Shifter Wars Read Online Free Page A

newspaper sat waiting for him. We settled on opposite benches, and he gazed at me for a moment before speaking. I always let him initiate our conversations.
    “I understand you had a bit of a run-in last night.”
    “The mugger? It wasn’t a big deal.”
    “Word is you saved Bobby Joe’s life.”
    I flipped over the empty mug on the table as the waitress hustled toward us. She filled my mug and topped off his before rushing away.
    “I scared the guy off.”
    “Well, it’s the most excitement Mesquite has had in a while.”
    I smiled. “It’s the most excitement I’ve had in a while.”
    He took a sip of coffee and gazed at me some more. “Why are you here, Kyle?”
    “I wanted some coffee.”
    He frowned.
    “You mean, why am I in Mesquite?”
    “We can start there, yes.”
    I shrugged. “I needed a change. I got in my car, drove here, and stopped.”
    “And what made you stop?”
    For some reason, I was sure he didn’t want a flip answer. “I honestly don’t know. I stopped here after being in my car for two days, and it just felt right to stay.”
    “And now?”
    “Now, I don’t know what I’m supposed to be doing.”
    He tapped his fingers on the table. “Maybe you can’t move forward until you face your past.”
    “You’re the second person who’s said that to me in the past twenty-four hours.”
    He smiled. “Maybe it’s a sign. I follow signs.”
    “Are you a shaman?”
    “Nope, but I know when it’s time to stop running and face up to the truth.”
    “You never mince words.”
    “At my age, I don’t have time to hem and haw about things. Just tell it straight.”
    “So you think it’s time for me to go home?” I asked.
    “What do you think?”
    I huffed. “That you sound like a shrink.”
    He chuckled. “A psychiatrist would charge you two hundred bucks an hour for this conversation. You’re getting off cheap.”
    “You’re right. At least let me buy your coffee.”
    He stood and picked up his newspaper. “Dwight doesn’t make me pay for the coffee.”
    “Even better for me.” I stood as well. “Thanks.”
    “Have a good trip home. I’ll see you around.”
    I smiled. Running Wolf was apparently under the impression I had made my decision already.
    As usual, he was right.
    * * *
    My packed duffels waited by my hotel door. Dwight had been his enigmatic self when I told him I needed to go home for a while. To assuage my guilt for leaving without two weeks’ notice, I’d worked a double shift. Now I was tired and hungry. It was late, so I treated myself to a chicken wrap and salad from room service.
    I sat on the desk chair waiting for my food, afraid I would fall asleep if I sat on the bed. My cell rang, and I jumped. Other than the casino, I didn’t get many calls. Whoever was calling me this late better have a damn good reason. Maybe it was Griffin again.
    I picked up the phone and glanced at the caller ID. The life I had been hiding from the last few months came rushing back to me in a tidal wave.
    “Hello, Misha.”
    “It’s so good to hear your voice, little one.”
    My chest tightened. The sound of his deep, Russian-accented voice brought tears to my eyes. “You too, Mish.”
    He cleared his throat, and his voice came out gravelly. “We miss you, and we need you back at work. There’s been an incident.”
    I sat up straighter. “Is Jean Luc okay?”
    “Yes, he’s fine. It’s the Connors.”
    Oh, God, not again. “Has something happened to Trina?”
    “She’s fine for now. She came home from school the other day and told her mom someone was following her.”
    “Is Trina remembering anything from her kidnapping?”
    “No, your memory scrub seems to be holding.”
    I almost blurted out that I had her memories now, but I held my tongue. “Poor Tim and Stephanie, they don’t need any reminders of what they went through last summer.”
    “They’ve asked if you will help with the investigation.”
    “I’ll catch the first plane home. I won’t be