Chapter Twelve
‡
Vinea ducked out of sight from the Changeling Clan, and plastered her back against the wall. Marissa exited the kitchen with a tray of drinks in hand, and Vinea reached out to stop her.
“Can you do me a favor?” Vinea whispered.
“Sure. What’s wrong? You look pale.”
“I’m not feeling all that well. Can you take the drink orders for table nine? I have to use the ladies’ room really bad.” It was a lame excuse, but it was all she could think of right then.
“No problem. Let me give these drinks to table two, and I’ll swing by your table.”
“I owe you.”
Thankful her coworker didn’t ask any more questions, Vinea rushed to the bathroom. Once she checked she was alone, she swiped a hand over her head, hoping the short blonde haircut and overdone makeup would throw off Brother Jacob and John Ernst.
I can do this. Pretending to be out of breath, she rushed up to the table as soon as Marissa stepped into the kitchen.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, y’all.” She fanned herself and smiled, acting as if she had no idea Marissa had taken their drink orders. “What can I get you men?” Vinea patted her apron, supposedly looking for her pad. The accent was in honor of EmmaLee. Whenever her friend was tired, her southern phrases came out.
“Someone else took our drink orders.”
“Oh? Okay. Do you know what you want to order?” Vinea focused on the man next to Brother Jacob, not wanting to let on she knew that Jacob was the kingpin of the group.
“Can you give us a minute?”
“Take your time, y’all.”
Making sure not to run into her boss, Vinea returned to the restroom once more and then became invisible. Fingers crossed, she returned to hover over their table, hoping to hear something important. She couldn’t stay away for too long, as she didn’t need them asking her boss where their waitress had gone. Making certain to focus on each man—memorizing their features, their mannerisms, and how they reacted to Brother Jacob—she listened and once more wished she had worn a wire.
“Have we decided who’s next then?” Brother Jacob asked, glancing at each of the men at the table.
John Ernst nodded. “The Lake Steakhouse is packed every Saturday. I say we hit them up right after closing.”
“I agree. Let’s decide who should go in and who should stand watch.”
Thank you Brother Jacob for getting right to the point. With a nod, she landed in the bathroom, but someone was already there. Whoops. Trying once more to find a safe place, she pictured the outside alley. When she saw no one was there, she felt safe returning to her human self. The hard part was not looking suspicious when she returned through the back door.
Their cook, Ralph, didn’t even seem to notice when she snuck in, but perhaps her short blonde hair threw him off. Avoiding her boss and the other servers, she rushed to the table to take their order. The men seemed so engrossed in their conversation that they barely noticed her.
Vinea smiled. “I’ll place this order, but since my shift is ending, Marissa will finish up.”
Not waiting for them to complain, Vinea took off for the kitchen. Right before she entered, she ducked into the bathroom once more, and returned her hair to auburn and made sure not a speck of makeup was on her face. Heart still not back to normal, she painted on a smile and located Marissa before slipping out.
*
“So you believe her?” Connor asked.
Devon had given the events of the last few days a lot of thought. “Yes. There is strong proof that Vinea was at her trailer after she returned from the fiasco with Brother Jacob.” He explained about the message from the landlord. “She told me that Brother Jacob had grabbed her arm when she materialized.”
“It was a red moon, which means he transformed into her. Bastards.”
“Yes.” Devon was thrilled Connor believed that.
His brother leaned back in his seat. “So do you have a plan?”
“A plan?”
“About how to nail these bastards? I’m guessing Vinea is still willing to help?”
“Yes, but I don’t want her to go back to Brother Jacob’s again. It’s too dangerous.”
Conner’s eyes widened. “Okay, I didn’t expect that reaction. I’m guessing you’re falling for her again.” He shook his head. “You didn’t learn your lesson, did you?”
Devon’s hands clenched. “She’s changed. Until there is irrefutable proof she hasn’t, I will treat her with respect.” He’d do more than that, but he wasn’t about to mention it to Connor. His wolf was at the end of his rope, but it wasn’t just the sexual release he yearned for. He wanted Vinea in his life.
Thank goddess you’ve come to your senses, his wolf cheerfully exclaimed.
In reality, it was a relief finally to mentally say those words. His cock hadn’t deflated in weeks, and his nails were constantly in a sharpened state. If he didn’t get some reprieve soon, he’d go crazy.
“It’s your life,” Connor warned.
This negativity wasn’t doing them any good. Tell him. Devon leaned forward. “I know this will sound crazy, especially since Vinea is a goddess and all, but the reason I keep defending her is because I believe she’s my mate.”
Connor dropped back his head and laughed. “You’re joking, right?”
“No. I’m not. I can’t deny it any longer. It was why she was able to fool me in the first place. She does something to me. I swear she put a spell on me the last time.”
Connor waved a hand in front of Devon’s face. “It’s because she is a goddess. She can do those things. What makes you so sure she isn’t doing it to you now?”
“Give me one thing she’s done since she’s returned that proves she’s in cahoots with the Changelings or out for some personal gain? She has given good intel.”
Connor glanced to the side and leaned back in his chair. “I can’t, but that doesn’t prove that she’s good now either.”
Devon shrugged. “She risked exposure by going out to California. Can you imagine what would have happened if the Changelings had gotten a hold of that much sardonyx?”
“I don’t want to even think about something like that.”
“Trust me, she wants to help. I can see it in her eyes. She’s a good person now.”
Connor held up his hands. “I hope you’re right, but please don’t do anything rash.”
“I don’t intend to bite her if that’s what you mean.” At least not for a while. The problem was that her scent never left him. At night, he could barely sleep, picturing her perfect tits, her delicious scent, and her curvaceous body. He needed her desperately.
Even though she’d kissed him, Devon wasn’t certain she wanted to be saddled with him. His lifestyle wasn’t conducive to having a great relationship—or so many women had told him.
“Good,” Connor said, sounding rather smug.
A knock sounded on Connor’s door. His brother glanced over at him and shrugged. “Come in.”
Vinea walked in, and Devon’s cock shot to attention. His wolf howled and clawed for release. Even though she was still wearing her Silver Lake Café waitress outfit, she looked beautiful. Devon shot to his feet. “Did something happen?”
She glanced at Connor first and then back at Devon. “I need to speak with you—in private.”
“If you found out anything, just tell me. It will save an explanation to my brother afterwards.” Devon hoped that Connor would be willing to put aside his prejudices and listen to her.
“Fine.” She clasped her hands in front of her and worked them into a knot. “I was at work at the café when Brother Jacob, John Ernst, and four other men came into the restaurant.”
His pulse spiked. “Oh, shit. Did they recognize you?”
“No.” She explained how another waitress took their orders while Vinea ducked into the bathroom and redid her hair and makeup. “I’ll show you.”
One second, her hair was long, auburn, and sexy as hell, and the next she wore a short blonde bob and a ton of eye makeup.
“Holy shit,” Connor said. “You don’t look the same at all.”
Vinea nodded. “That was my plan. I was worried the most about John Ernst. He sat across from the other me at McKinnon’s Pub, or so you said. That would have given him a chance to memorize what I looked like.”
Connor nodded. “Did you overhear anything?”
She shot a quick glance at Devon. “Yes. Devon said not to visit Jacob’s house, but he said nothing about keeping a low profile when I was at work.”
Wasn’t she the clever girl? “So you hovered about their table?” Please say yes.
She smiled. “As a matter of fact I did. And I worked really hard not to become distracted. I couldn’t be gone too long, but I learned that on Saturday night, the Changelings plan to rob the Lake Steakhouse after they close.”
“What?” Connor said. “Are you sure?”
Devon was pleased Connor didn’t scoff at her and call her a liar. “Positive. That’s all I know since I had to wait on their table, and I couldn’t be two places at once.”
Connor grabbed his phone. “I need to let Kalan know. If we can catch them in the act, it might make them think twice about pulling another heist.”
Vinea held up a finger, worry crisscrossing her features. “Unless they wanted me to think that was their plan.”
“You said they didn’t recognize you,” Devon said, worry sinking into his gut.
“I don’t think they did, but perhaps they believed their invisible mystery woman might be around.” She held up a finger. “The Vinea of old would have tried that misdirect.”
He had to hand it to her; she was trying to help them. “They didn’t mention any other place?”
“No, but I’d make sure the police beef up surveillance all around town. There have to be other places that have a sizeable amount of cash.”
Devon addressed Connor. “Can Jackson use his drone to do some surveillance, not only on Saturday but each day this week? We might be able to see them checking out different places.”
“That’s a good idea.” Connor nodded at Vinea. “Thank you.”
She smiled warily. “Any time.”
Devon pushed back his chair. “How about coming to my office with me? I’m sure Connor has work to do.”
“Sure.”
There was something about her rushing over to see him that had his juices flowing, along with a few other body parts standing at attention.
Told you, his wolf shouted with way too much cheer, but this time Devon was willing to admit he’d been wrong.
“Have you eaten?” he asked as he escorted her inside his inner sanctum.
“No. I came straight from work. I figured we couldn’t afford to waste time.”
He liked the we. “Would you like to have dinner at my place?”
“Is Androf evil?”
He laughed. “How about I order something to go, pick it up, and take it back to the guesthouse? You can meet me there in say an hour, unless you’d like to come with me?”
“Not if there’s a chance someone could see us together.”
“You’re right.” Being this close to her was really messing with his ability to think.
“Besides, I need to check if I have heat,” she said.
“If you don’t, pack a bag.”
Vinea clasped his arm, and the heat from her touch seared him. “Only if you let me sleep on the couch. I don’t want to take your bed away from you for two nights in a row.”
“Ain’t going to happen, Goddess Lady.” He tapped her nose. She must have no idea that his protective sensors were now in high gear.
“We can discuss it later. I’ll see you in an hour.” She winked.
With a quick nod, she was gone. Her ability to disappear like that was so awesome. Too bad it was such a dangerous talent. Even Vinea didn’t know the extent of her capabilities or whether she was still immortal. Now that he’d found his mate, he wasn’t going to let her go.
He stopped back at Connor’s office and knocked. “I’m heading out.”
“Hot date with Vinea?” Connor sounded snarky.
“Actually yes, asshole. I invited her to my place. I’m picking up something to eat. She was the one who suggested we not be seen together since she doesn’t want to draw attention to McKinnon and Associates.” He studied his brother. “You could work on not being such a stubborn dick. I realize you want to protect me, but I got this. Just try to give her a chance, please. For me?”
His brother’s eyes closed for a second as he exhaled loudly. “I’m glad she’s being careful.”
“Me too.”
“By the way, I talked with Kalan. He said the sheriff’s department wouldn’t be able to spare any more men to stake out other potential targets, but they will be ready Saturday night at the Lake Steakhouse.”
“Which means it’s up to us to help.”
“Looks that way.”
Devon left and headed straight to the restaurant. Before he went inside and ordered food, he walked around the perimeter to see where the Changelings would most likely enter. If they intended to rob the place after closing, the only viable entry point would be the back entrance. Instead of breaking down the door, all they had to do was wait for the owner to leave with the cash and attack.
Devon would have to ask if Jackson could string up some extra surveillance cameras around the restaurant. Tomorrow, his team would discuss other possible targets. If the Lake Steakhouse was a diversion, they needed to be ready.
Once Devon understood the logistics of the place, he went inside and ordered two take out dinners. If Vinea didn’t like the steak, he’d give her his lasagna.
Once his order was ready, he drove home, careful to check his rear view mirror. He wouldn’t be surprised if the Changelings decided to create some chaos by attacking a McKinnon. Devon had to make sure that if they came after him, he could keep Vinea safe.