“We’re meeting with Abbott later, to tell him about an Atlanta detective after the RTMC who’s convinced they’re werewolves. He’s been gathering files, pictures, and video from law enforcement all over the country, asking them to think of him as the clearinghouse for all information, and appointing himself the RTMC expert. It’s all supposition for now, he has no proof, but it’s probably only a matter of time before he manages to put it together, and Brain says I need to give my data to Abbott.”
Brain walked to the door, nudged it open, and walked off the porch.
“I brought a cooler of venison, and set it on the ground by my bike before we came in,” Bud told her. “He’ll eat and then will be back. Meanwhile, what questions can we answer for you. You seem to be taking this awfully well.”
I shrugged. “Between reading the detective’s notes, and then the way Brain picks me up and… yeah, let’s just say he’s strong. Also, he knows when something’s wrong with me, almost before I do, sometimes.”
Randall leaned back, took a drink, and said, “Not many people know the story of why Brain and Duke split, but the two of us do. Doesn’t take a genius to figure out he found her again, and you figured it out because you’re as much of a genius as he is. Also, he likely gave some subtle clues while he was chasing you… things he could’ve gotten away with if you hadn’t read the detective’s hypothesis.”
Fear spiked through my system, and Bud said, “Your secret’s safe with us, Harmony. You know our secret, too. It’s all good.”
“You’re both wolves?” I looked to Randall, “I mean, I figured Bud was because he’s RTMC, too, but Brain wouldn’t tell me how you play into this, other than to warn me you’re Duke’s twin. Since I’m assuming Duke is, then if you are, this must be hereditary?”
Randall nodded. “We were born werewolves. People can also be turned by being bitten or scratched.”
“So, that means a Supreme Court Justice was a wolf, and a U.S. Senator is one.”
Bud chuckled. “You’d be surprised at how many of the people in power positions aren’t human.”
The men looked away from me, towards the side yard, and a few minutes later I heard tires on gravel.
“You expecting anyone?” Bud asked.
“No. I should go see who it is.”
Bud and I followed Randall out the door and down the steps. We weren’t invited, but apparently, neither of us cared.
Chapter Thirty-One
Brain
I was finishing up the venison Bud had packed in the cooler when I heard someone pull off the road onto Randall’s nearly mile-long driveway, and I quickly made my way into the woods and changed back to human.
One of the Drake Security vehicles pulled into the driveway, and rage shot through my veins when I saw Aaron Drake and Duke in the front seat.
Duke stayed inside as Aaron got out, and I said, “I used your app for my encrypted communications, since everyone already had it. You spied on us.”
“Yeah, and I’m sorry for it, but I’m not responsible for Duke being here. I only monitored your conversations for Abbott, as he was concerned he’d lost track of you, and he likes to know what all of the most powerful and most intelligent supernaturals in his territory are up to. Abbott asked Eric some geek questions, Eric talked to Duke, and Duke called in a favor to accompany me. I wouldn’t have brought him into this, otherwise.”
“Why are you here?”
“To tell you I have a place for you in my organization if you’re interested, and to welcome Harmony into the family, as well as offer her some consulting work.”
Harmony was standing with Bud and Randall, off to the side, and when she took a step towards me, I turned to her and said, “Stay where you are, please? Bud’ll take care of you because you’re mine, and Randall will make sure you’re safe because this is his house and he feels responsible for guests.”
“And I’ll defend her with my life because she’s yours, as well,” Aaron told me. He turned to Harmony and said, “When I had to take the woman I loved into hiding to save her life, Brain and Duke helped me keep her hidden and safe, and helped us formulate a strategy to keep her safe as we came out of hiding. She’s now my wife, and has given me three beautiful children. You’re safe with me, and believe it or not, you’re safe with Duke, as well.”
“You weren’t invited, Aaron,” I told him. “Why are you really here? I’m sure you know we’re meeting with Abbott later, and you could’ve come to that meeting with his invitation.”