Chapter Eight
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“I’ve looked over what you have on this Slater Coghill man,” Ronan said. “He’s intriguing.”
Connor hadn’t expected that description. “Why do you say that?”
“He seems to be rather elusive. Says here there is no known address before he showed up in Billard, Georgia. In fact, I don’t even see a social security number for him.”
“I’m thinking he’s using an alias.”
“I thought the same thing. It makes it harder to trace him though. He probably has assumed another new alias by now.”
“I agree.” It was all the more reason to have Ronan on board.
Lexi’s brother flipped over the page and tapped it. “For some reason, this guy looks familiar.”
That was the first bit of good news he’d heard. “Do you think there are warrants out in other states on him? Is that where you’ve seen him?”
Ronan scratched his head. “I can’t say. It will come to me eventually. What would you like me to do first?”
“Had I known about your ability to track with your nose, I would have gone to his house and borrowed something of his.”
Ronan smiled. “I’m better when I meet the shifter in person first, but an object of his can work. Do you think EmmaLee has anything of Coghill’s with her?”
Connor’s stomach twisted. He hoped the hell not. She’d said she wanted nothing to do with him. “I can ask her.”
“Good.”
Connor’s cell rang. It was Kalan. “This might be good news.” He pressed the cell to his ear. “Hey, Kalan.”
“I called in a favor and found Timothy Delahart’s credit card number.”
“That’s great.” He picked up a pen off the desk. “Tell me.”
Kalan gave him the information. “I hope it helps.”
“I’m sure it will.”
“How’s EmmaLee?” Kalan asked.
“Good. In fact, she hitched a ride in this morning with Lexi, and she’s working away on one of the computers here at the office.”
“Perfect. Let me know if you need help with anything else.”
Kalan was such a stand up guy. “I will, and thanks.”
Connor disconnected and slid the paper across the desk. “We have the credit card number for your man. If you’d like, I can have Jackson check to see if any activity shows up on it.”
Ronan smiled. “Like I said; don’t make my job too easy.”
Connor laughed. “Trust me, knowing the man’s location at one point in time doesn’t mean you can catch him.”
“I know. Now it’s just a waiting game with Delahart. Do you mind if I question EmmaLee about Coghill?”
Connor was more than happy to turn that task over to him. Even being in the same building with her was enough to make his wolf ready to pounce. “Be my guest.”
*
EmmaLee was surprised when Ronan pulled up a chair. “So what are you working on?” he asked.
She’d read and reread the article that Jackson had given her and had just moved on to finding any more sightings of dragon shifters when he arrived.
“Dragon shifters.”
His eyes widened. “Did you find any?” he asked with total sincerity.
“I found an article that claims a dragon descended on Hickory, Florida and set a warehouse on fire after being confronted. I was in the middle of reading it when you arrived.”
“Any pictures?” Ronan asked, leaning forward.
“This one, but it’s just of the torched building.”
He leaned closer. “Click that link.”
She did and a very blurry photo of what looked like a dragon appeared. EmmaLee nearly lost her breath. The problem was that the animal was backlit by flames, casting him in a shadow, but the outline of his wing was clear. “What do you think?”
Ronan studied it. “Looks like a fake to me.”
Damn. She looked a little closer and noticed a small gap between the animal and the background. “I agree, but what tipped you off?”
“Not the photo per se, but a warehouse? Smells like arson to me. Sure seems like someone wants to point a finger at something else.”
She chuckled. “I think I would have picked an animal less obvious than a fire-breathing dragon.” Now was the time to find out what he knew. “You said you might have seen one?”
He chuckled. “Like I said before, I thought I had, but I’m convinced it was another ruse.”
That was disappointing. “Too bad. If you had the chance, would you want to meet one?”
“Yes and no. I have no idea if they really do shoot fire, but if they do, I wouldn’t want anything to do with them. A wolf would be fried to a crisp in seconds.”
She shivered at that thought. “I want to see one but only from afar.”
“I hear ya.”
“Thanks for not laughing at me.”
Ronan’s mouth curled downward. “Not me. Who around here makes fun of you?”
“Connor. He thinks the whole idea is ridiculous.”
Ronan leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. “I say that’s shortsighted of him. Since there are wolf and bear shifters, why wouldn’t there be dragon shifters?”
She liked this man. “Exactly. Connor says it’s because wolves and bears exist in the real world, and dragons don’t.”
“Can he prove dragons don’t exist?”
She chuckled. “Even I don’t believe they do. Their eating habits alone would make them too conspicuous.”
“Maybe you’re right. Change of subject. Do you mind if I ask you a few questions regarding the man who harmed you?”
Acid dripped into her stomach at the mere thought of Slater. “Are you working with Connor on the case?”
“Yes.”
She’d told Connor everything, but if Ronan needed to hear it again, that was okay. “What would you like to know?”
“Where did Slater Coghill live before he moved to Billard?”
She stilled. “I asked him, but he said he lived in a lot of different places. He was a rather restless soul and liked to move around.”
“I see. When he lived in Billard, did he have any special place he liked to go?”
She thought his questions rather odd. “You mean by himself?”
“Or with you. Billard is in the mountains. I’m wondering if he had a cabin that he owned or liked to rent.”
“Yes! One of his good friends had a place in Darnell, Georgia.”
Ronan lifted his cell from his shirt pocket and made a note. “You don’t happen to have an address or the name of this friend, do you?”
She shook his head. “Slater called him Bubba. I know that doesn’t help.”
“It might.”
“You think he’s holed up there?”
Ronan smiled. “I guess I’ll have to find out. Last question. I know this is a long shot, but did you bring anything of his with you—like a shirt or something he held a lot?”
That was the strangest question to date. “No. I want nothing more to do with that man.” Her mind spun. “Do you work with a bloodhound?”
“No.” He stood. “Thanks for your time, and keep looking for those dragon shifters. I’d love to learn one exists, but I don’t want to get tangled up with one.”
“I totally agree.”
Ronan returned the way he came. She liked Lexi’s brother. He was open-minded, quite different from the way his sister had described him. Then again, siblings didn’t always share everything.
A short while later, Lexi entered the room. “I’m on my break. Do you want me to drop you off at home, or do you want to stay here until I leave at five?”
Since Connor didn’t seem to be too pleased that she’d stopped by, EmmaLee might be better off heading back to the house and not upsetting him further. “I’ll catch a ride back with you now, thanks.”
“Do you want to tell Connor you’re leaving?” Lexi asked.
She shrugged. “I don’t think he cares one way or the other.”
“You know that’s not true.” Lexi asked. “He must care if he watched over you for a few weeks.”
“It was a request from his brother. Remember, Vinea is my best friend.”
Lexi nodded. “What if I let him know that I’m driving you back?”
In a way, she wanted him to worry, but if he took the time to drive over to the guesthouse just to check, she would feel guilty. “Sure, if you want to.”
“Be right back.”
Lexi strode toward the hallway where the offices were located. As much as she had wanted to see where Connor worked, it was best not to dwell on the reserved man. She’d be better off to lay low until Slater was caught and then return home to her friends.
*
Around five, Connor had mentioned to Ronan that he was swamped with work, and the newcomer immediately volunteered to stand watch over EmmaLee. While Connor wasn’t really sure why Ronan agreed to the bodyguard job, he wasn’t going to turn down the offer. After meeting the man, he had full confidence that Ronan was too dedicated to his job to put the moves on her.
Almost three hours later, his wolf interrupted him. You should have told Ronan you and EmmaLee were mates.
Maybe, but I didn’t want to chance that piece of information getting back to her.
You are a chicken shit.
He was beginning to think that was true. Pushing his unwarranted concern aside, he believed Ronan enjoyed what McKinnon and Associates had to offer. Most likely, Ronan just wanted to prove he could be a team player, despite having worked on his own his whole life.
His wolf grunted. Did you forget that Ronan believes in dragon shifters? That alone could cause a bond to form.
Shit. If you think I’d tell anyone that EmmaLee is ours—other than Dad—you’re crazy.
What if Ronan asks her out? You act like you don’t like her, his wolf shot back. There’s no reason for him not to pursue her—or for EmmaLee not to accept.
Ronan won’t. He’s not that kind of guy.
Can you be positive? his wolf asked.
Fuck. Maybe he had screwed up. Showing up at her house right now would only make things more awkward between them. He had to trust that EmmaLee would not show any interest in the newcomer.
It’s almost eight. Why not take a break and get your head on straight? his wolf said. I don’t need you to mess things up for us permanently.
That was true. Connor was more convinced than ever that his thoughts were in the wrong place right now and that he was incapable of making rational decisions when it came to EmmaLee.
Heeding his wolf’s warning, he shut down his computer, slipped on his coat, and left.
Once in his car, he needed to decide where he wanted to go. If he went home, he’d want to go over to EmmaLee’s and check on her. Ronan had checked in once to say she’d provided him with some useful intel on Coghill. Hopefully, she hadn’t been holding back information, though she had no reason to do that.
Damn, this whole mate thing was clouding his mind, and he couldn’t allow it to make him miss asking important questions. He was always so thorough. The only solution was to put some space between them.
Instead of going home, he headed east, and ended up in the parking lot of McKinnon Pub and Pool. Connor could have spoken to Rye about his problem, but knowing his older brother, he’d suggest telling EmmaLee the truth about them being mates, and Connor was sure that would lead to disaster.
Because Finn wasn’t mated, he might have a better solution. And being a bartender, he was used to listening to a lot of people’s problems. Hoping his younger brother could help him make some sense out of everything, he went inside.
The bar had a fair number of people in it for eight o’clock on a Thursday night. As usual, his brother was at the bar pouring a beer for a customer. Connor slid on the end stool, not wanting to engage in conversation.
When his brother was free, he came over. “Haven’t seen you in ages—what’s the occasion?”
Finn always complained that Connor worked too hard. “Thought I’d enjoy some R&R. After a few weeks of bodyguard duty, I’m ready for a break. Lexi’s brother is watching her.” He smiled, hoping to convince Finn he was glad he didn’t have to be by EmmaLee’s side.
“Mom said EmmaLee is really nice. I take it you didn’t think so?”
“She’s nice if not a little out there.” He couldn’t say that the woman had already invaded his soul or that his wolf wanted her something fierce.
Finn laughed. “Out there? Too much to handle, huh?”
Finn clearly saw through his lie. Connor leaned forward. “Actually, yes. I’m really confused. She’s my client, but I’m highly attracted to her.”
“Ah, I see the problem. Maybe you should bring her by, and I can study how she reacts to you.”
Then Finn would know for sure they were mates. “She’d like that I’m sure.”
“Great.”
You came here to get his opinion, his wolf asked. Ask him.
He’ll say to tell her the truth. Fuck. So why didn’t he? He would just as soon as the moment was right.
“Can I just get a beer?” Connor asked.
Chicken, his wolf growled, but Connor didn’t respond.
“Coming right up.”
Finn turned away to reach for a bottle and popped off the cap. As he returned to place it in front of Connor, he noticed the dark circles under his brother’s eyes. So, Connor wasn’t the only one who hadn’t been sleeping well either.
Finn slid the beer across the bar. “Jackson and Ainsley were just in here, by the way. He was chatting up a storm about how sweet EmmaLee was. I have to say, her interests are quite intriguing.”
Dear goddess. He didn’t need the town to know what she was working on. “They are indeed. Tell me, have you been sleeping?” Connor asked, wanting to change the subject.
His brother glanced off to the side. “It’s on and off.”
The sudden seriousness of his tone caught Connor off guard. “Are you having nightmares or something?”
“Nightmares? No. It’s more like I hear this amazing and sensual voice in my head, and then I see this gorgeous auburn haired beauty floating above me. She beckons me, and my wolf wants her really badly.” He waved a hand. “I figure it has to be the stress of being the manager here that is causing it. I’ve never dreamt anything like that before.”
Finn never let stress get to him. “Have you ever met this woman before?”
“No, never, but I swear I can smell her scent, and trust me, she’s not in my room.” Finn leaned closer. “I get so excited I have to do something about it, and that’s not like me.”
Finn never lacked female companionship. “I’m sure there are a lot of women who would be willing to ease your pain.” Connor probably should take his own advice, but no one other than EmmaLee would satisfy him.
Finn shook his head. “That’s the thing. I don’t think it would help. I was thinking of seeing a shrink, but what could he do other than prescribe some meds, claiming I’m anxious, but I’m not. This woman seems so real.”
“Does she have a name?”
“Kaleena.”
That was spooky. Connor dreamed of people, but if he hadn’t met them, he didn’t name them. “What else does she say or do?”
His face reddened. “She says we’re meant for each other.”
Connor leaned forward in order not to be overheard. “Meant for each other? As in she’s your fated mate?”
Finn looked off to the side before answering. “I think so. I know this sounds crazy, but I asked if we could meet.”
“What did she say?” Connor dreamed about EmmaLee, and each time, she answered him. Finn might not be overworked but rather in need of a mate.
His brother pressed his lips together, clearly debating how much to tell. “That the time would come when we would no longer be apart.”
Maybe Finn was losing it. “What are you going to do?”
“Do? It’s not like I can ask you or Jackson to search for her. She’s not real.”
“Maybe she is. I’m thinking you’ve met her but don’t remember. Was there some hot woman who you saw in here who caught your wolf’s attention?”
Finn slipped the white bar cloth off his shoulder and polished the already clean bar. “Not that I can think of. Besides, this woman is different than a normal woman.”
Now Finn was beginning to scare him. “What do you mean?”
His brother lifted one shoulder. “She’ll be fully human one minute and then almost transparent the next.” A small smile appeared. “Once I thought she even had wings! Yes, I know I’ve lost it.”
EmmaLee never changed forms in his dreams. Connor finished half of his glass. “How about seeing if Ophelia will meet with you? Dev said she was amazing with Vinea, revealing all sorts of things.”
“I might have to do that. Not that I’m really big into spells and shit, but hell, I can’t go on like this.”
Here Connor thought he had problems being around EmmaLee. Finn just might have it worse.