Bid a bye

Rose fought back hot tears. Her arms hugged her chest and the police officer who stood next to her cleared his throat, demanding her attention. She turned her head to stare at him.

"Who would do this, Miss Gabrielle? Do you have an angry ex-boyfriend? Maybe your new boyfriend has an ex-girlfriend who didn't want to let him go?"

"No." She winced over the destroyed couch and the way the guts of it had been spread across the room as if it had snowed cotton filling. "I don't date."

The cop gave her a disbelieving glance.

"Look, lying isn't an option here. Someone has a lot of rages directed toward you. They tore up all your furniture, broke your tables, and shredded most of your clothes.

Whoever did this is dangerous. You need to give us a name. Who is the guy?"

"There's no guy in my life." She faced him, hugging her waist tighter. "My last boyfriend moved to Oklahoma three years ago."

She didn't mention how horrible that relationship had ended or how he'd

accused her of being insane. Dating hadn't ever worked out for her in long-term relationships. "Last I heard, he got married and had a child. The guy before him had to be five or six years ago. He joined the

Navy and I have no idea where he is now. We both decided it would be best to break up."

"You date women?"

"No," she huffed. "Is it so hard to believe I don't date?"

The cop gave her a once-over again, his gaze travelling up and down her body.

"Yes, it is. You're an attractive woman."

"I have sex toys, a body pillow to cuddle with, and a heating blanket to keep me warm at night.

They don't borrow money they never pay back, don't think I'm weird for any of my habits that they don't agree with, or argue with me."

The officer's mouth dropped open and Rose blushed, realizing what she'd just sputtered.

That was another reason she didn't date anymore. She had spent so much time alone as a child that she'd never learned to hold her tongue when she grew angry or upset. She just spoke her mind. Words

left her mouth before she could halt them. 

"You asked. I answered." She looked away from him. "I don't know who would do this. I'd tell you if I even had a guess. I can't afford to replace any of this and I don't have renter's insurance."

"Move," a male voice demanded loudly.

In seconds a big body filled the doorway and Rose gaped at the man she never thought she'd see again. Klaus wore a black leather jacket that hung open a few inches to reveal a heavy-metal T-shirt. His hair had been pulled back in a ponytail. A pair of furious dark eyes locked on her.

"What happened here? I pulled up and saw the cop car." He glanced away from her and quickly scanned the room. "Damn." He sniffed and then sneezed. He jerked his gaze back to hers. "Are you

hurt?"

The cop sauntered toward Anton. "Who are you?"

Klaus didn't budge except to put his hands on his hips. "I'm a friend of hers. Rose?

Answer me now. Were you here when this happened? Did anyone hurt you?"

"No. I got a call from a neighbour who'd already called the police after they heard someone breaking things inside my apartment. I came home to find it this way."

"Who are you?" The officer grabbed Klaus's arm.

Rose tensed, wondering what she should do if anything. She feared the werewolf would attack the cop.

Klaus glared at the hand on his arm and then slowly reached into his back pocket, withdrew his wallet, and flipped it open to show his license. "I'm Klaus. I am a friend of the family. I stopped by to drop off Rose's purse. She left it inside my truck the other night when I drove her home. She can't hold her liquor worth shit and I was the designated driver."

The cop released him, turned, and glowered at Rose. "Is this your boyfriend?"

"No. You heard him. He's a friend of my family. I've known him for years," she lied.

She kept eye contact with the cop, hoping he'd believe her.

"Fine." The cop sighed. "I think I'm done here." He wrote something on a card and handed it to Rose. "Here's the number for the case and my business card. Contact me if you discover anything has been stolen." He left quickly.

Rose stared at Klaus, watching him frown as he took inventory of every inch of the

destroyed room. He finally faced her, still looking grim.

"A shifter did this."

Surprise jolted through her. "How do you know that?" 

"Smell the bleach? It's to mask their scent."

"I just figured they spilt it from the bottle in the kitchen."

"You were wrong. Have you contacted your father's people?"

"No."

"Then mine did this." He walked through the living room and disappeared into her bedroom.

Rose hesitated and then followed him, stepping over her broken coffee table. Her room had

been tossed, her clothes strewn around, her bed had been shredded and the dresser drawers were

pulled out. Rose stood in the middle of her small sleeping space. He turned to meet her gaze.

"Why would a shifter do this?"

Broad, leather-clad shoulders shrugged. "A few of them may be resentful after the beat-down

they've received for attacking you. They had your purse and access to your address. I guess they didn't

believe me when I warned them that you were under my protection."

She forced her stunned gaze from his angry one, bent down, and flinched over discovering her

favourite jacket sliced up. At first, she thought someone had used a knife to do the damage but upon

closer inspection, she guessed it could have been done with sharp claws, judging by the spacing of the

tears.

"I'm sorry."

She lifted her chin, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. "I'd planned on moving but I need to wait for my

next paycheck. I don't exactly make enough money to keep a savings account so I don't have anything

on hand for an emergency."

"I'll pay for this."

He shocked her again. "Why?"

"My pups, my responsibility, and trust me, they are going to pay me back every dime." He sighed, glancing around her room. "You can't stay here."

"I get paid Monday. I'm sure they won't come back. They ruined everything so it's not as if

there's anything left to damage."

Klaus had promised to protect her and he'd failed. He could pick up faint scents inside the

bedroom where the bleach fumes were faint. The smell of males lingered on the clothes he'd sniffed. He

could identify three of his pack who had been in Shannon's apartment. If she'd been there when they had attacked … He bit back a growl, furious over even considering what they could have done to her.

The odour of males who were not members of his pack worried him most. He caught the scent of

at least two inside her room. Some of his pack had started hanging out with unknown

werewolves, came after a female behind his back, and disobeyed his orders. It would be unforgivable if

he left and something happened to her.

"Let's go."

Her eyes widened and her pouty lips parted. "Go where?"

"My place," he instantly responded, not sure where else to have her stay. "I'm going to find the ones who did this and make sure they leave you alone before I allow you out of my sight." Inwardly he

cursed, knowing it would lead to trouble. He currently resided in an apartment over a barn inhabited by

his pack. "You can have the bed, I'll take the couch, and it won't take more than a day or two before

you'll be safe on your own again." He hoped.

Rose took a step back, tripped on a torn-up pillow from her bed, and he lunged, grabbing

her arm to keep her from falling on her ass. She hissed at him, a reminder that she wasn't completely

human or any part wolf. He growled back instinctively and his hold tightened on her when he saw fear

flash across her delicate features.

"Calm," he ordered her, wincing at the tone of his voice but unable to stop it. "Easy, kitten. I'm

not going to hurt you and there's nothing to climb in here. Don't try to run from me."

Anger replaced fear as she glared up at him. "Stop calling me that. You startled me. I'm not

going to flee."

"Good. I'm the only thing standing between you and a bunch of wolves who have decided to

play a game of fetch with you. They mean business."

"Let's go."

"My clothes―"

"Are all destroyed." He stopped at the door. "Stop wasting time. The faster I get you where I

know I can leave you safely alone, the quicker I can go handle this mess by tracking them down. I've got

clothing you can borrow until we're able to buy you new stuff."

Shannon hesitated but then moved, stepping over the destroyed pillow in her path. She tried

not to flinch as she took in the damage to her living room again. His pups were methodical to their

destruction, not leaving anything untouched.

The apartment manager stood talking to the neighbours as they left. She opened her mouth to

speak to the man but she never got the chance.

"I'm Klaus, a family friend of Rose's." He directed an intimidating scowl at the

manager. "I'm taking her to a safe location until they catch these punks. I expect you to have that door

fixed immediately and guard her property until it is. I'm holding you personally responsible if anything

else happens."

Her mouth dropped open and she intended to apologize but Klaus chose that moment to reach

back, grab hold of her limp hand, and gently lead her away from everyone. He walked her to the curb

where a big black motorcycle was parked, released her, and climbed on the beast of a bike. He straddled

the machine and arched an eyebrow at her.

"I know you can hold on tight." He leaned over a little, his hand reaching for something on the

another side of the bike, and then held out a helmet.

"Close your mouth and climb on behind me."

Rose considered refusing to leave with him. She could make a scene and he wouldn't dare

force her onto his bike with so many witnesses around. He'd flashed his license at the cop, giving away his identity. She stared into his eyes while he held out the helmet and made a decision. He hadn't hurt

her so far and someone had it out for her, as her poor apartment, full of damaged

possessions, could attest.

"Okay, but I'm holding you to your word."

"Good." He gave her a tight smile that didn't reach his eyes. "I'm the only chance you have of

staying safe. You've got nothing to fear from me."

She didn't totally believe that but accepted the protective headgear and carefully put it on. It

startled her as Klaus reached up to secure the strap under her chin. Their gazes met and held until he

finished.

"Ever ridden a motorcycle before?"

"No."

Amusement flashed on his handsome, rugged features. "You'll enjoy it a hell of a lot. Just wrap

around me, don't let go, and trust me."

Rose hesitated. "The only person I could ever trust has been my mother."

He looked away, his gaze flickering anywhere but at her. "Sorry to hear it. Get on, kitten."

Irritation flashed at his nickname for her. She had asked him to stop but he refused. She stepped

off the curb and lifted a leg, awkwardly climbing onto the wide, long seat, grateful her loose skirt was

easy to tuck firmly around her legs. It felt surprisingly comfortable to straddle the bike.

Klaus turned his

head to peer at her over his shoulder while he lifted a second helmet.

"Stop calling me that."

"I told you why I do it."

"What the hell does that mean?"

He hesitated, tightening the strap under his chin, but never looking away from her while he did

it. "I'm attracted to you and I think you're cute. It would be flat-out stupid if I didn't remind myself of

that every time I feel my body respond to yours, considering that, by blood, we're sworn, enemies."

His brutal honestly left her speechless. He winked and turned away. The motorcycle started, the

loud engine stopped whatever conversation they could have had. She reached forward, hesitated, and

then wrapped her arms around his waist. She had to press her body firmly against his broad back to lock

her fingers together. She squeezed her eyes tightly closed and clung when he pulled away from the curb.