Chapter Six

 

He’d known as soon as he’d seen Cassie, his heart wished it wasn’t true, but it his mind he knew the truth. Celia was their body. Now he had to tell this sweet woman that her hope was in vain. This was one of the things he hated most about the job.

“You’ve found her, haven’t you?” Cass whispered brokenly. “That body was her, wasn’t it?” She asked with more conviction.

“We don’t know for sure yet,” West began but was quickly cut off.

“Let me see her. I’ll identify the body and can’t you do some DNA comparison and see we’re related? They do that on TV at least.”

West smiled sadly. “Let’s start off slow. Are you sure you want to identify the body?”

“Yes, I’m the only family she has…” Cass sighed. “Had left. I think I already knew it, you know? I mean something told me she was gone, I just didn’t want to believe it. If she had been able to she would have contacted me. No way would she go this long.”

This sucked, West thought as he searched around for something to give to the silently crying woman in front of him. Rook was faster and already across the room grabbing napkins from the small bar on the other side of the room.

“Thanks, Rook,” she said shakily.

“If you want we can make arrangements tomorrow and I’d like to ask you some more questions, as well.”

Cass nodded and stood. “Is it okay if I go? Are we done?”

“Yes, go ahead and I’m sorry for doing this tonight here and now. It hadn’t been my intention.”

“It was probably for the best, to be honest. This is my family, here I have the support I need.” She gave a watery smile and turned to head back to the main area, wiping the tears that continued to pour down her cheeks.

“Rook, I swear, this was not the proper way to do this.” West growled in frustration and anger. “We don’t normally inform family in the middle of a strip club that that their deceased sister was found.”

Rook grunted in reply and stood to follow Cass. “All I did was come for a beer and to ask some questions. Never intended to tell her about that body or anything.”

“Where the hell you going now?” West frowned and stepped closer. “Why are you constantly running away from me?”

Rook let out a weary chuckle that made West’s pants tighten a little uncomfortably. “I don’t think you’re ready for that answer yet.”

West watched the sexy swagger of Rook’s ass he walked back down the hallway to the main bar area. Never had he seen a man that both excited and annoyed him as quickly as Rook did. Why did the bastard have to be so damn vague and frustrating, he thought, as he stormed after him to demand a response that actually made some sense.

He stopped short as he came through the door and saw Rook with his arms wrapped around the shoulders of a slim blond haired Adonis. West growled and took a step closer before he realized what he was doing. He glared at the two men as he made his way back to the bar and flopped down on a vacant seat off to the side. He was a glutton, he admitted, as he turned his head just enough to see Rook out of the corner of his eye.

“What can I get you?” A soft voice asked, startling West out of his thoughts.

“Beer, would be great, please.”

“Coming up” she said as she followed his eyes to Rook’s place.

Rook and the Adonis weren’t doing much talking, they weren’t kissing, but they were holding onto each other as if they never wanted to let go.

“It’s nothing,” the same soft voice said as she placed a bottle in front of him.

West turned and cocked one eyebrow in confusion. “Pardon me?”

She smiled and nodded towards the spot he’d been staring intently. “That’s nothing is all I meant. Rooks a giver and caretaker of sorts. Everyone knows if you need a hug or someone to listen, he’s the best. Don’t get me wrong he’s an enforcer for the pack, because he’ll kick your ass too. He’s what I’d call in tune with himself.”

“Why are you telling me all this? I just met Rook today and I have no idea who the boy is.”

“Okay, I gotcha. Well, just in case you’re curious. That boy as you called him is nineteen and just had his heart ripped out. His girlfriend dumped him to go to school a few states away.”

West frowned. “So, he came to Rook?”

“Yeah, he may not talk much, but what he does say is usually just what you need to hear.”

“You know people keep telling me he doesn’t talk much, but I haven’t seen that at all. He’s a bit of a flirt I’ll admit, but not quiet.”

The bartender gaped at West. “Flirt?”

“Yes, why is that so astounding?”

“Because I’ve known that man all my life and he’s barely spoken to me and I’ve never seen him flirt with anyone ever. Don’t get me wrong, he’s been there for me more times than I can count, but you’re talking about things that are completely foreign to the man I know.”

“Hey, Jess, beer?” Rook asked as he walked up into the silence that had fallen after her last words.

“Sure. He okay?”

“Will be,” Rook replied as he sat down and glanced to West with a frown.

“Why are you frowning at me now?” West grunted out as he grabbed his bottle to take a swig. “And why are you ordering a beer?”

“I’m thirsty and I can’t figure you out.”

“No beer, concussion remember.”

Rook rolled his eyes. “Shifter remember. I’m fine, already healed and feeling fine.” He sighed and stood back up. “Jess, never mind.” He waved her off as he headed out of the bar.

West frowned, dropped a few bills and raced out after him. He caught the infuriating man a few steps outside, grabbed him by the arm and spun him so they were face to face.

“What’s going on?” West demanded.

“You really want to do this now?” Rook asked with a cocky grin as he indicated the area around the two men.

West started to shrug and say yes, when he glanced around and caught his breath in surprise. Jess and a few patrons were in the doorway of the club, two bouncers and the boy were standing just outside openly staring and three--no four people--were a few feet away standing by the cars, all watching intently, not even trying to hide their curiosity and fascination with the show they were being treated to. “What the hell,” he whispered.

“Shifters, West. They can hear us so no need to be quiet. Not to mention they know shit even you don’t. They can smell emotions.”

West glanced to Rook and froze in embarrassment. “Um….”

“Yes, anger, frustration, lust...all of it.” Rook grinned and winked to West. “It’s all good though.”

“What does that mean?” West asked in confusion.

“Nothing for now. Just trust me on this one. I’ve gotta go. I’ll be by the station at two tomorrow like you asked to answer your questions for the case.”

West glared as Rook started to walk off. “The paramedics let you go because you weren’t going to be alone. You have a concussion and have to be woken up every hour.”

“No concussion, but feel free to call me then, but if you do, you better make it worth my while,” Rook called over his shoulder as he kept walking.

“That’s what I’m talking about,” Jess catcalled from her spot in the doorway.

West turned to see her smiling at him as she nodded to the group of bouncers.

“I’d never have believed it,” one of the men said in awe and the others quickly agreed.

“What?” West demanded in frustration.

“Never seen him talk so much, or react to anyone the way he does you. Rumor has it you’re his mate and now I agree too.”

West grunted, waved goodbye and headed to his car. He knew a little bit about shifters, but he’d never heard the term mate before today. Now every time he turned around someone else was using it in context to him and Rook. It was time to do what he did best and get answers.