After Zan’s concise recounting of the past week’s events Jackie peeked over her grandpa’s shoulder and caught the disgruntled shifter’s glare. Yep. He was going to kill her. And while she should be considering running for the hills, a primitive thrill of anticipation skated up her spine.
“I’ve got confirmation that a private chartered plane has left Denver and is scheduled to land in Richmond late this evening.”
Jackie turned at the male voice. She’d never heard the shifter come up behind her. Then again she’d been pretty focused on Zan. Or rather, containing her amusement from him.
“This Shider fellow?” General Chavez wanted to know.
“Affirmative.” Jackie sized up the new shifter. While he couldn’t be considered attractive, there was something about his features that drew a woman. Maybe it was the thick blond hair that just edged the collar of his shirt, the dent in his square jaw, or simply the bad-boy attitude. The man had an air of wildness about him, not unlike Zan. She estimated the newcomer to be in his early forties, with the build of a warrior of centuries past.
“Know him too?” Zan’s harsh whisper brushed her ear. Jackie didn’t so much as flinch, having felt the warmth of his body at her back and the unique scent of spice, sex, and forest. The tendrils of hunger grew more demanding. She felt herself lean into his heat, to ease the possessive growl that vibrated in his chest, and to please herself. The hard ridge of his erection pressed into her butt. His hands at her hips were nothing less than proprietary, shouting to everyone in the vicinity that Jackie was his.
Territorial wolf.
She almost wanted to smile. “No.” The deep rumbling eased but Zan didn’t move an inch. In fact he only edged closer, placing one large hand protectively over her exposed belly.
Did he expect this new shifter to take a swipe at her?
“Russell, this is my granddaughter, Jackie. Jackie, this is the incomparable Russel Pittman. Commander of LunaWatch.”
Russell turned to her, taking in Zan’s dominant hold less than a second. Surprise— and was that relief?—flashed in his deep gray eyes before he presented her with an outstretched hand and a welcoming grin that morphed his features from almost cruel to almost handsome.
“I’m pleased to finally meet you.”
Her hand was gently enveloped. Surprised, Jackie felt nothing but genuine interest from this man. She just didn’t know if Russell knew of her from General Chavez or Zan. “You too.”
“My wife, Marion, insisted on cooking dinner, much to my concern. She’s seven months pregnant with an independent spirit that makes me crazy at times, but I’m coping. We’ll eat,” his eyes flicked to Zan, then narrowed. “Then we’ll talk.”
“Feider.” Her grandfather barked at Joe. “Take Jackie’s bag to the room next to mine. I’ll be staying the night.” The last statement was directed at Zan with one of his one-eyed stares.
Zan’s lips pressed into a hard, thin line before he dipped his chin in a tight nod. Guess there wasn’t going to be any hanky-panky tonight. Not with her grandfather in the next room. Then again. Where did Zan sleep?
Ugh. She gave a mental shake of her head. What was she thinking? She couldn’t have sex with Zan while her grandfather slept on under the same roof. While she was an independent woman living in the twenty-first century, it still seemed tacky.
Before she could follow Russell and her grandfather, Zan snagged her hand. “We’ll be there in a minute.”
Jackie had known this moment would come sooner or later. She was just hoping for later. Even as Zan tugged her toward a room off the foyer she glanced back at her waiting grandfather. “Give us a minute.”
The room turned out to be an office, with several built-in shelves along one wall that was stuffed with books of all shapes and sizes. In front of a large black desk sat two leather chairs. A stone fireplace took up a good portion of another wall. Zan didn’t give her time to see much else as he whirled her around to face him. “You lied to me.”
Jackie nearly winced at the amber edging the irises of his glowing eyes. It seemed both man and wolf were angry with her. And why not. Lying to one’s mate was akin to infidelity. It eroded trust. “I didn’t really lie. I evaded.”
His hands were on her arms and he gave her a shake. “You flat out told me General Chavez wasn’t related to you.”
She dropped and twisted, yanking free from his grip, smugly pleased by the brief look of annoyance in his eyes. Instead of trying to subdue her with his greater strength, he leaned back against the desk, arms crossed over his chest. Waiting.