Confusion settled over him as he tried to follow the conversation. “Doesn’t do what?”
The young man’s cheeks flushed red and his lips firmed, but he didn’t give ground.
“What Leon is trying so tactfully to say is that I’m no longer in the business of entertaining men for money, Mr.…” She let the word dangle in the air.
He studied the woman who’d entered the garage from a door at the back. He knew who she was, but she wasn’t quite what he’d expected. James had described her as a bleached blonde, a bit brash, but with a big heart. He’d had a picture of a woman with too much hard living showing on her face wearing revealing clothing and too much makeup.
This woman was a brunette and she was wearing jeans, sneakers and a blue sweater that hinted at attributes beneath. It was impossible to hide a bust that large, but she was obviously doing her best.
“Isaiah,” he offered, holding out his hand.
She walked closer, her movements fluid, her hips swaying. Her eyes were cool and clinical as she studied him. There was the woman who’d spent years walking the streets, the woman who’d lost herself to drugs and alcohol before she found the inner strength to drag herself out. She took his hand and gave it a firm shake.
“Well, Isaiah, what can I do for you?”
“I need to talk to you.” He glanced at Leon. “Alone.”
Leon walked up to stand beside Divine. “I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”
She patted his arm. “I’ll be fine.” She glanced at Isaiah. “I don’t think he’s looking to harm me. Are you?”
He shook his head, liking the feisty woman more and more with each passing minute. No wonder both Alex and James spoke fondly of her. “No, ma’am.”
She laughed, a low, throaty laugh that hinted at many years of cigarettes and booze. “Come on up. I was just having a second cup of coffee.”
Divine turned and headed toward the door at the back. He started to follow, but Leon stopped him with a hand on his arm. Isaiah glanced down at the hand and then at Leon. His cheeks were still red, but determination was etched on his face. “Don’t do anything you’ll regret.” He removed his hand and slapped the wrench into his palm. The warning was obvious. Hurt Divine and he’d come after Isaiah with the wrench.
Damn, if he wasn’t beginning to understand how James could stay here all those years. These people understood loyalty, like a pack.
“You coming?” Divine called.
He said nothing, but followed her up the stairs and into her apartment. He peered around with interest, curious to see where Alex had grown up. She talked about it often.
There wasn’t anything out of the ordinary. A living room opened into a dining and kitchen area. He assumed the bedrooms and bath were down the short hallway. He could easily see James here. He was a man who didn’t need much in the way of luxury.
On closer inspection, he could see a woman’s touch in the cushions on the sofa and a hot-pink throw tossed over a chair. A loud click yanked him from his musings and brought him back to the situation at hand.
“Who the hell are you really and what do you want?” Divine was standing behind the kitchen counter a 9mm held expertly in her hands.
Isaiah raised his hands in surrender and took a step closer. “I told you who I am.” The bullets would hurt, but they wouldn’t leave any lasting damage. He was a werewolf and would heal quickly.
She sent that thought out through the window with her next words. “I know you’re one of them. You’re not the first one to stop by to visit.” She raised her hands slightly and aimed at his heart. “The bullets in this thing are coated in silver.”
He froze, his respect for her growing in leaps and bounds. For a human female to challenge him in such a manner was astonishing. He could move quick enough to disarm her, but not without possibly taking a hit.
His acute hearing picked up a squeak on the stairs and he knew they were about to have company.
He lowered his right hand to his pocket.
“Leave ’em where I can see ’em,” she ordered.
“Do what the lady said.” Leon stepped into the room, rifle at the ready.
Isaiah shook his head. The situation would be funny if it weren’t so ridiculous. “James Riley sent me. I figured I could call him and he could vouch for me.”
Her eyes widened and her hand shook slightly before she steadied it. “How is Alex?”
He smiled. “Happily mated to my brother.”
Divine frowned. “Phone her. I want to talk to Alex. But make it slow.”
Her eyes never wavered as he gingerly reached into his pocket with two fingers and drew out his phone. He dialed the number and held it to his ear, waiting impatiently for his brother to answer.
“Yeah.”
“I need to speak with the little woman.”
Joshua laughed. “Don’t let her hear you call her that or you’ll be in trouble. What do you need her for?”
Isaiah shifted slightly, keeping both Leon and Divine in sight. “Let’s just say I’m having a little trouble with the locals. They seem to think I’m one of the bad guys.”
His brother snorted. “They’re smarter than I thought.”
“Ha. Ha.” For someone who hadn’t shown much of a sense of humor his entire life, Joshua had certainly developed a warped one since he’d met Alex. “You’re not the one with a rifle and a 9mm pointed at him. With silver bullets,” he added.
Joshua gave a whoop of laughter and called for his wife. A few seconds later, Alex came on the line. “What’s wrong? Joshua is grinning like a loon but won’t tell me anything.”
Isaiah silently thanked his brother for small miracles. “I’m going to put you on speaker. Hang on.” He pressed a button and held up the phone. “You still there, Alex?”
Her voice came over the speaker load and clear. “I’m here. Now what’s this all about?”
“Is that really you, Alex?” Divine’s voice quavered and her eyes filled with tears. “I’ve been so worried about you and your dad.”
“Divine?”
“Yeah.” Divine swiped at her eyes with the back of her left hand, but kept the gun in her right. “Who is this guy?”
“He’s my brother-in-law. He looks mean, but he’s really a great guy.”
Isaiah wondered if he shouldn’t tuck his tail between his legs and just make a run for it. Between his brother and Alex his tough reputation was in tatters.
“Yeah? He does look mean. The way he moves reminded me of James. How is he?”
“Dad is good. He’s enjoying being back home.”
“So you’re not coming back.” Sadness tinged Divine’s voice.
Alex’s tone softened. “No, we’re not coming back. I’ll be back for a visit, but not until some of the heat dies down.”
“Tell James that we had another one of those hunters down here, but Otto and his sons sent him packing.” She paused and bit her bottom lip. “We also had one of them werewolves here. They were looking for you and wouldn’t leave.”
“What happened? You weren’t hurt, were you, Divine?” Isaiah could hear Alex’s concern in every word. He could also hear the love and respect that each woman had for the other.
“We took care of it.” Her words were tough, but Divine paled slightly. It was then he knew she’d had a part in killing the wolf. She straightened her shoulders and continued. “Tell James the garage is still here if he wants it. I took his advice and Leon is working down there now. He doesn’t have the same touch with cars that your father does, but he’s good.”
“The building is yours now, Divine.” Alex brought the conversation around to his reason for being there. “Isaiah’s there to pack up all our stuff and drive it back home.” There was a pregnant pause. “I really can’t tell you where, Divine. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” She laid the 9mm back into a kitchen drawer and shut it. Off to his left, Leon slowly lowered the rifle he was holding and disappeared out through the door. Isaiah heard his muffled footsteps on the stairs as he went back down to the garage. “It’s probably better that way.”