Freakn' Shifters Bundle (3-in-1) (61 page)

“And who are you once again?”

“Constable Gina Greco with Ottawa Law Enforcement.”

“I’d be delighted to help, constable. Anything to help bring my nephew home, where he belongs.”

Encouraged at her possible lead, Gina asked Mr. Chua a few questions, and had him email a picture of the missing duo, something, oddly enough, the online report lacked. Staring at the Asian faces, the features nothing close to Jill, or Jack for that matter, Gina thanked Mr. Chu for his time and hung up, discouraged.

Another dead end. But she wasn’t about to give up. The mystery of Jack and Jill begged an answer. Tapping her fingers again, she debated her next step. She needed to do something more than research. She called Chris’s cell phone, surprised when he answered. Usually, she went to voicemail because he constantly forgot to charge the damned thing.

“Your timing sucks,” he growled.

“Excellent. I do my best. So what are you up to?”

A rustle of the receiver followed by muffled voices, both which she recognized, made her brows lift. Now his disgruntlement became clear. Chris was busy entertaining another man’s wife. Gina’s emotions vacillated between outrage that Jack’s wife would so blatantly cuckhold him, but at the same time, she no longer felt any guilt over the kiss she’d given the married man.

The hand left the mouthpiece and Chris came back on the line. “Sorry. I was just saying bye to Naomi and her kids.”

“I thought I heard Jill too.”

“You did. Naomi kidnapped her for a girls night and wouldn’t let me keep her.” He sounded so irritated.

“I’m surprised you let her leave. Aren’t you worried about the stories Naomi could tell about you?”

“Of course I’m worried. But, she’ll find out eventually anyway. I’m sure mom already has the slideshow of my most embarrassing moments ready to go.”

Gina giggled. “She does. And I helped her make it.”

“I hate you.”

“I know.”

Chris laughed. “Brat. But I’m sure you didn’t call just to drive me nuts. What’s up? Do I need to bail a family member out jail? Did get Stu get drunk and streak naked again? Please tell me someone got pictures this time.”

A snicker escaped her as she recalled the incident. Best part? She’d gotten Stu drunk in the first place and dared him to do it. Worst part? Her phone with its built in camera died before she could get a shot. “Nobody needs springing, yet, but the day is young. Hey, how’s the water pressure at your house?” Code for, I want to say something and you might want to ensure no one hears me.

It seemed Chris remembered their trick from their prank days because a moment later the gurgle of water rushing from a tap and draining came through the line.

“We’re good,” he said in a hushed voice.

“I called because I wanted to let you know to be careful of your girlfriend.”

“What do you mean?” he asked, his tone measured.

“Either Jack and Jill are in the witness protection program, are running from something, or they’re illegal immigrants. I’m not sure which, nor am I willing to bet there isn’t a possible fourth reason for the fact they don’t exist.”

“In other words, they’re not really Jack and Jill?”

“Probably not.”

“So are they even actually married?”

“Again, I can’t be sure. But something is definitely wonky. So be careful.”

“I will.”

“That’s it? Aren’t you going to ask your girlfriend about it?”

“I’d rather not because I don’t want her thinking I was checking up on her.”

Seriously? Gina rolled her eyes. “You weren’t. I was.”

“She’s a woman. Will she pay attention to that distinction? I’ll wait and see what she tells me on her own. She’s breaking the news that she’s splitting to Jack tomorrow. I’m hoping once she can be with me openly that she’ll trust me enough to tell me what she’s hiding.”

“And if she doesn’t?” Gina left unsaid her great worry that an association with Jill could bring down something worse than an angry husband on their heads. If Jill belonged to a witness protection program, then did they need to worry about someone gunning for her? Would innocent bystanders and family members get caught in a line of fire?

“She’ll tell me. Don’t worry.”

“If you say so, cousin. But don’t ask me to visit you in jail when we find out you’ve married some mob lord’s daughter and you get tossed in the slammer for guilt by association.”

His laughter boomed through their connection. “You have got to stop watching those mafia movies and shows.”

“But they have the best violence.” Although, it wouldn’t hurt to check out a few Jackie Chan flicks. Crisp fight scenes with a hot Asian lead? Hmmm, she’d have to hit a video store on the way home.

“You are one sick chick, Gina.”

“No, sick would be me reminding you not to bend over when it’s shower time in jail.”

“That is wrong on so many levels,” he groaned.

“I know. So you’d better hope whatever the hell is going on is on the up and up.”

“I’ll let you know what happens with Jack and Jill tomorrow.”

“Yeah. Here’s to hoping I don’t have to fetch your body parts in a bucket.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

“You’re welcome. Talk to you later.”

Gina hung up and tapped her lower lip. So, as of tomorrow sometime, Jack would revert to single. How intriguing. Perhaps she should saunter over on Friday to his work and check on the status of her new car. Maybe tempt him to go out for lunch – on her, literally.
Sure, he’d probably protest, but that’s what would make it so much fun. What she didn’t count on was him finding her first.

*

Kaleb hung up with the constable and leaned back in his chair, tenting his fingers over his stomach.
Well, well. The cat has resurfaced.
What an unexpected turn of events. Of course, Kaleb didn’t know yet under what name Sheng hid, or if Jiao was still with him, nor did he have an address, but now he at least had a general area. Ottawa.

Stupid cop. In her search for answers to someone she obviously suspected, she’d given Kaleb enough information for him to reorganize his search for the missing pair. And to think he’d just about given up.

Leaning forward, Kaleb punched a button on his phone, activating the intercom.

“Did you require something, sir?” his secretary queried.

“Have my private jet fueled and brought via small jumps to Edmonton tonight.” Because he liked to keep those watching him guessing.

“Destination for the flight plan?” she asked over the sound of her fingers tapping.

“Our nation’s capital. Ottawa, but make the route erratic.”

“Of course, sir. Unmarked sedans for transportation at all the stopovers to further muddy your travels as well, sir?”

“You read my mind.” Damn but his new secretary was efficient. She knew how he liked his privacy. “And be sure to have the cages packed along with the tranquilizer kits. I’m going hunting.”

And he wouldn’t come back empty handed.

Despite the mini fight she had with Sheng about leaving the house, a fight she won, Jiao spent a fun evening with Naomi and Francine, who also ended up coming over for a girl’s night. They talked a lot, well the she-wolves did, Jiao kind of listened, absorbing their stories, and envying their easy friendship. She didn’t understand the name calling – bitch, wench, skank – but obviously, Naomi and Francine didn’t take offense at the often derogatory terms uttered with affection and laughter.

Best of all, they acted like Jiao was already an accepted part of their group and family. A foregone affair. Now if only she didn’t have to lie to her new friends.

Jiao did her best not to divulge too much; the less lies she told, the better. But evasions and misdirects didn’t mean she completely escaped some uncomfortable moments such as when Naomi asked flat out how she and Jack got together.

Jiao stuck to a partial truth. “We knew each other as children.”

“How do you think he’s going to handle you asking for a divorce?”

“He’s known this has been coming for a while.” Jiao complained often enough. “And while he might be annoyed at first, he’ll eventually understand it’s for the best. We can’t keep going on as we have.” Nope. Jiao couldn’t fake it anymore, not when she wanted to spend every moment with Chris.

“If he tosses you out, and you need a place to stay, you’re welcome to come here until Chris finds you guys a place.”

“You’d take me in?” Jiao’s eyes widened at the offer. “But you barely know me.”

“My instincts about people are good.”

Francine snorted. “Really? Because it took you a while to admit your two jocks were the loves of your life.”

“I did that to keep them on their toes. A girl can’t give in too easily, even if they’re good looking. And persistent. And smarter than I initially gave them credit for.”

Laughter followed and the uncomfortable moment passed. Next thing Jiao knew, she was back home, cheeks sore from smiling, her entire mood bubbly. It only took the loud click as she shut the front door to lose some of her elation pleasure. Shoulders braced, she prepared to face the inquisition.

Or expected to. Where was Sheng with a glower and a shaking finger asking her if she divulged any secrets?

She took a step further in, tossing her handbag on the side table and kicking off her shoes. She opened up her senses. The house smelt fine. The scents all belonged. Her cat didn’t even stir. But something remained amiss. W
here is my brother?
He always greeted her at the door. She peeked into the living room and noted its pristine condition. She wandered into the kitchen. Again, spotless, and Sheng-free. A flicker of light in the hall caught her eye.

“Sheng?” She tried to sound confident but her query emerged low.

“I’m in the office.”

Alone or a prisoner? “Are you hungry?” Prearranged code for ‘Is it safe?’

“No. But I wouldn’t say no to a bowl of ice cream.”

All clear. Tension eased out of her, but puzzlement took its place. She stormed in to their home office and found her brother sitting at the desk, the laptop screen swirling the screen saver pattern. If he was fine then why did he act so strange?

“What the heck is wrong with you?”

Sheng whirled in chair and there was the scowl she loved. “Me? What makes you think anything is?”

“You didn’t meet me at the door.”

“You’re a big girl. I’m pretty sure you know how to lock it after yourself.”

“Aren’t you going to ask me how my evening went?” She readied herself for the barrage of questions and the safety speech.

“I trust you said nothing I should worry about?”

She deflated. “Just our cover story.”

“Good.”

Good?
Who was this alien and where was her brother? She stared at him.

“Did you need something?” His terse query raised her hackles.

“No. I’m going to bed.”

“Sleep tight,
jiā z
ǐ
.”

She turned to go, yet stopped.  “Is everything all right
yet?”

“Fine. Never better.”

“Are you sure?” Because despite his assurance, she didn’t quite believe him. But if they were in danger, she knew they wouldn’t be talking. Sheng would have her packing. So if it wasn’t danger bothering Sheng, what had him so perturbed? Had something happened at work? “You don’t seem yourself. Are you hiding something from me?”

“Why the suspicion? Is someone feeling guilty?”

“Totally. I ignored my diet and totally pigged out on two bite brownies.”

A ghostly reminder of the boy she once knew flitted across his face, a genuine smile there and gone in a blink. “Don’t let yourself get fat now. The gym is almost here.”

Ah yes the gym, and its handsome creator. “I can’t wait.”
Can’t wait until I see Chris again.
Given Sheng’s oddly mellow mood, should she tell him about Chris? About the fact she’d met her mate and wanted to tell him the truth so they could be together?

And ruin the first smile I’ve seen in ages?

Her needs could wait another day. She’d tackle her brother tomorrow after his meeting with Patricia. A hopefully positive meeting.

Fingers and toes crossed, Jiao wished with all her might that Patricia would have good news. In her fantasy, Sheng would come back and tell her they had nothing to fear. Jiao would admit Chris was her mate and that they needed to end the charade. Sheng would of course get mad, dig his heels in for a bit because of his lingering fear, but in the end he’d cave. They’d hug and everyone would live happily ever after.

Or, that was her fanciful plan. She should have known better than to expect easy where her life was concerned.

It started the following day with Sheng’s decision to visit Patricia late in the day, real late which meant Jill couldn’t spend any alone time with Chris, a fact he surely hated. Not that she saw him. Sheng kept a close eye on her and the basement. Drove her to her yoga class and waited for her. Watched her all afternoon making it impossible for her to sneak away under his scrutiny.