Unleashed by Katie MacAlister Page A

it’s not going to impress me.
    He said nothing, but I caught a shadow of a thought that had me worried he wasn’t trying to play he-man just to impress me.
    By the time I turned the truck in and made it back to the office, we hadn’t come to a consensus on how to deal with Greg.
    â€œIf you two would just stay here, I will go see if he’s even in the office,” I told Avery and Cora as they followed me down the hall to the big room that housed all the officers for the two counties we covered.
    â€œJacintha!”
    â€œToo late,” Cora said softly, watching with bright, interested eyes as Greg emerged from his office at the end of the hall and came barreling toward us.
    â€œJust the woman I hoped to see. Perhaps you can spare me a few minutes to talk about some upcoming plans I have for the department. Your input is invaluable when it comes to making decisions, you know.”
    He stopped in front of me, giving me his usual oily smile, one that faded slightly when Avery wrapped an arm around my waist and hauled me tight into his side.
    â€œEr . . .” Greg looked askance at Avery. “And this is?”
    â€œHer fiancé,” Avery said in a voice that was outwardly pleasant but with a distinct undertone of warning.
    Oh, you are not!
    You’re my Beloved. That is infinitely more binding than a mortal engagement.
    â€œYeah,” Cora said, nodding as her gaze narrowed on Greg when I introduced Avery to him. “They’re engaged.”
    I looked at her in complete surprise. “You don’t even like Avery!”
    â€œSo? He saved you from that weirdo Dieter. And besides, he’s better than the alternatives,” she said with a pointed glance at Greg.
    â€œCora! I’m sorry, Greg; my sister isn’t usually so rude.”
    â€œOh, I can be.”
    Greg waved away the insult. “Engaged, eh? Congratulations. Did you say Dieter? Dieter Baum?”
    Next to me, Avery stiffened.
    â€œYes,” I said slowly, trying to read Greg’s expression. His eyes, not nearly as clear and pure a blue as Avery’s, looked confused. “Dieter caught me on his land earlier today when I was going to see Albert, and he attacked me.”
    â€œGood God. Come into my office and tell me about it,” Greg said, ushering us into his office. “Are you all right? Did you call the police?”
    â€œI’m fine, and no, no police. Avery was there and managed to handle the situation,” I said quickly.
    â€œI see.” He looked at Avery again. “How fortunate he was there at that moment.”
    â€œYes. Greg, perhaps you can help me. I would like to talk to Albert about some issues with wildlife in the area, but naturally, after the attack, I’m hesitant to go onto Leshy lands.”
    Nice ad-libbing , Avery said with approval.
    I’m rather pleased with it, myself.
    â€œOh, I wouldn’t be if I were you,” Greg said, waving away my worry. “Albert’s all right. Dieter’s a bit of a nut ball, but if you stay away from him, you should be fine.”
    â€œYou know Albert Baum?” Avery asked.
    â€œMet him several years ago. He’s harmless enough. I won’t say he’s not a pain in the ass during hunting season, but the rest of the year he’s pretty reasonable. If you don’t mind my asking, when did you get engaged, Jacintha?”
    Somewhat taken aback by the shift in topic, I hesitated before answering. “Well, to be honest, we’re not actually engaged.”
    â€œYes, we are.”
    â€œAvery is Scottish, you see, and they do things a little differently in Scotland,” I explained, mentally growling at the man in question.
    â€œNo, we don’t.”
    â€œI think I understand,” Greg said, his face suddenly inscrutable. “Yes, I think I understand it all.”
    A chill went through me. “When’s the last time you saw any of the Leshies?” I