Chapter 8

• Colter
• No one. All clear.
• I catch Wyatt’s scent- he must have been here less than an hour ago. I get in and head directly to the shower, I am covered in mud, and my clothes are torn. I still feel Emma’s lingering scent so I open all the windows, the balcony, anything. I take a long cold shower.
• I rest my head against the cold tiles, feeling the water running down my back. The memory of Emma’s skin, directly underneath mine fills my head. I close my hand in a tight fist and blame everything I am thinking about on the fact that I haven’t slept at all in ages. My mind travels to the image of her neck, her surprise when she saw me in the manor, what would she look like when I am on top of her and she is naked, gasping for...
• Ok, this is too much, enough…
• I stop the water abruptly and get out. My phone is lying discarded on the couch. I have a missed call from Wyatt.
• I dial and he picks up right away.
• “Hey, Colter, “ he greets me cheerfully, “I was waiting for you to call. “"Yeah, everything all right?”
• “It is, the mistress is back home, and everyone’s fine. “
• I can't ask him if she said anything so I just keep my mouth shut.
• “By the way, “ Wyatt goes on, “The boss says he wants to see you. “
• And there it is- the fuckening. The bad feeling that something will mess up and it does.
• “Me?” I try to sound casual, “Does he even know I exist? “
• Wyatt laughs.
• “You saved his wife, man, of course he does. “
• So much for laying low, Colter. Great job. Amazing. I already hear Charles’ curses, directed at me.
• “I am glad I could help. “ I say.
• “He said he will expect you at ten. At the manor, you have the address. “
• My eyes flutter to the small clock above the TV- it’s seven now.
• “Okay, “ Wyat and I exchanged goodbyes and I hung up.
• Andrew is going to shoot me, won’t he? I think as I go get dressed in something more appropriate.
• Exactly three hours later I am sitting opposite Andrew Levin in his super fancy study. This is the man my colleagues spent years trying to approach and I get to meet so soon.
• “Colter, right, “ he says and leans in his seat. His suit and watch cost more than some of my colleague’s yearly salaries. Combined.
• “Yes, Sir, “ I nod.
• He is looking at me. Estimating me.
• “You look like a military guy, “ he frowns.
• “I was in the army, yes. “ I say. It’s no use lying to him- and in a way what I am about to say is not exactly untrue. Untrue doesn't mean a lie.
• “Why did you quit?” he asks.
• “What makes you think I quit? “
• Oops. Andrew may not like jokes, Colt, “ my wolf says. And judging by the expression on the man’s face I can tell that no - he doesn’t humor. He doesn’t like it if someone disobeys, too.
• “I am sorry, “I say, “I didn't mean to…”
• “It’s fine. Many police officers and ex-soldiers work for me now. I don’t care what you did before. ““No?”
• “No. “
• “Then why am I here?’
• As he needs to spell it out for me. I have prepared an excuse though. And I am just about to deliver it when Andrew speaks first.
• “You saved my wife Emma’s life. I am really grateful. Wyatt told me you made sure she was safe. “
• “Uh… yeah, I am glad I could help. “
• “You see, Colter, “ Andrew folds his hands. “My wife doesn't… how to say it. She can be very spoiled. She was always her dad’s princess. “
• There it is. She told him, I knew it. I remain calm.
• “But I also think she is quite stressed after what happened. And I would feel better if I knew she didn’t walk around alone. “
• I frown because I am not sure where this is going.
• “Wyatt said I could trust you. “ the boss says, “And after last night I think I can. I want you to keep an eye on my wife. “
• I almost get up and leave. My wolf freezes at first but then he starts shifting and turning inside me.
• “You don’t have to be so f*ck*ng exhilarated, “ I snarl at him but he is ecstatic.
• “It’s an easy task, “ Andrew explains, “Wyatt doesn’t have so much time and he is her driver now but that was temporary. “
• I stare at him. A driver to Emma? No way. No chance, I am not doing this. Like hell am I going to spend my time driving her around, and putting up with her. I don’t care if this is better than anything I ever planned because it will be so much easier to report to Charles if I am directly connected to them.
• But nope. F*ck this job. It will be a torture.
• “So what do you think? “Andrew says and I nod.
• “Yeah, I will be happy to. Thank you for trusting me with this.”
• “Great. “
• “But… why me? I don’t mean to say I am not happy, just… from what I've heard the men who work for you have been around the family for years. “
• “That’s true. But my wife… I think she doesn't like you very much.” Andrew says.
• All right. Wow. His words give me a pause. I shift in my seat.
• “I am sorry if I have done something to offend her, and…”
• “No, no, “ Andrew says, “She is like that. And if she doesn't like someone, that's a signal for me that this person can be trusted .”
• “If that isn’t the most f*ck*d *p logic, ever. “ my wolf mutters.
• “Yeah but it works perfectly for us so shut it. “
• “Did… did she say anything?” I ask Andrew.
• “No, “ he shakes his head, “And that’s why I think you are the best for the job. You will work directly for me. “
• Marvellous. Step one of infiltration- done.
• I want to grin but I try to keep my face straight.
• “I will do my best, “ I say, getting up.
• “Thank you, Mr. Levin. “
• “Wyatt will explain everything else. “
• I head out, my hands itching to call Charles.
• So far so easy.
• But it’s not so easy when Emma is standing opposite me, looking at the car, then at me, horrified. Or it’s something between horror and disgust, I am not sure.
• “What is going on?” she asks, putting her hands on her waist, “And why are you here? “
• And if I have to be honest when I look back at that time, I think this is where all the troubles began.