“The variety of bigotry is so varied, it can make your head spin. Some of those folks can’t stomach the races mixing, some of them can’t stomach the threesomes, and some of them can’t tolerate either.” Logan pulled her between his legs as he sat on the edge of the bed.
Sawyer kissed her neck again and then pulled back when Logan continued.
“By the way, there’s another player we don’t want to leave out in this mess.”
“Who’s that?” she asked.
“Pete Sandhouse. He’s a deputy for the sheriff in Sojourn.”
“That’s where Corbin works,” Sawyer commented.
Logan nodded. “Yes. And he approached Corbin about us. Laurie warned me, and then I called and spoke to Corbin.”
“What? Why? How could he even know about us yet?” Amanda shuddered.
“That’s just it. Corbin doesn’t think he did. Thinks he was on a fishing expedition and hit the jackpot. Someone must have seen Sawyer and I together and assumed. Maybe even Friday night. The point is, that man is trouble. And he can make our lives hell. I don’t trust him.” Logan cupped Amanda’s face. “This doesn’t leave this room, baby.”
She nodded, a chill racing up her spine at the serious expression on his face. “Laurie told me about Pete Saturday morning. He sounds like a swell guy.”
“It’s not public knowledge that we know Pete Sandhouse was involved in trying to run Laurie, Zach, and Corbin out of town.”
“Why didn’t anyone arrest him? He’s still working for the force?” Sawyer asked.
Logan nodded. “Corbin and Trace decided to wait for a bigger infraction. They didn’t have enough on him to stick in court. So, we need to remain diligent. The man isn’t in favor of ménages or mixing the races. If he’s snooping around, it means he has a mission.”
“Lord, did you say my sister spied on these assholes?” She tried to picture her sister with such a spine.
“Yeah,” Logan said. “Not specifically Sandhouse, but the members of her church that were also harassing Zach’s family. It was almost impossible at any given time to know who was targeting them. She made anonymous calls to the sheriff’s office when the church started meeting to plot our demise. She was afraid someone would get seriously injured or killed, so she pretended to go along with them to keep the authorities involved. That’s how she ended up meeting Laurie.”
“I never realized she was so badass.” She giggled as Sawyer tickled her neck with his lips. “Do you think the members of the church are the same people threatening us?”
“Could be. But it seems unlikely. They’re being closely watched by the sheriff’s office. If they step out of line, they know they will serve time. Plus, my family has a restraining order against about a dozen of them.”
“A restraining order wouldn’t stop anyone from threatening you…or me for that matter.” She shuddered again.
“Not by itself, but when you’ve already committed several crimes and law enforcement is keeping an eye on you… The problem is they aren’t the only ones who could be sending threatening notes to you. I could make a list a mile long of people who don’t want anyone messing with the status quo as far as keeping the races from mingling is concerned. The church members are just one small boisterous group. There are plenty of Native Americans, both human and shifters, who aren’t fond of mixing the races either. Pete Sandhouse would make that list, for example. And next would be Veronica Miller.” Logan hauled her closer.
“Who the hell is that?” Sawyer asked.
“Human girlfriend Corbin had when he met his mates,” Logan muttered against Amanda’s lips.
“I think Jazmine said she’s sleeping with that Pete guy now.”
“Interesting.” Logan closed the gap farther.
She knew he was done with this morbid line of thinking when he took her lips and tipped his head to deepen the kiss. Seconds later, she forgot what they’d been discussing too.
»»•««
“It’s so early,” Amanda mumbled into the pillow. “What the hell are you guys doing up?” She rolled to her side and lifted one eyelid. “Please tell me you aren’t morning people. I think that’s a deal breaker.”
Sawyer chuckled as she watched him shrug into nylon shorts and reach for a T-shirt. “I have to work out.”
“Work out? You don’t think you’re buff enough?” It seemed crazy. Who jumped out of bed before the sun rose to go for a run?
He laughed harder as he slid his shirt over his head. “Won’t be able to stay this way if I don’t keep working at it. Besides, it’s a requirement for my job. When I’m not at work, I’m working out. I haul a shitload of heavy equipment when I’m fighting a fire. If I had to stop to catch my breath, I’d be dead.”