Chasing Payne (10 page)

Chase's cell buzzed somewhere in the room.

He staggered from the bed, cursing whoever was calling, making him leave the warmth of Lora's body.

Their clothes were discarded across the room. He followed the trail, Lora's bra, panties, jeans, until he was able to locate his pants, and the incessant buzzing of his phone.

“What is it?” He snarled into the receiver.

Jacob let out a frustrated breath on the other end. “We've got a problem.”

“No shit.” He scratched the back of his neck, and caught Lora's worried gaze. “Tell me something I don't know.”

“Turner lost McCaffrey sometime after you arrived at her apartment.”

Chase cursed violently, dragging his hand through his hair. 

Lora's face paled and alarm flashed in her amber eyes. Shit. He hadn't meant to scare her, but he had a bad feeling Austin was up to more than just spying on his mate.

“I'll send a unit to watch Lora's place, but I need you on this,” Jacob said.

He grunted in acknowledgement, grabbed his clothes off the floor, and jerked his pants on. “Can you remind me why we signed up for this job?”

Jacob sighed heavily. “Serve and protect, my friend.”

Chase huffed, and watched Lora move slowly off the bed. Already, the wariness was seeping back into her eyes.

She gave him a small smile, before turning and heading to the bathroom. He blew out a frustrated breath as the door clicked shut.

“Where's Turner now?”

“I've called him in. Even if he could trace McCaffrey, we need to be careful until we know exactly what he's hiding.” Jacob paused and sighed heavily. “We were able to hack into his personal accounts and it doesn't look good.”

Chase pinched the bridge of his nose and groaned roughly. “What are we looking at?”

“Two offshore bank accounts. Each with large sums being transferred in and out.”

“Fuck.” He rolled his neck and shoulders, irritation cording the muscles. “Even if he's not linked to the spontaneous morphs and stolen files, he's up to something. And if he saw Turner following him, he knows we know.”

“He was your subordinate. The Council will want to question you,” Jacob pointed out.

Fucking perfect. Like he didn't have enough to worry about. “Just get a team here ASAP. Until he's caught I want someone guarding her twenty-four-seven.”

Chase hung up as Lora came back in the room wearing a cotton robe, her dark hair pulled back in a ponytail.

“What's wrong?” she asked, nodding to the phone still clutched in his hand.

“I need to go back to the office. I want you to pack a couple of suitcases. Shit's come up and I'm not taking any chances of you staying here alone.”

“I'm not sure—”

“Don't even think about arguing with me.” He shrugged his shirt on. “I'll be back later to pick you up. Until then, stay put. Jacob's sending a team over to watch the place, but—”

“A team?” A quick, anxious frown creased her face.

“I need you to trust me.”

She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him. “You can't keep me holed up here without telling me why.”

“Turner saw Austin outside of my apartment this morning. We believe he was watching you.”

Instead of the shocked response he expected, her cheeks went pink and her lips drew down. “You had Turner watching me? Is that how you knew I was here?”

“I'm trying to protect you,” he bit out, the muscles in his jaw clenching.

She shook her head and threw her hands up. “Bullshit, you're trying to control me.”

“You're right. I thought you'd run. And you did.”

“I didn't run. I came back to my apartment.”

“Where you'll stay until I come back and get you.”

She narrowed her gaze at him. He could see her mind working, the arguments she was trying to come up with. “I'm not a child that you can order around. I'll do what I want and—”

“If you're not going to let me protect you, then I'm going to have to bring Jacob into this.” His voice was rife with impatience as he faced her, his own anger growing. “How long do you think it will take him to figure out your secret?”

Her face paled. “You wouldn't.”

Fear shone in her eyes, and he immediately regretted the threat. “Just stay here. I'll be back soon. Once I get things sorted out, I'll explain everything.”

“Right.” She rolled her eyes and mumbled something incoherent under her breath.

He caught her as she moved past him, pulling her in close to him. His fingers tangled in her hair as he pulled her head back demandingly. He brushed his lips over hers and felt her tremble beneath him.

He shook his head and tried to clear the fog of lust rising within it.

She belonged to him now. She owned his heart, his soul, and he would do everything in his power to protect her, even if it meant suffering her anger.

“Stay,” he demanded, releasing her.

The small smile she gave him was more worrisome than comforting.

He kissed her once more, quick and rough, before walking out the door.

* * *

Lora looked from her open closet to the empty suitcase on her bed. Was she seriously thinking of moving in with him? She shouldn't even be thinking about it, but she was.

She walked to the window and looked down at the black Escalade parked below. She drew in a long, patience-restoring breath. She couldn't see which agents had been sentenced to babysitter duty, but she was certain they were having a good laugh at her expense.

As if sensing her watching them, the car doors opened. She didn't recognize the man that emerged from the driver's side, but her breath hitched at the sight of the blonde woman who exited on the opposite side.

Was he freaking serious? He'd sent his
date
to watch her. Her lion snarled in response, a deep guttural sound that vibrated through her chest and tightened her throat.

The blonde-haired woman looked up, catching Lora's gaze. The woman's lips curled in a snarl.

Lora clenched her teeth and marched back to the closet, grabbing an armful of shirts off the hooks, and threw them into the suitcase.

She sat down on the edge of the bed and closed her eyes, feeling her lioness pacing close to the surface. With every breath, the beast was getting more and more difficult to control. And Chase's constant presence, his ridiculous demands, weren't helping.

Three days ago, he wanted nothing to do with her. Now, because of one tiny bite, and some over-developed sense of responsibility, he went around acting as if he owned her.

The entire situation was absurd.

Even if she could get her animal under control, which seemed utterly impossible around Chase, she didn't want to be with someone who was only with her out of duty. An obligation that if Austin was correct, could be remedied.

But, God, the sex. She threw herself back on the bed and covered her face with her arms. The sex had been like nothing she'd ever experienced before. And when she was in his arms, when he was buried deep inside of her, she could almost believe that he cared about her. That he wanted her, and not just because of the mating hormones that raced through his system.

Inhaling deeply, she could still smell him, the room infused with his scent.

She groaned and rolled over. No. She couldn't do this. Even if it meant him exposing her secret, she needed to end the charade they were playing.

Her animal growled and paced, crowding her mind and reminding her of the threat she was. She blinked back tears, feeling the storm raging inside her.

Pushing herself off the bed, she grabbed her phone and texted Austin.

If you're still willing to help me,

I want to take you up on your offer.

Her emotions churned, the edge of panic building within her. If she did this, there would be no turning back. Chase would be gone from her life forever.

She stared at the message.

It was the right thing to do. For both of them.

Pressing send, she closed her eyes and waited.

In the end, she knew he would thank her.

“Have they been able to retrieve any of McCaffrey's records?” Chase asked Jacob, as he entered the operations center control room.

The place hummed with activity. The main screen on the sixteen-monitor wall held a picture of Austin McCaffrey, his bio alongside it.

“They broke through his firewall a few minutes ago,” Jacob said, with his arms crossed over his chest, his brows and lips drawn down in concentration. His eyes shifted between monitors, seemingly taking in every minute detail all at once. “We still haven't been able to track him, but IT has been able to access all recent and new messages.”

“It's a start.” Chase glanced around the room and shook his head. “By the way, I'm taking a week vacation when we get this shit sorted out.”

Jacob raised an eyebrow and chuckled. “You haven't taken a sick day since you've worked here. I have a hard time believing you'd be able to stay away from the office for an entire week.”

Until now, he hadn't had cause to take time off. Lora gave him a reason. The need for her saturated every cell in his body. He'd premeditated how he would spend the time, every moment centered around her, in his bed, his cock balls deep inside of her.

One of the younger agents, David Kehoe, approached. His bright orange hair stuck up at odd angles, while his green eyes darted nervously between Jacob and Chase. “Sir, we just received notification of an incoming text to Agent McCaffrey's phone.”

“And?” Jacob asked, frowning.

Kehoe fidgeted with the paper he held, before passing it over to Jacob. “It was from your sister, sir.”

Chase paused, pressure building in his chest. “Which sister?”

“Lora Oliver, sir.”

Bloody fucking hell. What was the woman up to now? “What did it say?” It was all Chase could do to force the words past his lips, to keep his anger at bay. 

Jacob's face was a mask of calm as he read the message.

“She asked for his help. Said she'd take him up on his—Offer.” The younger agent informed him grimly.

His help? She'd contacted McCaffrey for help. Chase clenched and unclenched his fists and struggled to remain calm. Help for what? To run away from the one man who wanted to protect her?

Kehoe shifted nervously from one foot to the other. “What would you like me to do, sir?”

Jacob wiped a hand over his face slowly. “There are already two agents watching her movements. I want another two cars on her.” He looked at Chase briefly and shook his head, before turning back to the younger agent. “She's now a person of interest. I want all of her devices monitored.”

“Yes, sir.” The agent gave a short nod and walked back to his post.

“Do you have any idea why she would contact him?” Jacob asked.

Chase shook his head. His hands clenched in fury. The wheels in his brain spiralling in all different directions as to what the fuck she was thinking.

Jacob's eyes darkened with suspicion. “If you have any idea why my sister would contact McCaffrey for help, you need to tell me.”

The only reason Chase could come up with was that she wanted Austin's help to run. But why contact him? It didn't make sense…unless, she had feelings for the man. A deep, rattling growl vibrated low in his chest. He pushed the thought away before it consumed him.

“She's running.”

“From what?”

Chase rubbed the back of his neck, and sighed. “From me.”

Jacob's features tightened, and his hands balled into fists at his side. “Did you do something to her?”

“Fuck you, Jacob. How long have you known me? I'd never do anything to harm her.”

After a long moment, Jacob sighed. “Then why would she run from you? And why seek out Austin?”

Chase shook his head, and fought to push back the anger and fear that was fraying his control. He was just as confused by Lora's actions as Jacob was.

Insecurities flew at him like grenades.

She'd told him she loved him. He'd sensed the savage desire within her, but he had marked her without her knowledge. To save her, yes, but also because his animal had chosen her, just as hers had chosen him so many years before. So why seek out Austin? Why run to another man when Chase was willing to give her anything and everything she desired?

His hands shook as he took out his phone and dialed her number. It went to voicemail after the first ring. Damn her.

Needing space to think, he stalked out of the room away from the incessant noise and blinking lights. He found the nearest deserted room and slammed the door.

He placed his palms on the table, closed his eyes and concentrated on the fragile bond they had created. Despite the distance between them, he could sense her, feel the anxiety and fears that consumed her.

Don't run away from me.
He pressed deeper into her mind.

He felt the moment she realized what he was doing. Regret, pain, and sorrow strangled him as he dug deeper, feeling her stubborn refusal to allow him past the barricade she had created. He slammed his fist on the table when he lost the connection.

Emptiness. A dark consuming void hung in the air around him. It had been years since he had felt so vulnerable and isolated.

The door squeaked opened and Jacob paused in the doorway. “Talk to me.”

Chase sat down heavily. He slumped forward, elbows on his knees, and scrubbed his fingers over his face. “I know why he did it now.”

“Who?”

“My father.” He leaned back in the chair and stared up at the ceiling. “I know why he couldn't keep living. The pain he must have felt when my mother disappeared. He always swore that she was still alive, that he could feel her shutting down the bond between them. That's the part that ate at him, that drove him to drink.”

Jacob sat down across from him, watching him silently.

“I can't lose her.”

A firm knock at the door interrupted them.

“Come in.”

Kehoe opened the door, a nervous twitch making one eye blink at random intervals. “Sir, we found this report in Agent McCaffrey's files. It appears he's been watching Miss. Oliver for some time.”

“Let me see,” Chase demanded, grabbing the file before Kehoe could give it to Jacob.

The report was exhaustive, following Lora through basic training, her first few months on the job, as well as a detailed report on the accident involving the coyote. In bold letters at the bottom of the page were the words that could expose Lora's secret, not only to the Therian Agency, but also to her family.

It appears that the woman is either unable or unwilling to shift into animal form.

A fierce, heated curse escaped Chase's lips before he could cut off the sound.

Jacob's lips drew up in a snarl, revealing elongated canines. A dark glimmer of suspicion became evident in his eyes. “Dammit, Chase. What aren't you telling me?”

He stood, tucked the file under his arm, and stalked towards the door. Kehoe cowered in the corner as he walked by. “I need to find her before she gets herself into more fucking trouble.”

Jacob came out of his chair quickly, blocking Chase's exit. “I don't know what you're hiding, but if it can help find McCaffrey, you need to tell me. Why did she contact Austin, and what is he doing with a file on her?”

“I have no fucking idea.”

Kehoe's voice rattled on behind them, speaking to someone on his headset.

“What?” Both men snapped, turning on him.

Kehoe physically shrivelled, the acidic stench of fear souring the air. “IT says they've got something. They want you both back in the control room.”

Chase pushed past him, and stalked towards the control room with Jacob on his heels.

“What have you got?” Chase asked, bending over the IT agent's shoulder.

“An encrypted message was just delivered to Miss Oliver's phone.”

“McCaffrey,” Chase hissed, through clenched teeth.

“Most likely,” Jacob agreed. “Can you decode it?”

The agent's lips thinned and he shook his head. He was typing frantically, the crackle of voices audible through his headset. “We've got movement. She just exited the back of the building. It appears she's getting into her car. Do you want the agents to stop her?”

“Yes,” Chase bit out.

“No!” Jacob responded sharply, his own irritation creasing his expression. “Inform the agents to follow her. One car in visual range, two further back.”

Chase's nostrils flared with the instinctive anger that shot through his system. “What the hell are you doing?”

“If she's meeting him, then she'll lead us to him.”

He stabbed his finger at Jacob's chest. “We don't know how dangerous he is, or what his plans are for her. It's too risky.”

“You said yourself that it's
you
she's running from.” He put his hand up when Chase opened his mouth to speak. “And right now she's the closest thing we have to a lead on McCaffrey. We need to let this play out. We have eyes on her. The minute he's in range, we'll bring them both in.”

Chase's fists clenched and his jaw tightened, the savage need to protect her making his blood boil. The animal inside him raged. He spun, took two steps, cursed, and then turned back on Jacob. “She's my fucking mate.”

“And
my
sister. I don't want anything to happen to her either.” There was a warning in Jacob's tone, one that he rarely used with Chase. “She's a trained Therian agent. And right now she's about to lead us to McCaffrey.”

Chase looked away for a moment before giving a sharp nod. If it were anyone other than Lora, he knew he wouldn't have an issue with Jacob's orders. They needed the man in custody. Lora was their best chance of locating him. But she was walking into the situation unarmed, and unable to shift.

Suspicion lined Jacob's face. “Unless there's another reason you're worried about her?”

He shook his head, denying the accusation. He turned back to the IT agent, and handed the man his phone. “Sync it with the tracking device on Miss Oliver's phone.”

“I can't let you go after her,” Jacob warned. “The Council is already suspicious of your involvement with McCaffrey, and if you get in the middle of this—”

“Don't try to stop me.” The command grated on his animal instincts that threatened to take over. “I'm already in the middle of it. If it comes down to this job or her, you know what my choice will be.”

The tension between them peaked until Jacob finally gave a curt nod. “Go.”