real name. That’s what was important.
“Well, we know who he is now. He did a short stint in prison for fraud, but while inside he apparently got involved with a group called the Antiparanormal League. They’re not as big as the Aryan Brotherhood but they’re growing in numbers in the prison system. Do you recognize any of these guys?” Parker slid a few more pictures in front of her.
She concentrated and racked her brain, trying to remember if she’d ever seen the men in her store or loitering outside it. None of them looked remotely familiar. “No, I’m sorry.”
Parker sighed and put them back in a folder. “I’m actually relieved you don’t recognize them.”
“Did you find out anything else about this guy? Where he lives?” The edge in Liam’s last question was unmistakable.
Parker’s eyes narrowed and December knew it was because he didn’t like Liam’s presence. No matter what Liam did, Parker was going to be annoyed. “We found an old address, but he doesn’t live there anymore and you know I can’t tell you what it is anyway. This is
our
investigation, Liam. I don’t want you or any of your pack getting involved in this. We’re going to find this guy and prosecute him.”
Liam grunted.
Parker shook his head. “I’m serious. This all has to be done legally.”
“
You
do what you have to do, Sheriff.
I’ll
do what I have to.” Liam leaned back against the couch casually, but every line in his body was tense. He was like a coiled snake, ready to strike.
December fought off an unexpected shiver, drawing Liam’s attention to her again. “You okay?”
She didn’t like the feeling of being under a microscope and she really hated that he read her so well. It made her defenses go up without warning. “Fine,” she said through gritted teeth.
Parker started gathering his folders and stacking them into a neat pile. “Liam, you can clear out of here. I’ll be staying the night.” His voice was dismissive.
Her brother’s words hung heavy in the air. December wasn’t going to fight him if he wanted to stay. Parker had been looking out for her since they were kids. He was her one constant in life. Her family. She loved him more than anything. The thought of telling Liam to leave, however, punched a hole in her chest. She didn’t like imagining the hurt look on his face.
Sometimes he was hard to read, but other times he let her see exactly what he was feeling, and it was usually when she’d said something to reject him. If she told him to leave now, he’d take it as a personal affront. It was simply the way he was hardwired. From the overprotective way he’d been acting the past few weeks, she had no doubt he wanted to stay with her and protect her. Just like he’d done last night. If she chose her brother over him, it would hurt him. Even if she didn’t exactly understand why, she knew it deep in her core.
Before she could think how to formulate a response, Liam stood. “I’ll call you tomorrow, December.”
Her eyebrows pulled together as she looked at Liam. She searched his face trying to see what was going on in his head, but she got nothing. His expression was blank.
She flicked a quick glance at her brother. “I’m going to walk him out.”
Once they were at her front door, Liam grabbed his coat but didn’t make a move to leave. Instead he reached out and gently cupped her jaw.
Her heart pounded wildly against her chest. After the kiss they’d just shared, she desperately wanted a repeat even if the voice inside her told her it was stupid.
Instead of kissing her the way her body craved, Liam leaned forward and lightly pressed his lips to her forehead. “I’ll be thinking about you all night,” he murmured.
His words sent a ribbon of awareness curling through her, straight to the ache between her legs. By his knowing smile, she had no doubt he could smell her desire.
Stupid extrasensory abilities.
“I…” She didn’t want to return the sentiment.
“Well, we know who he is now. He did a short stint in prison for fraud, but while inside he apparently got involved with a group called the Antiparanormal League. They’re not as big as the Aryan Brotherhood but they’re growing in numbers in the prison system. Do you recognize any of these guys?” Parker slid a few more pictures in front of her.
She concentrated and racked her brain, trying to remember if she’d ever seen the men in her store or loitering outside it. None of them looked remotely familiar. “No, I’m sorry.”
Parker sighed and put them back in a folder. “I’m actually relieved you don’t recognize them.”
“Did you find out anything else about this guy? Where he lives?” The edge in Liam’s last question was unmistakable.
Parker’s eyes narrowed and December knew it was because he didn’t like Liam’s presence. No matter what Liam did, Parker was going to be annoyed. “We found an old address, but he doesn’t live there anymore and you know I can’t tell you what it is anyway. This is
our
investigation, Liam. I don’t want you or any of your pack getting involved in this. We’re going to find this guy and prosecute him.”
Liam grunted.
Parker shook his head. “I’m serious. This all has to be done legally.”
“
You
do what you have to do, Sheriff.
I’ll
do what I have to.” Liam leaned back against the couch casually, but every line in his body was tense. He was like a coiled snake, ready to strike.
December fought off an unexpected shiver, drawing Liam’s attention to her again. “You okay?”
She didn’t like the feeling of being under a microscope and she really hated that he read her so well. It made her defenses go up without warning. “Fine,” she said through gritted teeth.
Parker started gathering his folders and stacking them into a neat pile. “Liam, you can clear out of here. I’ll be staying the night.” His voice was dismissive.
Her brother’s words hung heavy in the air. December wasn’t going to fight him if he wanted to stay. Parker had been looking out for her since they were kids. He was her one constant in life. Her family. She loved him more than anything. The thought of telling Liam to leave, however, punched a hole in her chest. She didn’t like imagining the hurt look on his face.
Sometimes he was hard to read, but other times he let her see exactly what he was feeling, and it was usually when she’d said something to reject him. If she told him to leave now, he’d take it as a personal affront. It was simply the way he was hardwired. From the overprotective way he’d been acting the past few weeks, she had no doubt he wanted to stay with her and protect her. Just like he’d done last night. If she chose her brother over him, it would hurt him. Even if she didn’t exactly understand why, she knew it deep in her core.
Before she could think how to formulate a response, Liam stood. “I’ll call you tomorrow, December.”
Her eyebrows pulled together as she looked at Liam. She searched his face trying to see what was going on in his head, but she got nothing. His expression was blank.
She flicked a quick glance at her brother. “I’m going to walk him out.”
Once they were at her front door, Liam grabbed his coat but didn’t make a move to leave. Instead he reached out and gently cupped her jaw.
Her heart pounded wildly against her chest. After the kiss they’d just shared, she desperately wanted a repeat even if the voice inside her told her it was stupid.
Instead of kissing her the way her body craved, Liam leaned forward and lightly pressed his lips to her forehead. “I’ll be thinking about you all night,” he murmured.
His words sent a ribbon of awareness curling through her, straight to the ache between her legs. By his knowing smile, she had no doubt he could smell her desire.
Stupid extrasensory abilities.
“I…” She didn’t want to return the sentiment.
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