Devon forced her attention away from the door as Liam came back inside. He set the cordless back on the bar and took a seat on one of the high stools. She brought her head up, and in the large mirror that lined the wall, Liam’s eyes met hers. He held her gaze for a long silent moment that she swore lasted years. It made absolutely no sense that she didn’t feel even a little nervous under the weight of his stare.
“Did you get ahold of someone?” She didn’t want to pry, but curiosity ate at her. Who had he called? And why was she saying a silent prayer that whoever it was hadn’t been a wife or girlfriend?
Liam nodded and Devon turned to face him. “I did. My cousin.”
There were more like him? Devon’s knees went a little weak as she imagined what that gene pool must look like. “Is he coming to get you?” Disappointment soured her tone. Ugh. Not at all needy, or overeager, Devon.
The door swung wide to let in a draft of icy wind. Kelly Hartsock, one of Devon’s regulars who happened to work for the road department strode in. He was decked out in his usual work attire: heavy-duty Carhartt insulated overalls and coat, Sorel boots, ski gloves, and stocking hat. He shucked his coat and gloves and pulled the beanie from his head to reveal the flattened-down mass of his dark brown hair. He threw a friendly nod Liam’s way and paused as he looked him up and down, his expression perplexed. Devon swallowed down a groan. She could only imagine what Kelly thought about Liam’s outfit. Thankfully, Liam was confident enough to own it without looking a bit embarrassed. Kelly threw a grin Liam’s way and said, “Looks like someone had a wild night,” before bellying up to the bar to take a seat on one of the stools. “Got any coffee, Devon?”
She grinned and winked at Kelly. “When have you known me to not have coffee?” Her conversation with Liam would have to be put on hold. She grabbed a mug from beneath the bar and poured Kelly a cup. “How’s your day so far?”
Kelly’s eyes lit with the sort of excitement that indicated he was about to share some juicy gossip. “Did you hear someone found a body up by Kirkham hot springs yesterday afternoon?”
Devon snapped to attention. Her eyes went wide as they met Liam’s and an anxious tremor vibrated through her. He didn’t give anything away. His expression remained inscrutable, which didn’t do anything to assuage her blossoming fear.
“N-no.” She cleared her throat and willed her tone to remain conversational. Liam turned his attention to Kelly and Devon followed suit. “Where did you hear that?”
Kelly leaned in as though about to confide a secret. “Ted Davis.”
Ted Davis worked as a deputy for the Boise County Sheriff’s Department. If anyone was a credible source, he was. “Was it a car accident?” Please, please let it be a car accident. Liam’s appearance last night couldn’t be a coincidence. He’d been bloodied as though he’d taken a pretty good beating, but last night, as well as this morning, Devon hadn’t seen a single scratch on his perfect body. No bruises, either. She’d thought it was a little weird, but now, she couldn’t help but feel unnerved. Had someone else’s blood been all over Liam when she’d found him last night?
“Not as far as Ted thought. The guy’s car was in the parking lot. Some folks driving through to Sun Valley stopped there to soak yesterday before the storm hit and found the body on an outcropping of rocks a few feet away from the top pool. Ted said it looked like maybe the guy’s neck had been broken.”
Devon swallowed against the lump that rose in her throat. “He could have slipped?” The rocks surrounding the hot springs were slippery in the summer. Covered with ice, it wouldn’t be tough for someone to lose his footing and fall.
Kelly shook his head. “He was beat to shit. It’s not official, but Ted said they’re calling in the state police to investigate it as a murder.”
Liam sat, calm and collected as a saint in church. Not exactly what Devon would expect from someone who might’ve committed a murder. Then again, if he was some sort of sociopath, he probably wouldn’t have any qualms at all about his victim being found. Jesus. Was she seriously contemplating the possibility that Liam was some sort of serial killer? It would be just her luck that the first guy she’d met in months who managed to get her attention would be on some sort of Idaho backwoods killing spree.
“Animal tracks?” The words left Devon’s mouth in a garbled rush. She’d remembered Liam asking her if there had been any animal tracks in the snow where she’d found him. Why was she grasping at straws in order to defend someone she wasn’t even sure needed defending?
Kelly’s brow pinched. “What?”
Devon took a deep breath, which only served to make her chest feel tighter. “Were there any animal tracks near the body? It could have been a wolf. Or a cougar.”
Kelly shrugged. “Don’t know. Ted didn’t mention anything about an animal attack. I guess we’ll find out what he has to say after the state troopers get up here and start poking around.” With his epic gossip delivered, Kelly turned his attention to the steaming mug of coffee in front of him.
Devon stared at nothing as she tried to gather her jumbled thoughts. She didn’t make eye contact with Liam. Couldn’t. She knew there would be an accusation in her gaze whether intentional or not. She’d never had much of a poker face.
“I don’t suppose the police identified the victim?”
Devon and Kelly turned simultaneously to look at Liam. The rumble of his deep voice resonated through her in a way that shook Devon to her foundation. All signs pointed to him being some sort of psycho killer and still, she found herself drawn to him in a way that she couldn’t explain or understand. You sure know how to pick ’em, Devon. Jesus.
“All I know is Ted said the guy wasn’t local,” Kelly replied. Lots of people traveled through Lowman on their way to Stanley, Sun Valley, and countless other places. People came from all over to get a glimpse of the Sawtooth Mountains. Highway 21 was a favorite for road-trippers and motorcyclists. Though the latter didn’t usually travel through until the snow had melted for the year. The guy could have been from anywhere and his murderer could’ve been anyone … “The car had Colorado plates.”
Against her will, her eyes found Liam’s. His expression remained impassive, but serious with the penetrating intensity that never seemed to waver. For the second time, she noticed the color of his eyes lightened from a rich, deep brown to a honeyed hue. Was it the play of light or a figment of her imagination? She looked away before her own expression gave her doubts away.
It was obvious Liam Murphy was a dangerous man. But was he a murderer?
* * *
More disconcerting than the bomb that had just been dropped, or even Liam’s own doubts and worries, was Devon’s reaction to it all. Liam could still taste the bitter tang of her fear on the back of his tongue. Kelly might have been oblivious to Devon’s unease, but Liam’s senses were much sharper. It wasn’t only her scent, but the slight shift of her body that became more defensive. Her pupils dilated and her muscles tensed. Not enough for anyone but perhaps a werewolf to notice. Devon thought Liam had murdered someone at the hot springs. And why shouldn’t she?
Colorado plates. Again, Liam knew it couldn’t be a coincidence. The last thing he needed was for local law enforcement to get involved in pack business. The supernatural community had policed itself for thousands of years without the interference of humanity. Granted, Liam didn’t know if the dead man had been human or not but considering the circumstances, it was likely a supernatural. Perhaps another shifter, or a rogue werewolf. Liam had told Owen to sit tight, but now he was wondering if it wouldn’t be better to have Owen and a few others drive down from Stanley. The pack dynamic guaranteed they were more effective as a group. Alone, Liam could only do so much.
“You still have that forty-five under the counter, Devon?”
Liam’s eyes slid to Kelly. It was obvious he wanted Liam—a perfect stranger—to know Devon had the means to protect herself. In a town that was literally a bathroom break on the way to somewhere else, anyone who wasn’t a local would be under suspicion. Liam’s wolf let loose a warning growl. Devon didn’t need anyone but him to protect her.
“I do,” Devon replied. “Hopefully I won’t have to use it, though.”
“If push comes to shove,” Kelly said, “don’t even think about it. Just pull the trigger.”
Liam needed to get to the bottom of whatever the hell was going on. Before this area drew the attention of more than the local sheriff and state police. Secrecy was key. The isolation of these small mountain towns—not to mention acres of wilderness—were what drew packs like Liam’s and kept their secrets protected. It was essential they keep a low profile.
“I’ve taken self-defense.” Devon grabbed the coffeepot from the warmer and refreshed Kelly’s cup. Liam wanted the human out of here so he could have a private word with Devon. But it seemed she wanted him here for as long as possible. “I know what to do.”
Liam scoffed. Lots of people thought they could handle themselves in a hostile situation. Thinking you could and following through were two completely different things.
“What?” Devon turned her attention to Liam. Finally. He was sick and tired of her dealing with her nerves by pretending he wasn’t there. “You don’t think I can handle myself?”
He fought the urge not to crack a grin at her agitated expression. Anything was better than her fear, however. She cocked a challenging brow and Liam was sorely tempted to push himself off the stool and teach her a lesson. Maybe later. When they were alone and curious eyes didn’t watch, he’d make sure she was properly educated on how to defend herself.
“I’m sure you know what to do,” Liam replied. “But like your friend just said, you can’t hesitate. That’s the first mistake people make in an attack situation.”
Devon let out an indignant huff of breath. “What makes you think I’d hesitate?”
He gave a casual shrug. “It’s human nature.”
Her beautiful hazel eyes narrowed. “So is survival instinct.”
She wasn’t going to win this argument. “So is compassion.”
Supernatural creatures were much closer to their animal natures than humans. Especially those who dealt with duality like werewolves and shifters. Animal instinct was wired into their psyches. Hell, their very souls. Compassion didn’t always play into the equation. At least, not right away. Devon needed to realize that and quiet the part of her brain that would second-guess her gut.
“You’re saying I’d have compassion for someone who was about to attack me?”
Kelly swiveled in his seat to face Liam. His expression was pleasant as though he enjoyed the exchange. Likewise, it was apparent he’d seen Devon in similar verbal sparring matches in the past. It seemed he was settling in for the show, anxious to see who would come out on top.
“I’m saying, you’d consider whether or not an attacker was truly a threat before deciding if you should protect yourself or not.”
Devon’s mouth formed a petulant pucker and Liam’s eyes focused on the petal-soft flesh he was dying to kiss. “Try me.”
Dear gods. He could read so much into those two simple words. She had no idea how much he wanted to try. Her lips, her soft skin, her mouth, and the wet tight heat of … Whoa. Liam shifted in his seat. The last thing he needed was for Devon—and the guy sitting next to him—to see the evidence of his lascivious thoughts.
He’d try her and then some. Later. When she had a chance to settle into the reality of what she was to him. Until then, he’d settle for teaching her a quick lesson about the misguidedness of human ego.
Without a word, Liam hopped down from the bar stool. He held out his arms, inviting her to give it her best shot. Devon cast a superior glance Kelly’s way and the two exchanged smiles that stirred Liam’s wolf to thoughts of violence. The wolf didn’t like that they were friendly. The wolf was too damned territorial for his own good.
Devon rounded the bar. She threw her shoulders back as she approached Liam, a sexy smirk curving her full lips. Her hand came up to brush the length of her dark hair off her shoulder as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other.
“Okay,” she said. “I’m ready. Attack me.”
Liam gave a sad shake of his head. “See, that’s your first mistake. No one is going to give you a warning before they jump you.”
She cut him a look. “There’s not exactly an opportunity for spontaneity when you practically called me out.”
Liam let out a chuff of laughter. “Called you out?”
“Yeah.” Her indignant tone only served to further fuel his amusement. “You basically said I couldn’t handle myself. All I want is the opportunity to prove you wrong.”
His wolf was more than ready to rise to the challenge. To teach her a lesson and put her in her place. For no other reason than to prove to her that she needed them to protect her. Completely juvenile. And yet, Liam wasn’t about to change his course.
Rather than lunge at her, he dug his bare feet into the soles of the rubber and neoprene boots and kept himself rooted in place.
A mischievous glint shone in Devon’s eyes. “Nice outfit.”
Antagonistic. He liked it. With every passing moment, Liam became more enamored with her. “Thanks,” he replied. “It’s a Liam Murphy original.”
Her mouth twitched as though fighting a smile. “Don’t you mean it’s a Devon Kincaid original?”
He kept his eyes glued to hers. “Whatever.”
“I gave you a chance to prove your point. But if you don’t have the balls…” She let out an exasperated huff of breath before turning on a heel. The second she turned her back on him, Liam’s wolf surged to the forefront of his psyche. He was a predator, after all. And Devon had just made herself prey.