Unconditional Read online

  Josh made himself step to the side, placing his hand on Michelle’s shoulder. Her brows were up as she glanced back and forth between them both.

  “Sorry, wolf stuff.” Gabe shrugged, his smile still in place.

  She took his hand, shaking it.

  “If you don’t mind my saying so, you don’t look well.” Gabe examined her closely.

  “The spell that was used was…wrong. Gage told me it should wear off in a bit.”

  “How about you eat something? I was just about to head home to see my babies. Why don’t you and Josh come along? Nick said he was going to grab some Chinese on the way to meet us. I’ll call and tell him to get extra.”

  “Gabe, Nick and Tracy have two daughters. And a dopey three-legged dog named Milton who guards them with his life.”

  Gabe laughed. “He’s really fond of all the food they drop. What do you say? You can fill us in on what you know. Maybe we can brainstorm something.”

  “Are you sure?”

  Gabe smiled, charming. “Of course. Nick would only whine about me and Tracy having met you and him not yet. He’s a handful that way.”

  Her phone rang. “Excuse me a moment. This is Gina.”

  She answered and turned to where she’d been sitting at his desk.

  “Are you all right?” Gina asked.

  Michelle took a deep breath. “I think so.”

  “I’d like to see you. To do a quick check of your shields and your aura. I want to be sure you’re unharmed. I know Gage told you we’re learning all this as we go.”

  “Tell her to come to my house for lunch. She can check you there.” Gabe announced this without so much as a pardon me for listening in on your phone call.

  “You’ll get used to that. Tell him what your limits are. He might even remember it. But don’t count on it. Wolves, especially male wolves, are ridiculously overprotective. I’ll grab Damon and we’ll meet you at their place in a few.”

  She hung up and looked back at both men, who stood, arms crossed over their chests, only making them appear more imposing.

  “I’ve seen that one before. Lots of perps do that.” She put the phone into her pocket and stood. She was still a little dizzy but at least nausea had retreated some and she didn’t have double vision anymore. “Also, it’s rude to eavesdrop.”

  Josh grinned at Gabe, who raised a brow.

  “Gina is right. We’re really nosy and overprotective. We have great hearing so it’s hard not to eavesdrop on a phone call. It comes in handy sometimes though. There’s a bright side.”

  Gabe Murphy appeared to be a bigger handful than Josh, which said a lot. Little tiny Tracy must be a powerhouse to keep him in line.

  “We’ll meet you at your place.” Josh nodded at Gabe, who waved one last time and disappeared.

  “If you need to rest, they have extra bedrooms. It’s a soothing place they’ve got. Warded by the Owen witches just months back. It’s safe and quiet. It’ll do you good. You’ll like Nick.”

  “They’re your family, right? So this is like…meeting your dad? Your other dad, since I already met Gabe.”

  He took her face in his hands and kissed her quickly. “Sort of, I guess. Don’t be nervous, all right?”

  She sighed as he took her bag. “Maybe if this last week hadn’t been filled with kidnapping, dark magic, attacks and death, I might be more worried. At this point, I’m just happy to be somewhere no one will try to kill me for a little while.” She looked him askance. “No one will, right? I mean there’s no battle to the death or anything like that?”

  He burst out laughing as they headed out to his car. “Nope. Just a dog, some toddlers and alpha wolves.”

  One of the girls, Rose, the two-year-old, had settled next to Michelle, reaching out to pat her hand from time to time. It was pretty freaking adorable. And it eased some of her nervousness.

  Not that anyone had given her anything to be nervous about. Tracy, Nick—who looked like a model—and Gabe had been incredibly welcoming. Josh had stuck close. The girls were sweet and jolly, and the house was, just as Josh had said, soothing and calm, even with all the people in it.

  People. Ha. Weres had so much energy. Power coming off them in waves. She’d have known the difference in a crowd, between a human and a shifter. Funny how she never noticed it before. There had to be shifters in Roseburg for goodness’ sake, she’d just never been in any enclosed space or near enough to one. Or maybe she didn’t notice, or attribute it to any one person in particular.

  Whatever the case, when Gina arrived with another Owen witch, Rhonda, it was easy enough to tell the difference between their energy signatures.

  Rhonda was a nurse much like Allie, and it sent a slice of sadness through Michelle at the thought.

  “Let’s take a look at you.” Gina looked back over her shoulder to Tracy. “Can we use the office down here? It’s hard to get a good read with all this magick around.”

  “Oh, of course!” She opened the door and let them in. Rhonda closed it and magick rushed through the room.

  “I’m just going to look you over, all right?”

  Michelle nodded, watching Rhonda and Gina, seeing how they drew energy and used it.

  It didn’t take very long, less than three minutes or so, before Rhonda’s gaze sharpened and she looked into Michelle’s eyes.

  “You’re all right. Nothing permanent. I expect you’ll feel nauseated for a bit. Whatever was done was unnatural. A gross misuse of energy and power. It’ll rebound eventually if the caster was human or witch. I don’t know though. There’s something else here that seems more than stolen magic. This is…” Rhonda licked her lips as she thought. “To aim a spell like that, to cause one person to harm another, much like what they did in the convenience store, it takes a lot of power and focus to do something like that.”

  “Do you think there’s something else helping? Another sort of paranormal we don’t know about?”

  “We need to talk to Gage and Lark about this. And Josh too. He’ll want to protect the pack, as will the Alphas.” Gina ran hands through her hair and still looked gorgeous afterward. If Michelle had done that she’d look like a hobo.

  “Let’s have Josh come in when we call Gage. I don’t want the children to hear.”

  “Good idea.”

  She went out to get Josh, Gina right behind her, but found yet another woman touching him when they got to the dining room. Only this one wasn’t touching him like a friend. She looked up into his face like she wanted him to kiss her, and her back was arched like she was trying to brush her boobs against him.

  Something hot and unpleasant ran through her veins at the sight.

  Tracy was speaking quietly to Josh and the woman, but it was Josh who turned and started. “Michelle.”

  “So glad you remembered my name. I’m going to make a call to Owen. I thought someone from the pack might want to be present. If you’re not too busy.” She turned and walked back into the office.

  Gina closed the door and leaned against it. “I need to talk to you about this whole thing. Wolves are…casual about their affections. But with the one—the one as in the forever one—it’s different.”

  Josh tried to open the door, Gina poked her head out. “Back off. I’ll let you know when you can come in.” And closed it in his face.

  He knocked. “Michelle, let me in. I want to explain.”

  “Wolves. Pushiest motherfuckers on Earth.” Gina opened again. “Do you need to be put on a time-out? Back. Off.” This time Michelle heard Tracy’s laugh as she told Josh to be patient.

  “As I was saying. I know who the female with Josh just now is. She’s been into Josh for years. But he’s never made any promises to her. You are not her. Do you understand?”

  Michelle shook her head. “No. I don’t. It wasn’t anything. I just felt…jealous, I guess. It sucks. I don’t like it.”

  Gina laughed. “Gurl. I hear you. It’s part of that connection you have with Josh. I can see it. Anyone can. I’m
trying to say…God, how do I say this?”

  Michelle rolled her eyes. “Josh got around. There will be lots of ladies everywhere we go who’ve taken him for a long ride.”

  Both of them laughed at that.

  “Be that as it may. You are not them. The difference will be apparent immediately if he’s standing with you. Word will get out. Once people know he’s, um, in a relationship with you, a real one, they’ll back off. Wolves are orderly even as they are bossy and possessive and overbearing. Our wolves anyway. There are beta wolves. Damon and Josh aren’t that kind.”

  Gina took Michelle’s hand and squeezed it. “I like you. We’re glad you’re around and we want to keep it that way. We understand that a lot of this will be new to you and we just want to help. Explain what we can, when it’s necessary.”

  “So the blonde out there used to bang Josh, but now that I’m around she’ll stop petting him?”

  Rhonda laughed. “Yes, you’ll fit in just fine.”

  Josh came into the office. “If you don’t mind.” He gave Gina a look and she waved it away. “I’d like to talk to Michelle alone for a few minutes.”

  Rhonda and Gina strolled out. “They heal pretty fast,” Gina called out as she shut the door in her wake, leaving them alone.

  “Did she just encourage you to kick me or something?”

  “Depends. Did you do something you need kicking over?”

  He took a deep breath and stepped closer. “No. Will you let me explain?”

  She shrugged, feeling like a dumbass.

  “I was not a virgin when you came to Portland. You ought to know, I lost it with you anyway. She’s my past. On and off. Never serious.”

  “Did you use a condom with her too?” Holy shit. Did she actually say that out loud?

  He stilled. “What?”

  “I don’t know an awful lot about shifters, but I do know they don’t get or give STDs and they can scent when a female is fertile so you guys don’t usually suit up. But when you’ve been with me you have. I’m not at the fertile part of my cycle. So is it a thing? Like you don’t want to be naked in me? Or what?”

  It was like a bad dream where she was saying all this stuff and had no ability to stop herself. She finally put her hand over her mouth to stop.

  She was mortified because, hello, that was not the time and place. Wolves all over the place and they probably heard.

  She gathered her tattered self-control and faced him again. “This is not my first case and I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I don’t…I’m not prone to being jealous and saying stuff that is entirely inappropriate for the setting. I’m sorry. I’m so embarrassed.” She turned, her face in her hands.

  He came to her, enfolding her, his front to her back. Given the very hard cock at her ass, he wasn’t upset with her at all.

  “It’s all right. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. In fact, suffice it to say seeing you jealous and off balance actually makes me hot. Can we make this call to Owen and let them know what’s going on, and then you and I can go and talk? I’ll explain everything, I promise. Will you trust me enough to do that?” He kissed her temple and she leaned back against him.

  “They all heard me. I wish a hole would swallow me up.”

  He chuckled softly. “Beautiful, wolves are passionate. There’s lots of this stuff. All the time. I promise once we talk you’ll understand more.”

  She dragged in a breath and agreed.

  They made the call. In Seattle, Gage and Lark were both on it, along with Meriel Owen and her husband Dominic, who ran the Owen Clan of witches.

  They were fairly tight lipped, but they did indicate they believed there was something larger at work. Some big bad they didn’t know a whole lot about but were looking into. They urged Rhonda and Gina to teach Michelle some healing and defensive spells and told them to introduce her to Cesare, one of the Portland witches who was apparently a whiz at battle spells. Which should help with her police work.

  It was clear the witches in Seattle had an overflowing plate of trouble and they had to deal with this on their own. Which worried Michelle as she tried to imagine what would be worse than that spell she’d felt at the jail.

  Things just kept getting worse. Darker and more overwhelming. Which, she supposed, helped her keep in perspective that she’d sort of acted like a jealous dick earlier within the supernatural hearing range of a house full of wolves.

  Still, she kept her gaze averted as she ended the call. All around her there was conversation as she gathered her things. Gina hugged her and told her not to worry, Rhonda followed, whispering for Michelle to keep in touch.

  They headed toward the front door as she fought a blush and met Tracy, Gabe and Nick’s eyes, thanking them for their help and support.

  Tracy hugged her and spoke quietly. “Please don’t be embarrassed. It’s okay. I promise you.”

  She mumbled more thanks as they left, Josh’s hand at the small of her back, guiding her to his car. They both remained quiet as he pulled away and headed back to his place.

  Finally, once they’d been in the car a few minutes, Josh cleared his throat to speak, but before he could say anything, her phone rang and it was Dexter.

  She blew out a long breath before she answered. “Slattery.”

  “I’m going to overlook that little temper tantrum you threw earlier. HR tells me you put in for vacation?”

  “Yes, sir. I have plenty coming.”

  “I told you to leave this mess alone.”

  “With all due respect, sir, it’s only been a few days. There is no reason to give up. Especially when I’m taking vacation time and not using department resources.”

  “You’re a department resource. Chances are she’s run off with one of them. She’ll come back when she’s done, or when he dumps her.”

  “You don’t know her at all. She would never, ever do that. And if your prejudice didn’t color your judgment here, you’d know that. The scene does not point to a woman who ran off with a lover. Her wallet and identification were left behind. Her bank account has been untouched. She left her phone behind. She did not leave of her own accord and there is no way she would have left without telling her mother, her job or me. She’s totally responsible. She’d never leave her patients. She’s not the person you’ve decided she is in your head. I’ve known her my entire life and I will not abandon her when she needs me the most.”

  Josh put a hand on her knee. Comfort radiated through her system.

  “You’re walking a dangerous line here, Slattery. Insubordination looks bad on your record. We need you back here. You need to return. Or don’t bother.”

  “Are you threatening to fire me for taking vacation?” Thank heavens for her union which would fight that one big time.

  “I’m saying you need to report back here and we can talk about our staffing needs and you can take vacation after we take care of that detail.”

  All this nonsense simply because he wanted to control her! Hated Others so much that he was fine ignoring reality to bring her back and show her who held her leash.

  “I filed my vacation like anyone else. I have the time. I’m taking it. If you wish to attempt the process of termination, you know who my union rep is. Now, as I’m officially on vacation, I’ll be hanging up. Sir.” And she did before she said anything else.

  Normally she would have had to file papers to take vacation in advance. But when she’d called earlier, she’d checked and they’d given her an okay to take the time. Technically she had not broken any rules. And he was a bigoted asshole.

  She made a quick call to her union rep and filled him in on the whole mess. He told her not to worry, that he’d handle it if and when Dexter made a move and would be in touch if that happened.

  Josh pulled into his parking spot and turned to her.

  “What can I do to help?”

  “You’re doing it. I just…”

  “Do you need to go back? Be honest.”

  “I’m not going b
ack. I’m not a dog on a leash. He’s out of line, and I don’t want that job if the reality means I’d ignore evidence because of my own prejudicial thinking. I’m not leaving until I find her. It hasn’t been that long, damn it.”

  He pulled her into a hug and she held on tight.

  “Come inside and let’s talk.”

  Once they got inside he directed her to go change her clothes, which she had no argument with. She bundled into yoga pants and a sweatshirt with fluffy socks and left her hair in the braid she’d put it in after her shower earlier.

  Back in the living room, he pressed a warm mug into her hands. “Tea with whiskey. Sit.”

  She did and he followed, pulling her close. “I really wanted a different situation to talk to you about all this. You’re so stressed and it’s been such a horrible time.”

  “Not knowing whatever it is just makes it worse. Be honest. I may not like it, but damn it, there are too many things I don’t know right now and it sucks.” She took a sip and hissed. “Dude, you sure didn’t hold back with the liquor.” But the warmth that spread through her was welcome so she took another sip and braced herself for whatever it was he was about to spill.

  “I’m going to be detailed because I don’t know what you do and don’t know. So don’t be offended if I tell you things you already know.”

  Michelle made one of those get on with it moves with her hand and he snorted a laugh.

  “I don’t use condoms usually, no. I don’t because like you said, we don’t pass STDs and we can scent a female’s fertility.” He was so mad at Esme for that afternoon. She’d heard about his finding a mate because wolves were horrible gossips about that stuff, and when she’d learned he was at Tracy’s, she’d come to get a load of Michelle. Stupid.

  It had pushed his timeline up and at a time when Michelle really didn’t need any added stress.

  But it was what it was and he had to deal with it.

  “Normally, aside from being messy, it’s not a big deal to have unprotected sex with another female. I generally don’t…haven’t sought out non-shifter females. As you pointed out before, it’s too hard to hide what you are. My life is wrapped up with my pack and other wolves. Anyway.”