The Tiger's Heart by Marissa Dobson

is, but I recognized the last
name.”
    “ My uncle?” Bethany
whispered.
    “ What about him?” Raja’s
thoughts were turning negative quickly.
    “ I’m not really sure. I
just remember him saying it all started with James.”
    “ Started with him
how?”
    “ I’m not sure. After he
was bitten, he said it boiled down to being James’s fault. He
didn’t bite him but somehow he’s tied into it. But in all the years
since, the name never came up.”
    “ Okay. We’ll get to the
bottom of how he ties into the situation at hand. Anything else?”
Raja’s fingers played with the edge of Bethany’s pajama
top.
    “ There’s also a hunting
cabin in North Dakota our parents owned. I own it now but never use
it. He has a key and goes there when he needs to regroup or hide.
It’s probable he might be there or maybe there’s a clue to where he
might be.”
    Bethany gasped at the words North
Dakota, but when Raja squeezed her arm, she said
nothing.
    “ If that’s all, Shadow
will escort you to your room. Give her the address and we’ll get a
team to investigate it.”

Chapter Twenty
    “ Adam and Leo are an hour
out from James’s location. We’ll need another team for Jessica’s
tip. I wanted them to investigate the cabin and if he’s there, wait
for backup to arrive. We’ll send in two teams, but more will be
sent if he’s there.” Raja stood in Ty’s living room giving him the
update. Bethany was asleep in his quarters with Shadow standing
guard.
    Ty nodded. “I’ll get the teams on it.
When James arrives we need to debrief him first. Bring Bethany
here—she can stay with Tabitha and her guards. I don’t want the
women in danger if James is tied in with Pierce. I also want Shadow
with us. She’ll know if we can trust him.”
    “ I have a feeling the
women aren’t going to be very happy with either of us when we tell
them they have to sit this one out.”
    “ True, but it’s for the
best,” Ty snickered.
    “ What’s for the best?”
Tabitha asked, coming out of the bedroom.
    “ I’ll let you handle this
one. I have my own to deal with.” Raja turned to make a quick exit
as Ty gave him a dirty look and Tabitha stood with her hands on her
hips. He laughed, closing the door behind him. Now to tell my mate.
    While he strolled through
the main building back toward his quarters, he took a moment to
text Adam. Be on guard. Pierce’s sister
has a cabin in ND He might be there. With
his cell phone still out he sent Tora a brief message also. Your big mouth is going to get us in trouble one
of these days. He smiled, remembering all
the times he covered for his sister. Her big mouth already landed
them in some tricky situations in the past.
    He cell vibrated in his
hand before he clipped it back on his jeans. She must have taken it well…you’re still alive. You can thank
me later.
    “ Thank her? She must have
lost her marbles,” he mumbled, reaching his door.
    He found Shadow sitting on the
windowseat hugging her legs. Even in the dark he couldn’t miss her
bright pink leggings and white and pink sweater. The pink stood out
against the darkness of the room.
    “ Shadow, when Adam and Leo
arrive with Bethany’s uncle, I’d like you to attend the debriefing
before I allow her to meet him. We want to make sure he has nothing
to do with Pierce before we endanger her.”
    “ Do you think it is wise
to leave her alone?”
    “ She’ll be with Tabitha
and her guards while we meet James.” He leaned against the back of
the chair closest to her, whispering so not to disturb
Bethany.
    “ Very well. If I might
make a suggestion.”
    Shadow was still unsure of herself,
especially around the Elders. Her life was hard before joining the
Alaskan Tiger clan, making her leery of people, especially anyone
in the position of power.
    “ You’re one of our most
trusted guards. You may always speak freely and give your
suggestions. We might not use them, but we’re always willing to
listen.”
    She smiled a