A few times I met Jake’s gaze. He seemed preoccupied, though he had no trouble devouring his steak and later polishing off two slices of apple pie.
Walter made pleasant conversation about the wonderful spring weather and the bats that flitted over the yard as they came out of their hiding places when the evening settled. He was talking about what to cook for lunch tomorrow when the phone in the kitchen rang. He excused himself and left for a few minutes. When he came back, he had a notebook in his hand.
“I got someone who spotted a van that fits the description.” He tossed the notepad in front of Jake. “They’re tailing it as we speak. That’s the latest location and the number where you can contact my guy.”
Jake grabbed the notebook and rushed into the house.
“Jake, wait!” I caught up with him as he exited the kitchen.
He glanced over his shoulder.
“I’m coming with you.”
“No. Too dangerous.”
I rushed after him, jogging along the corridor that led to the front door, Bones trailing behind us. Jake left the front door ajar and when I got there, he was already on his bike, cranking the engine.
“You can’t leave me here!” I yelled over the revving motorcycle.
Jake released the brake and tore off in a squeal of rubber and acrid smoke.
I watched him leave, fists clenched at my sides.
Walter appeared next to me, huffing and shaking his head. “Always acts now and asks questions later.”
That was Jake all right.
“Where is he going?” I demanded, turning to face the old man.
Walter offered me a folded piece of paper. “I just received another call. It seems the van may be in need of a little maintenance.”
I unfolded the note and read it.
“Stan’s Auto & Truck Repair” the paper read. I glanced up and met Walter’s eyes.
“Why?” The question came out before I could stop it.
“You wanted to go with him, didn’t you?”
I did, but why would Walter go against his grandson’s wishes to protect me? Or men’s general need to keep women safe and on a leash?
“I’m not your mommy or his... for that matter.” Walter turned on his heel and walked back inside.
I pondered what to do for a long moment, then ordered an Uber.
Damn if I was going to let Jake take all the credit for finding Stephen. In the end, this high-profile case might turn out good for my tracking business. At least that was what I told myself as I climbed in and gave the driver the address to the repair shop.
Chapter 33
I fidgeted in the back of the Uber, my thoughts going back and forth about whether my decision to follow Jake was brilliant or down-right stupid.
The fact that I’d created a justification for my actions didn’t escape me. The agency focused on mate tracking, not kidnappee tracking for Pete’s sake. So what was I doing? True, finding Stephen would put us in the news spotlight, but that sort of attention didn’t fit what Rosalina and I were looking for. In fact, we wanted to stay away from that.
More than once, I leaned forward and started to tell the driver to turn around and take me home, but every time I would recline back and chew on my bottom lip while the driver gave me a pinched glare in the rearview mirror. I did call Ulfen and left a voicemail when he didn’t answer. I told him we might have a lead on Stephen’s location and spelled out the address. If there was trouble, maybe he and his pack would get there in time to help.
I realized that I’d rationalized my decision to come, but in truth, I needed to admit that logic had nothing to do with what I was doing. A strange resolve and—if I was being honest—a craving for danger were driving me onward, making my body sing with anticipation. My skin itched more furiously as I thought about helping Jake rescue Stephen right from the jaws of his kidnappers.
“Are you sure you’re getting off here?” the driver asked when we reached the corner of Warne and Lee Avenue. I glanced around, hugging my purse closely. This area of town was certainly not the safest, and at this time, there were no signs of life.
A big full moon shone in the sky, for which I was grateful since all the lampposts appeared broken. It illuminated the scraggly trees, cracked pavement, and weedy empty lot across the street.
Go home, Toni. Stay alive. The voice of reason in my head made itself heard, but when it came to Jake, reason took a back seat.
“Yep, this is it,” I told the driver, putting on a chipper smile.
When I got out of the car at the corner and the driver disappeared, leaving me standing there all alone, I seriously reevaluated my decision.
Gah, what’s wrong with me?! I’m losing my sanity.
Never mind the iffy neighborhood, vampires and werewolves stood at the brink of war. If things got hairy, I might get eaten alive. I tried to draw comfort from the gun in my purse, but it might as well have been a banana.
My worry for Jake immediately doubled as I imagined a horde of vampires tearing him to pieces. He was strong, yes, but not indestructible, and his tendency to act irrationally landed him into trouble more often than not.
No, I couldn’t leave. I didn’t have to rush in to rescue Stephen, but I could approach carefully, gauge the situation, and call the police if needed.
My heart pounded as I turned the corner and cautiously walked toward the repair shop, the yellowish moonlight illuminating my way.
The repair shop was on the next corner from where I’d been dropped off. I crossed the street and walked close to the buildings, trying to
