Hers(45)

“You want to tell me why the hell I’m not challenging you in form to a death match?”

The wolf shrugged and glared at Sammy. “We don’t all have a trust fund, bear. This job doesn’t pay enough. I didn’t know the human was important.”

“If we’d known she was your mate we would have stopped him,” the panther said in a whisper only the shifters in the room could hear, and now Sammy, thanks to them mating her.

Brock snarled. “I, Brock Bear, challenge you both. It shouldn’t matter if she was my mate or not. You don’t treat humans that way. Because of your neglect shifters were killed also.” Brock’s voice got louder so everyone could here. “Breakaway precinct has just sealed its fate.”

Eight officials stepped into the circle that had formed around Sammy. They flashed Internal Affairs badges.

“Thanks, Albert, for helping the investigation along. Detective Bear, we appreciate all your help, but we can take it from here.”

“I’m not done with them.” Brock attacked the two shifters, and all hell broke loose.

Slater placed Sammy behind him, and Sammy screamed and gripped his back. “I didn’t tell.”

The men and women around them from Brock’s precinct came to Brock’s aid, and some helped the Internal Affairs get control of the groups.

Once the scene was contained, Kegon held Brock back, and his captain stood quietly talking to him.

Slater was fuming. How could Brock have put their mate in danger like this? Sammy was trembling as she clung to his back. Brock didn’t deserve Sammy as a mate.

One of the older men from internal affairs came over to him. “Mrs. Gardener, thank you for your cooperation.”

Slater growled at the man. He knew Sammy had been involved in this. She’d had no idea what was going to happen tonight.

Sammy slowly came out from behind him, and he wrapped his arms around her waist as she mumbled. “I didn’t do anything. I haven’t said anything.”

“Yes, you did. Thank you for agreeing to come tonight. We have been working this case for months now and not getting anywhere. Your willingness to help tonight by coming to this party has showed us where to start. I will call you early this coming week as I need statements from you.”

A sob escaped Sammy, and her body shock against him. She nodded to the investigator. “Yes, I’m sure you can get my number.” Sammy turned her back on the man and looked up at him. “I want to leave now.” With that she wiggled out of his arms and fled out of the back yard.

That was it. He couldn’t hold his anger in any longer. Slater stomped to Brock and punched him, felling satisfied as a loud crunch was heard as his nose broke. “You’re a fucking idiot. You couldn’t let it go, and you just lost her. You’re just like your mother, a cold-hearted son of a bitch.” He turned to glare at Brock’s captain. “That was low. You have no idea what you’ve just done. That girl is not only my mate, but she’s Susie’s and Sandy’s best friend. She also looked pretty cozy with your wife and daughter. I can tell you now those Bear men won’t take yours or Brock’s side in this, because they care what their mates think.”

Slater punched Brock again and ran after Sammy, only to stop and turn back to get his car as he saw Sammy in the distance down the street. Getting in his car he drove to Sammy, stopped and got out. As soon as Sammy saw him she came at him attacking him.

“I hate you. How could you do this to me? I trusted you. I hate you.”

Grabbing her hands he held them in hers and pulled her to him for a hug. “I didn’t know Brock was going to do that. I only found out a short time ago, and I left work leaving a junior chef in charge so I got here. I was hoping we could leave before anything happened.” He stroked her hair. “I’m so sorry, beautiful. If I’d know I would have put a stop to it or told you. Brock knew that. Otherwise he would have told me.” He leaned down and kissed her head. “Let’s get you home. I will leave or stay. It’s your choice. I’ll call Susie, Jane, Sandy, and Gwen.”

Slater opened the passenger car door and helped her in before he went around and got in his own seat, did up his seat belt, and drove away.

The drive to the house was quiet, and Slater hoped Brock hadn’t stuffed it up for him, too. Slater couldn’t believe what Brock had done.

****

Sammy couldn’t believe what Brock had done. How could he have put her in that situation? He and Slater both knew how she felt about what happened with Greg, and they knew she hated cops and wasn’t treated right by Breakaway precinct. Sammy wondered why Brock had done that to her. He should have known how she would react.