Soar

“Keep the change.” I shoved a couple bills in the driver’s hand before helping Casey out of the cab. She unlocked the doors to her building and we stepped into the lobby.

“Want to walk me up?” She cocked her head to one side.

“Yeah, of course.” I wasn’t leaving her until I knew she was home safely.

“Great, let’s go.” She took my hand and practically dragged me up the three flights of stairs. Normally, I’d have loved it, but knowing I had to say no really sucked.

We stopped outside her apartment. “I had a great time tonight.” She hesitated with a hand on the door. “I don’t want to say goodnight though.”

“Me either, but we have to. I’ll see you for my coffee tomorrow morning.”

“You promise?” Her eyes were asking about more than my coffee stop. She wanted assurance I’d be taking her out again.

“Yes. Let’s do dinner next time.”

She smiled. “Good night, Toby.”

“Good night, Casey.” I kissed her on the cheek and high-tailed it down the stairs before my chivalrous side lost out to my need to answer the lust rolling off her in waves. Damn my determination to be a gentleman.

“I’m surprised to see you leaving so soon.” Eric stepped out of the shadows before I could start looking for him. There was no chance in hell I was leaving her in that state with a bear outside her door.

“Why’s that?”

“I saw the way she was looking at you. There was only one thing on her mind.”

“I don’t take advantage of girls.” I kept walking. If he wanted to talk, he’d follow, and the further I could get him from her apartment, the better.

“Was she drunk?”

“Spell from The Sprite House.”

He growled. “I hope you didn’t set it on her intentionally.”

“If I did, would I be leaving her alone in her bed right now?”

“True enough,” he grunted. “Are you having her place watched?”

“Yes.” I wasn’t going to beat around the bush.

“We’re watching it too.”

“Why?”

“She’s important.”

I stopped walking. “What does she mean to you?” I didn’t believe any of his interest was random.

“She means something to us.”

“Real helpful.” I played with my keys in my pocket. It was time to show my cards. I needed more information. “You were there that night… I know you were.”

He watched the passing traffic, his eyes anywhere but on my face.

I pressed further. “The wolf.”

“Wolves. It’s the same pack.” He finally turned back to look at me. “They keep coming by when she works.”

“Why is she being targeted for a kill?”

“We don’t know it was for a kill.” His hands balled into fists. His anger made him slightly more believable.

“You think they wanted to take her?”

“What is this to you? Do you have some sort of hero’s obsession now?” he asked as though I were the one with the problem.

“I saved her because I wasn’t going to let some innocent girl get mauled. Where the hell were you? I know you were in there.”

“Indisposed.” He said the word with distaste.

I grinned. “You almost let her get mauled or kidnapped because you were taking a shit?”

“Obviously, it didn’t matter. You just happened to be around.”

It didn’t take long to figure out what was going on. He was angry at himself for missing his chance to protect her. “Why are you so worried about her?”

“Same reason you are.”

“Which is?”

He looked over his shoulder, double checking no one was behind us even though we both would have sensed it. “She’s perfect. A f**king wet dream for a mate.”

“You’re not taking her for a mate.” The thought made me sick.

“I’m not?”

“No. Stay away from her.” Once again, I felt the urge to transform. I’m sure my eyes were already turning black.

“Chill out, Toby. We’re on the same side—for now.”

I breathed in and out. Transforming on the street could have some bad repercussions. “How do you see that?”

“We both want her alive and safe.”

“And do you have suggestions? Aside from keeping her under constant guard. We’re doing that already.”

“Nothing concrete yet, but you’re thinking exactly what I am.”

“Which is?” I turned the corner.

“The attacks relate. Casey being targeted ties in somehow.”

I nodded. Not wanting to admit I agreed, but having the same logic moving through my head. “Maybe, but what could an ordinary human have to do with it?”

“I don’t know but I plan to find out.”

“Does your uncle know?” I already knew the answer, but I had to ask.

“He knows something. He’s not talking about it though.”

“And the attacks?”

“I don’t know. I can’t imagine he’s behind them. He’s not for hurting humans. Especially not women.”

“I can agree there. He definitely enjoys them.” Marv would probably never settle down with a mate, human or otherwise. Lots of bears mate with their own kind, but more often, they’ll pick a human. It’s a much larger pool to choose from.

My mind swam with questions, but I knew I wasn’t going to get any answers from Eric that night. “Keep me posted, but don’t screw with Casey.”

“Why? You can’t handle the competition?” he taunted.

“You’re not competition, but you scare her. I don’t want her scared.”

“Who would have thought old grandpa killer could have a heart?”

I resisted the urge to punch him. “Shut the hell up.” I wasn’t proud of what I’d done, but I had no other choice.

“Gladly. If you hear from Casey, tell her I expect to see her at work tomorrow bright and early.”

“Not if I have anything to do with it,” I grumbled. Who was I kidding? Would I ever tell her to quit her job? And if Eric was telling the truth at all, she was safer there than any other coffee shop. When a Urusus decides he wants a girl as a mate, he doesn’t let her get hurt. The same can be said for a Pteron. I stalked off. I had three men watching her place. I’d know if anyone got too close.