“He didn’t. Shifters and humans can’t procreate, unless the human’s your One. We’re not biologically compatible. That’s what makes human women so much fun,” Bull told him, wagging his eyebrows. “All the fun, with none of the consequences.”
“I take it she didn’t know this?” Chad asked Rome.
“She either didn’t know or didn’t believe it. Lulu thinks it was the latter. The woman was convinced Ned was her mate and was pissed that he wasn’t living up to his responsibilities.”
“So what’s this woman’s name?” Chad asked, impatient to hunt her down.
“That’s the problem. No one remembers. They all remember the incident, but she moved away once it was clear that Ned had no intention of marrying her. That was over forty years ago, maybe longer,” Rome finished on a sigh.
“So based on Tameka’s theory, we have the woman’s daughter who believes that Ned was her father and therefore, the land should rightfully belong to her,” Chad concluded.
“It fits. If the woman was convinced Ned was the dad, and she convinced the daughter, then the kid grew up believing her father rejected her. Revenge is definitely a motive for murder, especially if she grew up in less than ideal surroundings and feels ‘dear old dad’ should have been there making life a little easier. It would also explain why she’s fixated on Tameka’s property,” Bull supposed.
“As well as her dislike of shifter/human relationships, considering what she believes happened between her mother and Ned,” Leo threw in.
“We know she’s a threat to Chad. Today’s incident proves that,” Rome stated.
Chad didn’t think some crazy bitch trying to kill him qualified as only an ‘incident,’ but he let it go.
“The question is, is she a threat to Tameka? So far she’s only tried to buy her off and scare her away.” Rome looked at each of them, waiting for their opinion.
“Right now she sees Meka as an obstacle to getting what she wants,” Chad said slowly, thinking out loud. “She may even see her as a victim, like her mother. Hence the pictures and the dog. Meka thinks she was trying to warn her off, embarrass her into ending the relationship. She may not even realize Meka knows what I am.”
“What concerns me is that she’s already killed once to get what she wanted,” Leo said.
“What was the trigger?” They all gazed inquiringly at Bull.
“I mean, this chick’s how old? Why now? Why wait? Why not approach Ned when she was younger if she knew about him and blamed him for the way she was raised.”
“That’s a very good question,” Rome said, a considering look on his face.
“Maybe she didn’t know,” Leo speculated. “Maybe something happened—mother died, etc.—and she came across the information afterwards.”
“Okay, let’s say that’s it. The mother died. Maybe she kept a diary or something. Daughter finds out about Ned. Hunts him down. Makes contact. Maybe she expected him to welcome her with open arms. Only he denies being her father. She gets pissed when he doesn’t acknowledge her. Ned was fairly well off.
Prominent lawyer in the area. She feels he owes her something.
Decides to take what should have been hers. Kills Ned. Waits for Ms. Emma to die, only now the land goes to Emma’s relatives.
That had to be a surprise. Not many people knew Emma had family since they never visited. Tries to get Meka to sell, only she doesn’t. How am I doing so far?” Bull asked.
“Makes sense,” Chad admitted.
“Too much. The question is, what’s she gonna do now?” Leo asked.
They were all quiet.
“I’ll call Alex and have him send someone to the hospital.
From now on, you and Meka will be guarded twenty-four/seven until we can catch this woman,” Rome informed Chad.
“I don’t need a guard. I can protect myself,” Chad protested.
“What about the sister? She should be covered, too. This woman may see her as another contender for the land,” Bull stated at the same time.
“This isn’t about you. Think of your mate,” Rome told Chad. “Bull, since the sister is familiar with you, you’re on guard detail while she’s here. Anything else?” he asked the three of them.
They shook their heads.
“Dismissed.”
As Rome watched them file out, he had the nagging sense that he was missing something. He went back to his office to pore over the reports one more time. Whatever it was, he wouldn’t stop hunting until he’d found it.
Tameka showered and dressed in a set of scrubs Alex had one of the clinic staff provide. NeeCee should be arriving any moment with a change of clothes. While she waited, she decided now was as good a time as any to explore the many floral and plant arrangements delivered during her stay. As she read the cards attached, she noticed most of them seemed to be from the same florist.
Judging solely by the many “wishing you well” and “get well soon” cards attached, the people of Refuge were a very caring group. Several had handwritten notes welcoming her to the area and hopes of meeting her soon under better circumstances. She drifted over to the two that came in this morning.
The first card made her smile. The second one caused her to drop into “Chad’s chair” with a thump.
The old lady. Her husband. Your animal lover. Who else will you lose? Your sister?
Give me what I want!
As Tameka clutched the card and envelope in her hand, she pondered what action to take. To borrow an old saying, she didn’t have a dog in this fight. What this woman wanted wasn’t hers to give. If it was, she’d hand it over. Right or wrong, she wasn’t prepared for people to lose their life over what amounted to
a
piece
of
dirt.
The
problem
was
that
this
person…woman…whomever didn’t know that and Tameka couldn’t tell her.
Her first instinct was to call Chad and make sure he was safe. Instead, she made herself sit there and think. If something happened to Chad, she’d know. The man was so deep in her heart, he was like an extension of her soul. If she concentrated really hard, she could actually feel him. Wherever he was, he was angry, but not hurt and definitely not dead.
Besides, he’d called earlier to check on her and alluded to something happening that would delay his return. While she was concerned, he was alive and that’s all that mattered. But he might not be as lucky the next time. Being a werewolf gave him supernatural abilities, but it didn’t make him immortal. She wasn’t prepared to lose the man she loved over a stupid piece of property.
Her thoughts skidded to a halt and her heart stuttered as she mentally repeated the thought. The man she loved. She loved Chad. Her, not whatever it was that was growing inside of her.
She, Tameka Renae Jones, loved Chadleigh Wilson in the ‘til death do us part kind of way. She began to hyperventilate.
Breathe, Meka. It’s alright. He’s a good man. Nothing like your father or the sorry excuse for men you’ve dealt with in your practice.
“Momma E?” Tameka clung to the familiar voice, using it to stabilize herself in a world gone topsy-turvy. It didn’t even matter that this shouldn’t be happening. Momma E, who was dead and buried, shouldn’t be able to communicate with her from beyond the grave.
Meka, have I ever led you wrong?
“No, ma’am.”
You’ve always been able to count on me, haven’t you?
“Yes, ma’am. You were my rock, the one person I could always depend on.” And now you’re gone, she thought sadly.
Then trust me now when I say that Chad is a good man.
Don’t be afraid to let your guard down with him. I’m not saying he won’t ever hurt you. Hurtin’ comes with loving. The deeper the love, the greater the capacity for misunderstandings and hurts to arise. I’m saying that this man will always be true to you, will love you the way you’re meant to be loved and the joy he’ll bring will be worth every second of pain that comes with it.