Her Perilous Wolf by Julie Steimle (best e book reader TXT) 📕

“There is nothing wrong with old fashioned,” the Elf said before strolling away with Daniel. Daniel cast his sister an apologetic shrug. And yet watching them, Audry had a feeling those two were a couple—which was insane as it was most entirely unequal. The Elf seemed stuck to Daniel in a way, though Audry was not sure how. He wasn’t telling her what to do. But she was following him like someone love struck.

Lowering her voice, cheeks coloring, Silvia whispered, “Ok, ok. Howie, the best thing I can do is tell you to get her a bodyguard.”

“Like who?” Rick asked, as this was his point. He turned to Audry. “You still have your PhD to finish. I’d hire Piranha to go with you, but I think the CIA has prior claim.”

“Sorry,” Piranha said, waving over, clearly overhearing them. She was standing with Tom who had been keeping distance from the Elf also. He seemed utterly cowed by Brigidt—which was a first. Nearly nothing intimidated him. Piranha was not so much. But then, the Elf was looking at him as if she knew him already.

“And Bobo is keeping Troy in check,” Rick added with a cringe. “He’d be my first pick.”

Audry raised her eyebrows at that, knowing Troy was a vampire now. Of course Rick would have Bobo guarding her if he could. Nothing could hurt the guy.

“How about she stay with Selena Davenport?” Michael suggested, strolling over to interject himself into the conversation. “I hear she still lives in the city. We can go with you and talk to her.”

Tom lifted his head and smirked. So did Piranha. Audry wondered why it amused them. However, she noticed Vincent massaging his forehead as if there was something awkward about that. And for that matter, Tommy Whitefeather averted his gaze as if something amused him also.

Rick noticed. “What’s the joke? Audry’s stayed with her before.”

Tom nodded. “No. No problem. It’s the best choice.” Yet he continued to suppress what looked almost like a snicker. It did not bode well when Tom found something that amusing. It was either something that would cause trouble, or something truly hilarious.

“Maybe we should stop at the precinct first,” Andrew suggested. “For an official line up or something?”

Jessica shook her head. “The SRA were caught red-handed. No need. We’ll just need her testimony in court, as soon as it comes to trial.”

“Then to Selena’s,” Rick said. He looked to Audry, still worried for her. “Unless you just want to go home.”

Audry shook her head, hands raised. “No. I am not in the mood to face my mother right now.”

He nodded, chuckling. “Ok.”

“Should we all go?” Tom asked, smirking back at the cluster of people surrounding Rick and Audry. “We could make a party of it.”

Michael peeked to Vincent then Audry before he said, “No. Of course not. We can take her.”

“I’m coming,” Rick declared, unwilling to leave Audry yet.

“Do you want me to get your car?” Jessica asked, reaching out a hand to Audry for the keys again.

Chuckling, Audry nodded, passing them back. She then called for Darth who came running, panting happily while darting around them. He had been exploring the area, just excited to be among to many new smells.

“Where’s your car, Howie?” Andrew asked.

Rick shrugged. “Parking garage. I had taken the metro.”

Andrew nodded, smiling at him.

“Does that mean we are squeezing five people and a dog into the rent-a-car?” Vincent asked incredulously.

“You got a rent-a-car?” Audry approached him as the others cleared out.

He nodded, gesturing to Tommy and Michael as he headed toward the rented vehicle. “I had guests and we were driving into the suburbs to answer a panic call from you mom. There was no way we were going to take the bus.”

Audry laughed. Yet she peeked to Rick, realizing what she was stepping into. He was right next to her, much the way Darth had been during the trip from Kenya.

“You can back out any time,” Rick whispered near her, not quite taking her hand. “I will understand.”

But Audry placed her hand in his warm, large hand, gently squeezing it. “You’re not getting rid of me that easily, wolf.”

He smiled. It was involuntary, his eyes saying he still could not believe that she wanted him.

But she could believe it. It was so obvious to her now. Her entire life had been leading her to him. She just had to open her eyes and see that.

Chapter Nineteen

They were crammed in the back seat with Darth on top of Michael’s, Rick’s, and Audry’s laps. Darth was happy as anything, licking faces, smelling up people, and generally thrilled to be part of it all. Audry was incredibly aware of Rick’s leg pressed against hers, his hand clasping hers while the other one rested on Darth’s back. Darth’s tail spent much of the time wagging either in Audry’s face or in Michael’s as he moved around, his claws and paws pressing against their laps every time he shifted and jumped. And when they finally stopped at the curb, Audry took firm hold of his collar so he would not leap out suddenly onto the street. Rick seized the lead, making sure of it.

On the sidewalk, Michael sending texts ahead to let them know they were coming, everyone got out. Darth made his leap to freedom, yet did not get any further than the lead Rick was holding. Rick slid out after Audry, one arm around her waist.

Warm shivers went up from where his hands grazed across her back, reminding her that this man had stayed with her. It was a different feeling than she had with Hogan or Harlin. She knew with absolute certainty that though Rick was at the core a dangerous beast, he would never allow himself to harm her. Each careful touch from him let her know how much he cared about her. Not even Juma, who truly did like her with a respectful passion and devotion, left her feeling like this. Rick loved her.

It frightened her a little. And as they went inside to the elevator, Rick making sure Darth stayed with them, careful with her dog in a way she honestly found endearing, she wondered if indeed this would work. Part of her still questioned the sanity of falling in love with a werewolf.

Her mind played out all the scenarios. Setting aside the predictable harassment from a rogue government hunting union, she had to consider how her father and mother would react to the news that she was dating H. Richard Deacon III. Doug might be a degree annoyed, only because he knew Rick’s blood was toxic. But her mother’s family (who were either hippies or left-wing SJWs of varying degrees) would probably be put out she was falling in love with a multi-billionaire and heir to a multi-national corporation. However, her father’s extended family would react quite differently. Her cousins would mostly likely flip out about it and be extremely jealous. Her grandmother would plot for a huge wedding. There was no getting around that. But her grandfather… well, that part might be troublesome, as he liked to manipulate people. He might try for a business merger. But glancing at Rick, Audry knew right away that such a thing would never happen. Rick was principled.

They were up on Selena’s floor in no time. Audry hardly felt them arrive, though when the doors parted, she was breathing a little fast.

“Are you ok?” Rick whispered as they stepped off. “Are you sure you don’t want me to just take you home?”

Turning, gazing to him, Audry shook her head. “I’m fine. It has just been one of those days…”

Rick raised his eyebrows at her. “So… this sort of thing is common for you?”

She laughed, swatting him on his arm. “No. But I guess more frequently, yes. I’m a little exhausted, actually.”

“So am I…” He nodded.

Michael knocked at the door, then pressed the doorbell.

In less than a minute the door opened. But it wasn’t Selena in the doorway.

“Vicky?” Audry stared, then marched up, leaving Darth with Rick. Her eyes took in her cousin who was dressed in a casual pair of culottes and a tee-shirt. Vicky’s eyes had rested on Michael first, with a smile, so she did not even see Audry until after she said her name. Same time, Darth jumped after Audry, restrained well by the lead in Rick’s hand.

“Audry!” Vicky smiled only a little wider. She stepped aside to let them in, taking in all the other faces. “Come in. Selena’s in the kitchen trying to figure out what a vegan eats. She’s got a cookbook out and everything.”

Tommy grinned, stepping in first with long strides. Vincent went in next, sighing with resignation as he followed. Then Rick and Audry went in. Darth sniffed then licked Vicky as they urged him past. But Michael lingered in the doorway with Vicky. Vicky was hardly fazed.

Rick stared at Michael and Vicky alongside Audry as they stepped into the warm living area on a plush rug near the couches and a low glass coffee table, all of it tastefully furnished. “When did this happen?”

“A couple days ago,” Vincent murmured with a muted sigh, gazing at the wealthy and yet still mysterious young heir from San Diego. “There was nothing I could do. One minute I’m introducing them, just to be polite, the next minute they are exchanging emails and phone numbers. I think they have been texting each other this entire time.”

Their eyes widened on him, both astonished. 

Nodding, Vincent said, “I’m sorry. But Vicky sort of jumped into it all with Selena anyway. Those two had hit it off at a society meet-and-greet thingy Grandma Bruchenhaus insisted she and the cousins attend. In was inevitable.”

Rick’s jaw dropped a little, knowing exactly what circle of people Vicky would have encountered there. Of course someone like Vicky would gravitate to Selena. It was only natural.

“How much does she know?” Rick and Audry asked. They exchanged looks.

They could see Vincent cringe. “She knows Troy is a vampire. And I think Selena was completely honest with her about what she is. But as for the rest, I cannot say. I don’t know how much she believes. She’s not cynical like you and me.”

Audry closed her eyes, shaking her head. This was too much.

Rick massaged his forehead. “Do you need me to speak to Michael?”

“Good luck with that,” Vincent replied, plopping down on the couch while watching his sister and Michael finally close the door, yet linger together in animate conversation. “I think it’s too late.”

A sympathetic gaze rested on Rick’s face. There was something wolfish about his expression, shyly cautious and a little wounded. He looked over at Michael again and said, “I think I’ll say something to him anyway. Michael is a sensible guy. But he may need to be reminded of the risks.”

That moment, Selena came out of the side room with a tray full of chips, dip, bringing a savory Mexican corn and bean smell with her. She beamed as she set it down on the coffee table. Tommy came out a few steps after with glasses and a bottle of juice. Audry noticed lipstick prints on his cheek and a faint burgundy stain from a wiped-off one that had been planted on his