“We can always call in each employee, see if they match the scent. Tell them we are doing an accountability survey or some shit,” Conner offered.
“Good idea, that will be one less place to look. I have a feeling this guy is laying low, skulking in the shadows to cause this much trouble,” Cage said. “Dax, you willing to stick around for a while? Make sure we don’t miss our chance at this guy?”
“Sure, I was thinking of having my little sister come up too, if you don’t mind. She worked with the hands more than I did. Wine isn’t her thing, but she loves being in the fields. I know she worked closely with both Tony and his brother,” Dax replied.
“Sounds good, how are Mackenzie and the boys? I haven’t seen her since she was in pigtails and overalls, and the boys were toddlers,” Cage laughed, glad to be talking about family and not criminals.
“Good, grown up and quite the handful. Mom gave up trying to tame Mackenzie a long time ago. Easier to give her whatever she wants and stay clear. Dad keeps Stryker and Everett in the office doing paperwork,” Dax laughed.
“Those names,” Cage said, shaking his head.
“Hey, my mom couldn’t remember which winery she got drunk in on one of her ‘research tours’, that led to the conception of those little strays, so she hedged her bets,” Dax explained. “Luckily you’ll only have to deal with one other Hayes this trip.”
“Mackenzie is welcome here anytime. Let me know and we’ll arrange her pick up at the airport,” Cage said, turning to lead them back to the main house.
“I’ll call her now and see if she can catch a flight today.” Dax pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and tapped the screen to make the call.
Stepping away from the group, Dax waited for his sister to pick up. On the third ring she did.
“Hey sis, married yet?” Dax said by way of greeting.
“Hardy har, you’re a laugh a minute do you know that,” she answered. Mackenzie Hayes was sitting at home wondering why her life was nothing other than grapes and surviving her mother’s machinations on getting her mated. Talking to her brother was an excellent waste of time.
“Well, if you are able to tear yourself away from your busy debutante life for a few days, I’d like you to head up here. Today if you can. I’m pretty sure the Rochons are dealing with our Tony up here and I know how closely you worked with him. I’d feel like we were covering all of our bases if you were here too,” Dax explained.
“Aw shucks, you asking for my little ole’ help? I’d be delighted to join you. Do I have to tell mom I’m leaving?” She knew she was whining, but couldn’t help it.
“Only if you don’t want her sending out an all points bulletin that you’ve been kidnapped. Because she would never suspect you of running away,” Dax laughed. His mother was always worried about Kenzi hightailing it out of California. He was surprised his mom hadn’t put a GPS tracker on her at birth.
“I’ll be there. Hey, any of those Rochon boys looking for a mate?” She knew this would annoy her brother.
It worked. “Nope, not a one of them,” Dax replied confidently. His cat had warned him off of Conner immediately, growling that he was not a stable guy or a man looking to settle down. His cat was always right about these things.
Conner could hear Dax talking to his sister as they made their way back to the house. His mind was on bigger things. Now that they had confirmed that the oily unwashed smell belonged to the man trying to hurt his family, Conner was having trouble keeping his bear back.
Today might be one of those days, he would need to let him run so he didn’t lose control in front of anyone. Catching Wyatt’s eye he gave him a head nod towards the woods. Wyatt gave him a chin lift in response. Seeing the yellow tinge in Wyatt’s eyes, Conner knew he needed a release too.
They got back to his parents; Cage went in to grab Sophie so they could head back to base camp. Dax went with them after confirming his sister was coming in that afternoon. His mother, of course, decreed a family dinner since she hadn’t seen Mackenzie since she was a baby. And the Rochon boys knew there was no way to deny their mother anything.
Once they’d left, Conner and Wyatt headed into the woods behind Conner’s house, stripped down and let their bears out to run. Conner knew his brothers wondered why his bear always shifted in a shower of sparks and flashing colors. Cage and Wyatt could let their bears flow out of them in nothing more than a shimmer when they weren’t agitated. Mad, they shifted like Conner.
Conner was glad they had never asked about it. How did he explain, even when he willingly let his bear out it was still a battle. Each fighting for control, neither wanting to give it up. His bear dropped to all fours and sniffed the air around them. Conner didn’t feel like fighting anymore. He let the bear have full control and sat back and watched the animal run, smell, and scratch whatever it wanted. It actually calmed Conner a bit, his bear clearly was enjoying it and Wyatt’s bear was taunting him into a wrestling match. Conner’s bear was happy to oblige, the two grappling and biting. Not enough to break the skin, but enough to leave some bruises for a few hours.