Out of the Shadows (10 page)

“Should be, but I thought you should know what you were
getting into. Also-” he paused smirking “-we aren’t clothed when we shift. There’s
a really good chance some of these guys could be naked.”

“Oh.” Her face flushed red, while her eyes trailed to his
bare chest. “I see, um, that’s fine. It’s nothing I haven’t seen before.” Her
face turned a darker shade of red and her mouth popped open. “I didn’t mean
that the way it came out. It won’t bother me, is what I meant.”

Devon laughed at her rambling response. Lark was something
else — different than any woman he’d ever met.

“Are you laughing at me?” Lark’s outraged eyes met his.

“No, of course not. You just seem a little tongue tied is
all,” he smirked.

“Don’t mind him, Lark, he’s an ass sometimes,” Gene said as
he was helped into the room by two other men who seemed to be supporting the
majority of his weight.

“Oh god, are you okay?” Lark asked moving out of the way so
Gene could get helped on the table.

Devon assessed Gene, there was a lot of blood. His green
shirt had long slash marks through it and had dark stains on it from where
blood had soaked into it.

“I’ll live, in a few days I’ll be as good as new.”

Devon handed Lark a pair of scissors. “Cut his shirt off.”

Lark took the scissors and walked toward Gene carefully
lifting the fabric away from him. “What happened?”

“I was on watch. They had men on foot and on paws. They came
from all directions. Never got a chance to shift. They just kept coming.”

“It doesn’t look so bad,” Devon said leaning over Gene to
look at the long claw marks that marred his torso. Thankfully they weren’t
deep, that was the only thing that had spared his life. “We’ll get you stitched
up, and you can shift after twelve hours.”

“I’m sure that will be pleasant.”

“Yeah, it hurts like hell,” Devon remarked.

“You would know,” Gene laughed, then winced in pain.

“Why don’t you save the jokes for later. I would advise
against laughing for a few days also,” Devon teased, while he looked over the
lacerations.

“Wow, you told a joke.” Lark looked up at him with a small
smile. Her smile faltered though as her eyes lowered to his bare chest. She
frowned as her eyes slid between his scars and Gene’s injuries.

“Every once in a while my sense of
humor shines through.” The last thing Devon wanted was her asking personal
questions about him.

Lark glanced up at him. “It’s kind of nice.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Gene closed his eyes. “Don’t mind me I’m just along for the
ride.”

Devon cleared his throat. “Let me know if you need me to
stop, Gene. I’m going to get started.”

“Just get it done, Dev, the faster the better. But please,
you two continue your banter. It gives me something to listen to and take my
mind off the pain.”

“Can you keep pressure on the other lacerations while I
stitch up this first one?” Devon asked handing a gauze pad to Lark.

“Yes.” Lark took the pads and placed them to Gene’s abdomen.

The room fell silent as Devon set to work. The buzz of the
overhead light hummed above them.

“You guys aren’t talking,” Gene
mumbled. He flinched as Devon carefully started to pull the skin back together.

“So is it over now, I mean, will they come back?” Lark
asked.

Devon looked up from where he was stitching to Lark. “No.
That was the first wave, he’ll be back and with bigger numbers.”

“Oh.”

“It will be fine though, we’re prepared, and we know who the
leak was. We have six new wolves who alerted us to the attack this morning,”
Devon replied, returning to his work.

“There was a spy here?” Lark asked surprised.

Devon nodded, resuming his work on Gene. “Garrett Miller. He
is cousins of the man you stabbed last night.”

“The same guy who was giving Sarah and Preston a hard time,”
Lark said quietly after a long minute.

“What do you mean?” Gene asked, his eyes squeezed tightly
shut.

“Sarah told me some guy was saying things to her and Preston
the other night. It makes sense now.”

“Well, both Garrett and Michael are
in custody. Michael is the guy who attacked you,” Devon assured her. “They
won’t be hurting anyone else.”

“By custody, you mean…”

Devon finished the first row of
stitches, and got ready to start on the next cut. “They’re being held in a
cellar in one of the other houses.”

“Won’t your dad come for them?”

“No, his only concern is Emily. He
could care less about them. Everyone else is collateral damage.”

“Well, that makes me feel great.”

“It’s not personal, that’s just how
he operates. People and wolves are possessions, nothing more. Don’t worry Lark.
Should there be another attack there are plenty of knives in the kitchen.”
Devon winced, realizing how that came out. “I meant that as a compliment. Taking
down an adult male werewolf is not an easy feat.”

“Um, thanks. Gene taught me a thing
or two about self defense.”

“That’s good, but maybe you should
learn more, especially with everything going on.”

“Are you volunteering?”

Devon stopped what he was doing as
he contemplated his answer. It appeared that despite everything he did to stay
away, somehow he always got sucked in.

“I can, if you’d like me too.”

“Okay.”

“I won’t go easy on you.”

“I didn’t expect that you would,”
Lark commented. “When do you want to start?”

Devon smiled, locking eyes with her.
“Tomorrow too soon?”

“I’m going to laugh when she kicks your ass, Dev. Lark’s a
little spitfire,” Gene smiled.

Devon didn’t doubt it, he’d seen what she could do last
night. She just needed a little extra oomph to make sure no one got the best of
her again.

It had been a long day. Exhausted,
Lark splashed dish water onto the counter as she placed a cup into the sink. After
helping with stitches and setting broken bones all morning, she had helped
Emily get ready for the ceremony.

The ceremony had been beautiful and romantic. Emily had worn
a beaded strapless gown with a veil. The vowels had been exchanged in Latin. Lark
had no idea what they had said, but it still sounded beautiful. Instead of
lighting a unity candle, they had pricked their fingers creating a blood union.
Thankfully they hadn’t had to drink it, Lark shuddered, disgusted by the
thought. It was nice to see two people so in love. Maybe one day it would be
her.

“You don’t sit down, do you?” Devon said, leaning against
the door frame of the kitchen watching her. “I’m pretty sure someone was
assigned that duty.” He motioned toward the dirty dishes.

“They were just sitting here and I wasn’t doing anything
anyway.” Lark sat the cup on the drying rack and turned toward him. “I like to
keep busy, especially when I’m thinking. I was contemplating what to do
tomorrow. You know if I should open or stay closed a few days, until everything
blows over?”

As much as she wanted to go back, there was a gnawing fear
in her. She’d been attacked in her bakery. Anguish filled her, hands curling
into fists in the warm dishwater. The bakery was like a second home. She
couldn’t help but wonder if she would ever feel safe there again.

“I think there was some damage to some of your tables and a
glass case. I don’t know if that would affect your decision or not.”

“Oh.”

Tears threatened to fall, her throat constricted painfully,
a lump formed and she tried desperately to swallow it down. She’d worked so
hard for that bakery. The thought of it being damaged knotted her stomach.

“Rick’s already set things up to get replaced.”

Lark smiled at the sentiment, and bit her lip. She didn’t
want to cry in front of him. “He has? He didn’t have too.”

“A crew cleaned the place up. You could open, if you
wanted.”

Lark shivered and reached for the dishtowel. After drying
her hands, she wrapped her arms around herself. “I was attacked there. I don’t
know if I’m ready yet, you know?”

Devon’s hazel eyes watched her. “Take a few days then.”

“If I take a few days, it would be admitting I’m scared. I’ve
worked too hard to just run away.”

“Do you want a drink?” Devon shoved off the doorframe,
walking to the fridge.

“A water, please.”

Devon handed her a bottled water, and leaned against the
counter twisting the tab off his beer. “Go back in the morning. That is what I
would do.”

Lark stared at him contemplating her actions. “I haven’t
been home since Friday morning. I can’t keep borrowing clothes from Emily.”

“I’m sure Rick would send someone over.”

And give Rick’s men the chance to rifle through my
underwear drawer?
Lark felt heat creep across her face at the thought. “No,
I would want to go.”

“Devon can run you over.” Rick entered the kitchen, opening
the fridge and grabbing his own beer. “I’d really prefer for you and Sarah to
stay here at the ranch until this blows over. I’m not sure why Emmett sent his
men after you, Lark, and I don’t know if he will do it again either. For the
time being I think you should stay here.”

Lark nodded letting his words sink in. “Is it safe to go
now?”

“It is very unlikely they will attack again so soon without
more reinforcements. Now may be the best time to go.” Rick walked toward her
and put a hand on her shoulder. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want,
Lark to. I just don’t want anything to happen to you.”

“What about the bakery?” It might be silly for her to worry
about that at a time like this, but Lark couldn’t help it.

“You can choose a few guys to take with you during the day,
just in case. I see no reason why The Cookie Jar would need to be closed. Emmett
would never attack a public place in broad daylight. Exposing ourselves to the
general population is a crime,” Rick explained.

“Thank you, for all your help, Rick.”

“No problem, sweetheart.” Rick pulled her into a hug,
kissing the top of her head. “You know, I think of the two of you like my own
children.”

***

Devon pulled into Lark’s driveway. The ride had been quiet. She’d
spent the duration of the trip looking out her window.

“It will only take me a few minutes to grab our things. I
really wish Sarah wouldn’t have been…” she paused with a sigh. “…busy.”

Devon chuckled at her description. He got out of the car
with her and followed Lark up to the front door. The house was tan with brown
shutters. Not too big or small. The kind of place he would have liked to live.

“Take your time.”

She gave him a small smile as she unlocked the door. “Thanks.”

Devon took in the home. Picture frames hung on the walls
immediately catching his attention. It didn’t take much to see the Davies were
a close knit family. The whole entry way was covered in a collage of pictures
some recent, others much older. He wondered what it was like to have that kind
of family dynamic.

“You can have a seat wherever. I’ll be back down in a few.” Lark
motioned to the living room.

Devon nodded, his eyes taking in the large black wrap around
leather sofa. Lark turned and headed toward the stairs.

A creak on the floor boards above
put him on alert. He spun, grabbing Lark, pulling her back from the stairs. A
finger on his lips, he crept up the steps. Adrenaline pumped through his body. An
overwhelming need to protect Lark coursed through him.

The stairs squeaked behind him and
he turned. Lark had followed after him. He glared at her, motioning for her to
turn around. She frowned and made no indication that she was going to budge.
What
is she doing?

Devon exhaled through his nose and
shook his head. She was too damn stubborn for her own good. Fists clenched
tightly at his sides, he continued up the stairs. His heart beat rapidly and he
could smell the fear radiating from Lark, yet she followed anyway.

Feet shuffled across the floor to
the right of the stairs. Devon growled, flying up the remaining steps. He
grabbed the man as he came out of a bedroom shoving him into the wall. Forearm
pressed against the man’s throat, his other arm held him firmly in place, he
glared at the human. “What are you doing here?”

“Oh my god, Grant. What the hell
are you doing?” Lark exclaimed coming up behind him.

Devon looked at Lark. “You know
him?”

Lark exhaled and ran a hand through
her long blonde hair. “Let him go.”

Devon eyed the other man for a
moment before easing off of him. Grant coughed, hands flying to his throat, a
glare fixated on him.

“What are you doing? You can’t just
come waltzing in here.” Lark demanded with her arms crossed over her chest, as
she stepped around Devon.

“Me? What happened to you, Lark? Jesus,
look at your head.” Grant rushed toward her his hands cupping her face.

Lark jerked back away from Grant.
Her back bumped against the opposite wall. “It’s nothing.”

“Nothing, you have stitches and a
busted lip, Lark.”

“What are you doing here?” She
demanded, arms flailing out her face flushed from anger.

Devon watched the exchange unsure
if he should step in or not. His vision no longer clouded with red recognition
dawned on him. This was the man from the bakery. The raw sting of jealousy
swept over him watching the two of them. It was obvious there was some history
between them.

“I was worried. We were supposed to
go out last night, and you never showed up. I saw your car parked behind the
bakery, you haven’t been home. I’ve called you at least a dozen times and you
haven’t returned any of my calls.”

“Why didn’t you say something when
you heard us come in? How did you get in anyway?” Devon asked looking Grant
over.
Was this the type of guy Lark went for?
He wondered.

“I used the hide-a-key to get in. I
heard you come in and realized you weren’t alone. I was going to sneak out. Now
I’m glad I didn’t. I was contemplating calling the police, Lark.” Grant’s eyes
flicked between Devon and Lark. “What happened to you, did he do that?” Grant
indicated Devon.

Devon’s blood boiled, teeth
grinding together as his vision tunneled. He’d never hurt a woman before, and
never would. His mouth opened to protest when Lark intervened.

“What? No, no of course not.” Lark
sagged against the wall with a sigh. “I was robbed, okay. I’ve been staying
with Rick at the ranch. Devon came with me to get a few things. Sarah and I are
going to stay there for a little bit.”

Grant stared at Devon eyeing him
before turning back to Lark. “Are you okay? Did you talk to the police?”

Devon clamped his mouth shut,
fighting the urge to say something. Lark was diffusing the situation much
better than he ever would. His way could entail the use of his fist at the rate
Grant was going.

“I’m fine, everything is taken care
of. I’m just a little shaken.”

“Well, if you’re sure you’re okay.”
Grant looked hesitantly at Devon. “You know you can call if you need anything. There
is always room at my house.”

“I’ll let you know. Thank you,
Grant.”

“I’ll see you around.” Grant looked
Devon over once more before starting down the stairs.

“She’ll take that key back though.”
Devon held his hand out eyes narrowed at Grant.

Grant muttered something under his
breath as he dug in his pocket and turned around with a huff. He took the key
out and slammed it onto Devon’s hand. “Be careful, Lark.”

“Bye Grant.”

Devon watched Grant descend the
staircase and walk out the door. He twirled the key in his hand before turning
to Lark.

“You know, hide-a-keys really
aren’t a great idea.” Devon held the key out to Lark.

She sighed and took the key shoving
it into her purse.

“Spare me the lecture.” With a roll
of her eyes, Lark turned and stalked into a bedroom.

Devon followed after her leaning in
the doorway. His blood still boiled from the confrontation with Grant.

“He seemed nice,” he said trying
not to choke on his words.

Lark shot him an annoyed look as
she pulled a suitcase from the closet and placed it on the bed. “His intentions
are good.”

“Of course, I always break into
people’s houses when I’m worried about them.”

Lark stopped, hand on her dresser. “I’ve
known Grant for a long time, we grew up together. He was worried.”

“He seems like a real catch. I can
see why Gene likes him.” Devon couldn’t hold back his sarcasm. Letting out an
annoyed breath, he realized he was acting jealous. The fact was, he was envious
of Grant.

“Grant’s a nice guy. He might be a
little worrisome because his mother is a nut, but his heart is in the right
place. And Gene’s reason for not liking Grant is trivial.”

“I can only imagine.”

“Do you realize how hot and cold
you are? I’ve tried to reach out to you, be friendly, and you keep shutting me
down.”

Devon shrugged watching as she
angrily stuffed clothes into the suitcase. “That’s just how I am.” Was Lark
really trying to reach out to him? He thought back to their interactions. Half
the time she seemed more irritated than friendly, but that could be his own
doing.

Lark stopped and stared him
straight in the eye. “Or that’s just what you want people to see.”

Devon searched her eyes, but found
no malice. “Do yourself a favor and don’t worry about figuring me out.”

“Maybe I don’t want to.” Lark held
his gaze, her blue eyes searching his. The moment stretched on and he swallowed
the lump forming in his throat. What was she thinking? He questioned. With a
sigh, Lark turned away, returning to the suitcase and clothes.

Devon played her words over and
over in his head. No one had ever spoken to him the way she did. Had she just
challenged him?

“Were you serious about teaching me
self defense?”

Her question startled him and he
had to think for a moment. “If you’d like me to, I suppose Gene is going to be
out of commission for a few days.”

“I know it’s a burden for Rick to
send guys to look after me. And I know you have no idea when this is going to
blow over. I don’t want to be a nuisance.”

“I don’t think Rick sees it that
way.”

“You do.”

He realized it was a statement not
a question. Guilt flooded him, he hadn’t meant to make her feel that way. “You
know nothing about me.”

Lark quirked an eyebrow at him as
she zipped the suitcase shut. “I just have to grab Sarah some things.”

***

Lark didn’t know what to grab for
her sister. Sarah was picky in what she wore and when. She thought a nice
mixture would go over best. With a sigh she opened the closet, packing several
dresses before going to the dresser.