Confessions of a Mail Order Bride - Complete (17 page)

I put the tray down on top of the bar and wiped a few drops of perspiration from my forehead. From the other side of the bar Kane winked at me, giving me a devilish grin. I knew that smile well and what I was in for when our shift ended. I couldn’t wait. Kane and I had been almost inseparable since our first time together. 

Kane had been right about the two of us. We complimented each other. He had been able to see past my tough facade and gain my trust. I could see that beneath this blunt, powerful man, was a guy that would not hesitate to defend and protect what was his. Kane was a loving, loyal, and gentle person at his core. If I had any hesitation of his intentions, the moment he bit me all of my doubts had melted away. We were meant for each other. Elvis had given his seal of approval too. He had sulked at first, but after Kane had brought him a few treats from the restaurant he’d quickly come around.

“Hey babes, I need to restock the beer in the back,” Kane flicked back a strand of lanky brown hair. “It’ll take me about thirty minutes or so. Can you and Bree handle the front?”

“Of course we can,” I nodded at Bree, who was polishing the wine glasses from her seated position in a wheelchair. Bree had suffered a complication with her broken leg and it was not healing as it should. She had extended her leave of absence. Though she probably could have flown home and recovered there, she enjoyed being with her brother and taking a much needed break from work. I loved having her around. She was fun to be with. I would miss her when she finally left, but hopefully she would visit more often.

“And don’t forget about the delivery,” Kane called out as he walked towards the backroom. “The truck should be here before lunch.”

“No, no, I didn’t forget,” my face flushed a little as flashes of Brad and I breaking the copy machine washed through my head. There was no way I could forget that the new copy machine was going to be delivered today.

“Where’s Tawny?” Bree asked.

“She called in sick,” I shook my head. With Tawny, one of the waitresses, out, that left only the two of us and the cook to handle the busy lunch crowd. With Bree in the wheelchair, I knew I would have to hustle to take care of all of the tables. I glanced at my watch. It was only 11am. I had an hour or so before it got crazy, and by then Kane would be back.

I looked up at the TV. One of the local station reporters was standing in front of what was left of the Dixie Diner.

“Today we will be interviewing Deputy Bob Griffith,” the reporter leaned in closer to the camera. “Deputy Bob is confident that he has solved the mystery of who has been setting the fires in Shifter Villages, and in breaking news he will reveal his name.”

“Breaking news my ass. Bob has been saying Max did it since the first fire was set. He even arrested the guy.” Tom said. “Why don’t they look for the real culprit?” Tom was one of the bar and grill’s regulars. He was sitting near the end of the bar with his girlfriend, Stacy.

“What do you think, Marcie? Do you think Max did it?” Stacy asked.

“I don’t know, Stacy. Max is so quiet and shy. He just doesn’t seem like the type.” Max had eaten at the diner a few times a week. He rarely said anything and had always ordered the same meal of eggs, ham, and black coffee.

“You never know about those quiet and shy types,” Bree piped up. “But I talked to Kane about it the night of the fire when Deputy Bob arrested him. He said Max was a good guy, and Kane reads people pretty well.”

“He
is
a good guy,” Tom said, shaking his head. “He’s helped me out a time or two.”

“You don’t think he’s guilty, Tom?”

“No, I don’t. I think that Max gets blamed for a lot because of his scars. They make him look mean so people think he is.”

“Well, it’s hard to explain what they found in his car. I mean, there was a can of gas in there, a chainsaw and…,” Stacy pointed to the TV screen. “Bob sure thinks he’s guilty.”

I glanced up at the TV to see the reporter standing next to Deputy Bob. His arms crossed in front of him, Bob had a smug look on his face.

“Are we live yet?” Bob asked, squinting into the camera and slicking back his hair.

“Yes, we’re live now, Deputy.”

“Oh…” Bob said. He puffed out his chest and stood up as straight as he could, grinning into the camera.

The reporter lifted up the microphone. “So, we’re chatting today with Shifter Villages’ Deputy Bob Griffith regarding the fires that have been set throughout the area. Deputy Griffith told us earlier he feels that Max Harris, the co-owner of the Big Bull Inn, is the culprit.” The reporter turned towards Bob and held the microphone to his mouth. “So, tell us Deputy Griffith, what makes you feel that Max Harris is the culprit and that you’ve solved the case?”

Bob flashed a cheesy smile. “As sure as I’m standing here, that man—Max Harris—has guilt written all over him. Yes, he’s the one.”

“Are you sure?” the reporter asked.

“Oh yeah, and I could have had this case wrapped up but Sheriff Matthews disagreed with me and let him out the last time I arrested him,” Bob chortled. “But the Sheriff ain’t always right,” he said, puffing out his chest. “Sometimes he needs to listen to his Deputy. I caught Max red-handed.”

The reporter leaned in closer to Bob. “So, you actually caught him in the act of starting the fire?”

“No, but close enough. I got word the fire had started and I thought quickly. I stopped vehicles in the area and did a search on them. Max’s truck was one of them. He had a gas can filled to the brim with gasoline, a chainsaw, a shovel, and a lighter in his vehicle. Now if that isn’t guilty, I don’t know what is,” Bob said smugly.

The reporter wrinkled her brow. “Did he have another gas can?”

“No,” Deputy Bob replied, “there was just one.”

“So, you said the gas can was filled to the brim?”

“Yes, that’s right. It was totally full to the tip top of the can,” Bob replied. “It was a lot of gasoline that could start a lot of fires.”

“But, if that’s the case, how could he have set the fire?”

Bob looked puzzled.

The reporter persisted. “If the can was full and he only had one can, then what gas was used to start the…”

“Umm…yes…I mean, no, it wasn’t quite filled to the brim.”

“But you just said it was filled to the brim, Deputy.”

“Well…I meant close to the brim, just enough gone to start a big fire.”

“So, if he was using the gas and lighter to start the fire, what do you think the chainsaw and shovel were used for?”

Bob pursed his lips, then waved his hand at the reporter. “Listen up. I got to get going. I got crimes to solve. No time for this nonsense,” he grinned at the camera. “Never fear folks. Deputy Bob is here, and I will be out saving citizens and fighting crime.”

“Deputy Bob, Deputy Bob!” the reporter called out, but Bob had taken off.

The reporter turned back towards the camera. “As you have heard today, Deputy Bob suspects Max Harris of starting the fires in Shifter Villages.” A photograph of Max flashed across the screen.

Bree moved her wheelchair closer to the TV, her eyes widening. “So that’s Max Harris?”

Tom jerked his thumb towards the screen. “Yeah, that’s him. He’s a hard one to miss. He’s got scars all over his face.”

“Wha…what happened?” Bree asked softly.

“He got in a fight with some nasty shifters. He was defending his mom. They slashed him up pretty good—killed his mom,” Tom said.

“That’s awful!” Bree exclaimed.

“Yeah, it sucks for him. He lost his mother, and…” Stacy said, curling her lip, “he was hot before. With those scars, no woman wants him now. He scares them.”

“Well…I don’t think he looks so bad,” Bree said, eyeing the TV. “I think the scars make him look rugged and sexy!”

Stacy’s eyes widened.

“Well, his brother Vic must be freaking out. The Harris boys have always been close—even closer since their mom died. It must be killing Vic to know his brother is in jail,” Tom shook his head, “not the best situation.”

I clicked the TV to another channel and shook my head. “That’s sheer craziness.”

“The way Deputy Bob talks, Max Harris doesn’t stand a snowball’s chance in hell.”

“What ever happened to innocent till proven guilty?” Stacy asked.

“Who’s guilty?” a low, growly voice interrupted.

As I looked up, I saw Brad Stanford easing into a barstool!

“Brad Stanford!” My mouth dropped open. This was a small town, and I knew Brad must have heard I was working here and that Kane and I were a couple. What a nerve he had to show his face here.

“I heard you left the diner and were working here. I came to see what my favorite, hot little waitress was up to.”

“I didn’t leave the diner,” I spat. “It caught on fire. There was no diner left to work at. Kane was kind enough to offer me a job.”

“Oh, was he now?” A twisted grin crossed Brad’s face. “Guess he took my advice to get some of the best tail in Shifter Villages.”

“Brad Stanford, you fuckin…” but I caught myself. I was happy with my man and my job, and Brad was a pathetic, disgusting creep. Why let him mess with my mind? I could tell from the look on his face he was egging me on and trying to upset me. I glanced over at Tom and Stacy. They were pretending to nurse their drinks but I could tell they were listening to every word we exchanged. Bree was listening too, and an angry expression had worked its way across her pretty face.

“Maybe you should leave,” Bree seethed through clenched teeth.

“My, oh my,” Brad said, noticing Bree in her wheelchair for the first time. “You’re a pretty little thing.”

“And you’re a pretty big jerk,” Bree said.

I had told Bree about Brad during one of our girl talks—so she knew all about him. It made me feel good that she was trying to protect me, but Brad was my problem, not hers.

“Give me a whiskey,” Brad demanded.

“No. I’m not serving you.”

“Doesn’t a man have a right to a drink?” Brad whined.

“Not when he’s an asshole,” I said sourly. “Just get lost.”

“Not even one shot of whiskey?”

I glowered at Brad. “Not even one shot of whiskey.”

“Well, how about a kiss then?” Brad leered at me. “I miss your sweet lips and you know I miss that juicy, curvy body of yours.”

“Get a move on, Brad.”

“Why would you want to work in this dump when you could come with me and live the rich life?”

I waved my hand dismissively at Brad. I’d had enough of his stupid chatter. I was just about to say something when I heard Kane’s voice coming from behind the door leading to the backroom.

Kane pushed the door open. “Marcie, there’s a black car parked in the ‘No Parking - Unloading Only’ zone on the right side of the building,” Kane glanced over and saw Brad. “Is that your car?”

Brad nodded. “Yep, that sweet ride is all mine. Do you like it?”

Kane brushed off the question. He knew my history with Brad Stanford and I could see anger in his eyes.

“It’s fully loaded; leather and suede upholstery, wood trim, a touch screen system which can be activated by my voice, powerful engine…”

Kane knitted his brows. “Well that’s good for you, Brad. But you need to move it.”

“You want me to move my car because it bugs you that I’m more successful than you? You’re fucking jealous!”

“No, Brad.”

I could see Kane’s patience was wearing thin, but he was used to handling obnoxious customers.

“I need you to move it because we have trucks coming in to unload.”

“And what if I don’t want to move it?” Brad asked.

“You park there at your own risk.”

“Oh yeah, ok. No one would mess with the Bradmobile,” Brad grinned. “And look what I just bought for it,” Brad dangled something in the air.

I took a closer look. It was a keychain.

“It’s yellow gold mixed with stainless steel and monogrammed with my initials—nice, huh?”

Kane grunted. I could see he’d had enough.

“And,” Brad continued, “it was only five hundred dollars,” Brad winked at me. “That’s right, Marcie, five hundred dollars.”

I gasped as what Brad was saying smacked me in the face. Five hundred dollars—that was the amount of money he’d taken from me. The amount I had left in the cookie jar. He’d used the money he’d stolen from me—money that I needed for the basics in life, like food and rent, to buy a freakin’ keychain.

I’d been trying to keep my cool, but suddenly I lost it. “Brad Stanford, you’re a fucking loser!”

“Marcie, hey…hey…” Kane wrapped his arm around my shoulder.

“This asshole stole money from me and he used the money to buy that stupid keychain.” I spat out the words jabbing my finger towards Brad.

Kane glared at Brad.

Brad made a face. “
You
are calling
me
an asshole? That’s some nerve Marcie Shore—or should I say, Ms. Hardcore Shore. You’ve got a nerve calling me a name like that, especially when the whole town knows you’re nothing but a slut,” Brad looked at Kane. “Why don’t you just fuck her Kane? You don’t have to make her your mate. She likes to open her legs.”

That was it. Suddenly Kane’s face twisted with rage. Before I could stop him, he was transitioning into his coyote.

“No Kane, don’t!” I screamed. “It’s not worth it.” A wolf is larger and more powerful than a coyote, so as tough as Kane was, I knew he would be hard pressed to go against Brad in his animal. 

“I’m calling the cops!” Bree exclaimed.

I glanced quickly to the end of the bar. Stacy and Tom’s eyes were wide with surprise. I knew they were in shock. They wouldn’t be of much help.

I rushed towards Brad but he knocked me aside as he transitioned into his wolf. Bones crunched, expanded, and fur exploded from his body as Brad’s wolf came out. Brad knew his wolf won in a size war over Kane in his coyote, and he bounded towards Kane, ready for the kill.

Kane bared his razor-sharp teeth and hissed. Brad, his fur bristling, taunted Kane, walking menacingly around him.

“Stop it!” I screamed. “Stop it!”

Brad started lunging at Kane’s head, his powerful jaws snapping, but Kane was faster. He quickly sunk his teeth deep into Brad’s leg. Brad howled in pain as he tried to pull away, but Kane would not let go. Brad had not counted on Kane’s fierce will. Kane’s mouth was clenched tightly around his leg and Brad yipped in shock as blood spurted from within the tissue. The harder Brad tried to free himself, the more Kane dug in. Brad tried to pull on Kane’s abdomen with his teeth but couldn’t latch on. He was in obvious pain with his leg. Somehow, Brad managed to flip Kane in the air and bash him down on the ground, but as he went in to attack further, Kane leapt at him and bit him in the throat.

Just as Kane leaned in to chew more of Brad, a huge crash rocked the building. The sudden jolt caused the two animals to break apart.

“What the hell was that?!” Bree cried out.

Before the two had a chance to go at it again, I slung myself in front of Kane. “Enough, stop it now! You’re both going to end up in the hospital or in the morgue!”

Brad snarled, but I could see the way he was warily eyeing Kane that he knew Kane could take him, despite Kane being a smaller size in his animal.

“Kane will kill you, Brad.”

Kane glowered at Brad. I could see the rage in his eyes and I knew I had to contain him before he attacked Brad again.

“And Kane, I need you.” I could barely get the words out I was so upset. “Do you want Sherriff Matthews to lock you up for killing this…this asshole? He’s not worth it!”

The two shifters growled at each other, both breathing heavily.

“Change back!” I demanded.

Brad seemed eager to take the opportunity to get out of the fight and he started transitioning. Kane was slower, but he reluctantly transitioned too. I could see a lot of anger in their movements as they pulled on their clothes.

At that moment a man pushed open the door. “I’m so sorry…so sorry…whoa, what the hell is going on here?”

We all looked over to see a man holding a clipboard entering the restaurant.

“It’s none of your fucking business,” Brad moaned. He leaned down, clutching his leg.

“Don’t be rude, Brad. What are you sorry about…umm…” Sabrina read the label on the man’s shirt, “Ray?”

The man had a worried expression on his face. “I was just coming to deliver a copier machine and I was pulling in the unloading zone and, well, I…I swear I didn’t see it.”

“What? What didn’t you see? What happened?” I asked.

The deliveryman shook his head. “I slammed into a fancy black car parked there!”