Chapter 24

Chapter Twenty-Four

KIARA

I still hated flying, but being on a plane was significantly better than being carried by a dragon. It was warmer, for one thing, and the fear of falling to my death was much lower. I did end up next to a new mother and a sobbing infant, but I would take that over flying with Aiden. I was in a good enough mood that I even offered to hold the baby. My purring growl couldn't be heard over the noise of the plane, but it did settle the infant enough for it to fall asleep.

After last night, there wasn't much that could ruin my mood. I never expected us to go that many rounds. It was a positive sign that he'd survive my heat, though. Usually it was just me and an army of vibrators to get through it, but I might actually look forward to a week of being sex hungry if Cal was there to help me through it. The man was relentless in his determination to get me off.

We landed without issue at the airport, and Walker was waiting for me at the curb in the passenger pick up area. I dropped into the seat and he immediately handed me the file on Jasper.

"I know you have most of this, but it's everything we've compiled on him. It isn't much. He's a fucking ghost."

"Yeah, no shit." I had more than he did, since I knew the dragon part of it, but I didn't mention that, flipping through the file instead. "Any idea where he was staying yet?"

"No. Did you ever figure out why he doesn't have a scent?"

"He's not the only shifter I know who knows how to hide it," I replied easily. It wasn't technically a lie, so he wouldn't hear the lie in my voice. I did know two other shifters who could hide their scent. Aiden and surprisingly enough, Liv. She was abused as a kid by her mom and learned to stuff her panther down deep enough to hide her scent so her mom wouldn't attack her. Apparently, the crazy woman kept trying to stunt Liv's dominance. It gave Liv the insane ability to completely hide her animal if she wanted to. She went weeks without her mate knowing she was a shifter, and they were sleeping with each other.

"Well, I'm glad you got here fast. If our sources are correct, he hasn't been gone long. If we can find out where he's been, we might be able to figure out where he's going. I got in contact with the paranormal enforcement agency, and they've got guys in the city looking for him, but you're a better tracker. I wanted you here."

"Aw, how sweet," I crooned sarcastically. "You just want your money back."

He snorted, rolling his eyes. "That too. I still don't understand why he took out a bond. You said he was wealthy?"

"Yeah. Old money. So either he blew through millions lately, or he is acting erratic by going through you. I'm not sure. This whole thing is weird."

We made decent time, even with traffic, and I picked up my car before heading out again. No reason to hide it. I wanted Jasper to find me. If he came looking for me, it'd make my job easier. While heading back to where all this started, my phone rang on my car speaker and I answered it without looking.

"Santiago."

"Okay, that was really cool. You're so official," Cal teased.

I rolled my eyes with a smirk. "You can't seriously miss me that much. It's only been a few hours."

"Oh, my gorgeous goddess, even a minute away from you is pure torture," he crooned. If he wasn't being so fake about it, I'd shudder from the sentiment.

"What do you want, Cal?"

"I got ahold of my friend. He's on the line with us. He said all he needs is some basic information and he can get to work."

"He's– Seriously?"

Someone cleared their throat awkwardly, and a deeper voice spoke next. "Uh, yeah, hi. Maybe I should warn you that Cal has no shame. It's not actually possible to embarrass him."

I bit back a growl since a human was on the line, but once I got back, Cal and I would be having words.

"What's there to be embarrassed about? I am currently the top disciple to the most gorgeous and perfect goddess–"

"Cal, if you don't stop, I'm going to hurt you," I snapped. "I'm working right now."

He chuckled. "Okay, I'll save my worship for later then, and let you two work. Just wanted to make the introduction. I'm also ready and willing to come down there and help should you need it. Just say the word, beautiful goddess, and I'll be on the first plane."

"Cal…"

"I'm going, I'm going," he laughed. "See you later, gorgeous. Oh, and bye Robbie."

He hung up before his friend could reply. I shook my head as I pulled into the mall parking lot. I found Jasper once going through that little hobby shop. Maybe there was more I missed.

"Okay, so I'm sure Cal told you about me. Mostly I do IT, but I do some jobs as an ethical hacker on the side. If you give me some basic info, I can see what I can pull up. I'm not willing to like spy on anyone or anything, but–"

"That's not necessary," I interrupted. "For now, I just need to find out where he's been staying the past few weeks. Hopefully, once I find that, I can use it to follow him. Think you can get me that information?"

Robbie hummed, and I could already hear the keyboard clacking in the background. "Yeah, that's easy enough. Who am I looking for?"

"Jasper Marino." I rattled off the information we had, leaving out the fact that he was arrested for murder and was currently hunting his friend. That wasn't something Robbie needed to know. I questioned myself a little for trusting a random human just because Cal recommended him, but I didn't have time to look into it too deeply. A familiar face parked not far from me and headed into the mall, and I felt a smirk pull at my lips.

"Is that enough for now? I've got a lead I need to follow."

"Yeah, that should do it. Cal gave me your number. I'll text you so you have mine and call if I get anything."

"Sounds good." I paused before hanging up. "Robbie, this guy is dangerous. I don't know what his capabilities are with tech or if he can figure out that someone's hacking him. If you do get a hit on him, proceed with caution. And if you notice anything suspicious around your work or home, call me immediately. I don't want another innocent person caught in the middle of this."

Robbie made a tick sound behind his teeth, his fingers typing away already. "He'd have to catch me first. The only reason I'm an ethical hacker is because I don't look good in orange. I'll call you once I have something."

I shook my head, tucking the phone in my pocket after he hung up. Seems like Cal's friends were a lot like him. Stupidly cocky and innocent at the same time. I'd still be checking up on him, whether he wanted me to or not. These nerds lacked self preservation when they panicked.

After pulling a ball cap low over my eyes, I headed into the mall in search of Dev. His connection to Jasper was what led me to the criminal in the first place. And he was stupid enough to come back to where I'd caught them the first time. There was another kid, this one younger and more innocent looking than Cal, working the register. I wasn't making the same mistake twice, so after he was finished ringing up a few customers, I showed him my bounty hunter license and tipped my head towards the door.

"You should go on lunch."

His eyes widened, and he nodded quickly. His gaze flicked to the back, probably wanting to tell his boss he was leaving, but I shook my head.

"He won't care in a minute. Go."

The teenager needed no further instructions. He booked it out of the store and disappeared. I followed him, locking the door to the store behind him and putting up the sign that said the shop was closed so I wouldn't be interrupted.

I wasn't about to go into the back when I didn't know what was waiting for me. I didn't have time to do recon before I came inside. Instead, I lifted the pitch of my voice and called out, "Hello? Is anyone around to help me? I have questions about this game."

It took a few times to get Dev to come out. He tried shouting for the kid once, but when that didn't work, he came out grumbling to himself.

"Where the hell did that kid run off to? I have to do fucking everything around here. I–"

He came up short when he noticed me, his eyes going round. I knew he'd run, I saw it coming a mile away, but I wasn't interested in chasing him this time. Instead, I took a page from Cal's book and picked up a heavy figure from the shelf, chucking it at the back of Dev's head. He went down like a sack of potatoes. Before he could get back up, I had him handcuffed and up against the wall with my forearm against his throat.

"Surprised to see me?"

"I-I didn't do anything! You've got the wrong guy!"

"We'll see about that. Let's go, asshole."

I frog marched him to his office, keeping him in front of me as a shield in case he had any friends around waiting for me. The office was empty, though. And I mean empty. No papers, no computers, nothing. That was suspicious. Shops needed papers to order new supplies and run the business. If he was hiding it, there had to be a reason.