26. Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Six

J asmine

It's been a week since Bold bit me, mated me, and changed my life forever. Like the quote from Tale of Two Cities , it's been the best of times and the worst of times. Bold and I fall more in love every day. Every new thing I learn about him just makes me admire him more.

But the Nature's Edge thing is hanging over our heads like a sword. There hasn't been a single new piece of evidence, no break in the case. After a few days off, I decided my clients need me, and I wasn't doing anyone any good just moping around our apartment when the pack was hitting the streets.

The crew's been taking turns putting on Wolven Warriors polo shirts to team up with Bold at my office to watch my back. I tried to talk him out of it—really, do I need two wolven security guys to protect me?—but he was so adamant I soon quit wasting my breath. I shouldn't complain. Having a mate who loves me more than the air he breathes isn't exactly the worst thing in the world.

Martinez got permission to deputize the Zone Force. They've been out prowling the nearby streets, ears under hats and tails down pant legs to blend in and avoid human panic or Purist backlash.

I feel guilty having Bold waste his time and talents babysitting me in my waiting room while I'm in my office with my clients. I don't argue, though. He's right when he reminds me I'm a sitting duck.

When I come out to the waiting room after my second client of the day, I find Bold rolling his head on his shoulders as he paces. The moment my client leaves, he strides to me, everything about his body language shouting that there's something needing his urgent attention.

"Stealth and Fang tracked down a woman named Amanda Brandt. Know her?"

"No."

"Right. I think she was at the San Bernardino facility after you left. At any rate, she smuggled out some videos. She reached out, says she's got Nature's Edge dead to rights, but she's on the fence about handing them over. I'd love to talk to her. Help her see that making the videos public would help a lot of innocent people."

"Yes. Go! Or do you want to wait until I'm off work? I'll go with you."

"I thought of that, but I don't want her to get second thoughts and destroy the evidence. Courage is here with you. I'll call in Fury so there will be two males here to protect you. He can be here before you're out of your next session."

"I'll be fine. Go talk to her. This is the break we've been waiting for."

"You'll be in good hands, love."

As much of a hurry as he's in, he pulls me into a crushing hug, kisses the top of my head and says, "I'll call you on your next break. Just to check in."

He turns to Courage. "Keep my mate safe."

"You know it, Bold. She's part of the pack. One of the infamous Sinclair family."

Will this level of acceptance ever get old? Other than the mansion, I've never felt so at home anywhere.

When my next client arrives, it feels good to put my focus into the session, so I don't worry about Bold. When the appointment's over, I leave my little office to go to the bathroom down the hall. Courage, like always, follows me and waits outside the bathroom door.

I don't give him shit about it, though sometimes I'd like to. My safety is a serious thing and you never know what a desperate psychopath will do when the trail leading to his destruction gets closer every minute.

I know something is wrong the moment I exit the bathroom. Courage is nowhere to be seen. I absolutely positively know he wouldn't walk away and leave me exposed. Two men, their sharp eyes focused on me, approach faster than I can call for help.

One of them covers my mouth and jabs a needle into my arm. I black out before I can even ask about Courage.