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Authors: Susan Bliler

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BOOK: Skin Walkers: Monroe
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Monroe’s eyes narrowed at the
lie.  He knew she had no children.
 


This whole bullshit wildlife preserve front isn’t fooling me for a second.  I don’t know what you’re doing up here, and frankly I don’t give a damn so long as it doesn’t interfere with my wildlife, my mountain, or my kids.”

When she’d initially bumped his chest, Monroe’s
brows hiked nearly to his hairline.  The reaction was so ludicrous that Eden wondered for a moment if anyone had ever dared to stand up to the CEO before.  She got her answer when there was one knock at the door and the Chief of Security, King Mulholland, stepped in.  “Crow, I…”

Eden didn’t tear her eyes from Monroe. 
The two stood chest to chest.  Eden sneering up at him while he had a look of shock on his face that was wiped away with an unsteady frown as if he wasn’t sure that was the expression he should be wearing.


Ms. StCloud, you shouldn’t challenge him,” King began.

Monroe drew in a deep breath and took a step back.  “
It’s fine, King.”

“I’m not challenging him,” she turned to frown at King.  “I’m just explaining myself in terms that h
e can’t misunderstand.  And you’d do well to not misunderstand me either.”  Crossing her arms over her chest she pinned King where he stood with angry brown eyes.  “Cleary we don’t like each other gentlemen, but this mountain can be big enough for all of us.  So long as you play by my rules,” her lips turned up in a self-satisfied smile, “we’ll be just fine.”

Neither man spoke.  Stunned, King looked from Eden to Monroe then back.  His mouth opened and closed several times giving him the appearance of a fish out of
water.  Finally a lone word passed his lips on an unsteady query.  “Crow?”

Glancing at the Monroe, Eden wasn’t happy to see that his smile had returned. 

“Leave us.”

Without a word King spun on his heel and exited the office.

“I’m afraid you’ve misunderstood me Eden.”

“Of for crying out loud!
  If you’re going to forego the use of my title than call me Edie.  I hate it when people call me Eden.”

“As I was saying,
Eden
, you have misunderstood me.  Whatever could have given you the impression that I don’t like you I’m not quite certain, but apparently we need to clear some things up before you leave here.  First,”  he was mocking her with mimicry, “I wouldn’t use your appreciation of wildlife against you.  I was simply stating a fact.  Second, what you see here is what you get.  Third, I too have young, impressionable children housed on the estate. 
My
estate.  You can keep your mountain, Eden.  I just want to be left on my land in peace.  I don’t need your acceptance, and I sure as hell don’t require your approval, but I demand you respect what it is I’m trying to accomplish here.”

When she thought he was finished she opened her mouth to speak
but he continued.

“And finally, you may not like me Eden.”  He took several steps until he was just feet in front of her, “but I like you
.  I like you very much.”

The words knocked her off guard.
 


As a matter of fact, I was hoping you could stay.  We could have dinner.”

She had to fight to keep from rolling her eyes.  If he actually thought that he could seduce her into acquiescence, he had another think coming. 
“I have to get home to my children.”

Monroe
frowned, instantly offended that she’d lie to him twice in one visit.  There existed an invisible heartstring that connected parents to their children and that connection had a scent that Walkers could detect.  Monroe didn’t need to inhale deeply, but his nostrils flared as he scented her again, his eyes transitioning to a matte black as he partially shifted.  Eden had no offspring.  “Lying to deflect me Ms. StCloud?”  He saw that she was offended by his words, but her dismay was quickly disguised.

“No, Mr.
StoneCrow.  I don’t need to lie to deflect anything or anyone.  I do have children…s
everal. 
If you’ll excuse me I best be getting home to them.”

When Eden made to pass
, Monroe couldn’t keep his hand from collaring her wrist.  She gasped as she was prevented from exiting.  Leaning down, the CEO brushed his nose against her shirt and there it was.  Her scent had been so overpowering to his senses that it had masked all others, but pressing closer he found imbedded in her clothing the fresh, soft scent of young life.  It was unmistakable.  There were children in her life, but they were not hers. 

Is he smelling
me?

“Their father?
”  He hadn’t meant to sound so viscous but the thought of her with another man caused violence to surge forth.  It was stupid.  He already knew they weren’t her children from another man and the lack of logic behind the emotion baffled him.  It was highly out of character.

“I don’t know,” she offered.

Monroe liked that she hadn’t tried to wrench her wrist free.  His thumb stroked along her skin and he smiled when he felt her pulse kick up.

“I adopted them.  I know nothing of their real families.”

“Families?  How many children do you have?”

“Four. 
Three boys and a girl.”

She smiled then
and the joy he read in her eyes at discussing her children made his chest ache.  He wanted that same joy.

“Tell me about them.”

Drawing in an unsteady breath, Eden debated on disclosing any information.  She was silent a moment as she contemplated and finally deciding that there was no harm in it she began, “Well there’s Micah.  He’s sixteen and very much a teenager.”  Her smiled broadened, “His hair is purple right now.  I’m holding out hope that he’ll out grow the phase.  Then there are Cole and Ransum.  They’re both six.”

“Twins?”

“No,” her smile faltered, “they aren’t blood related, but they make my life worthwhile.  And then there’s Peyton.  She’s the baby at four.” 

Eden shook her head and laughed, the sound sent desire coursing through Monroe.  What he’d give to be the source of
her delight.


I never thought in all my life that I’d be wrapped so tightly around one little girl’s finger,” she shrugged negligently, “but I am.”

“And you don’t mind?”

“Not at all.  I love them.”

“Where are their parents?”

He kicked himself for bringing up the topic when her smile quickly vanished to be replaced by sheer anger.  “Don’t know.  The kids were abandoned in these mountains two years ago.  If I hadn’t found them…”  She didn’t finish as tears flooded her eyes.

Seeing her
reaction, Monroe felt like an ass.  “Well,” he supplied clearing his throat and releasing her wrist.  He had to step away from her to stand behind his desk.  He needed a barrier between them because if he stayed near her a second longer he was going to wrap her in his arms and never let go.  “They have you now and that’s all that matters.”

Surprised that she felt so cold by his sudden absence, Eden ran her hands up and down her arms.  She eyed the door knowing she needed to leave but not
really wanting to.  It was nice to talk to someone, an adult for a change, and it didn’t help that he was such a good listener and attractive as hell.  “I better be going.  Have a good night Mr. StoneCrow.” 

She turned and reached for the door when Monroe
was suddenly beside her.  For inexplicable reasons, he couldn’t seem to stay away from her. “I’ll walk you out.”

She simply nodded and allowed him to escort her to the elevator.  She didn’t say anything when he placed his hand on her lower back and kept it there.

The ride down to the main floor was silent and the space felt too small…Eden felt too small.  Somehow, this woman who’d outshined all the men and received a special commendation at the Law Enforcement Academy always felt so slight and feminine in Monroe’s presence. It was disconcerting.

When the door chimed open, Monroe escorted her out. 
They stood just inside the lobby doors and watched as King pulled up in a car to take Eden back to the main gate where her truck had been left at the Chief of Security’s insistence.  Monroe was reluctant to let her go.

“You should bring the children up sometime.”

Surprised at the offer, Eden stalled before reaching the door.  “I…They…”

“They’d like it here.  They could
tour the stalls, feed some of the animals.  We could have lunch together,” he smiled at the idea.  “I’d really like to meet them.”


I’ll see if they’re interested,” her tone was clipped. 

He
hated the way that she had suddenly shifted from relaxed and easy going to all business.

Ignoring Monroe’s sudden scowl, Eden shook her head and eyed the lobby of
StoneCrow manor.  “Well, I haven’t found anything out-of-order with regard to your paperwork or your operations, but the amount of staff and expense makes little sense to me.”  She snorted, “I mean a pool, bar, school, cafeteria, helicopter pad,
and
fine dining establishment?”  Her lips pursed in disbelief as she shook her head.  “Not an ounce of sense.”

“I assure you Eden, we are up to code.”

“Yes, I see that you are.  But tell me Mr. StoneCrow, you can’t possibly earn enough from this enterprise to even cover your overhead?”

He smiled, “I have other
investment
s.
  This facility and the work we do here is because it’s something I enjoy, not to make money.”

She
regarded him out of the corner of her eye and he smiled at her total failure to disguise her disbelief.  “Tell me Eden, why are you a Warden with the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks?  Surely, you can’t make much.  Wouldn’t
you
do better in another profession?”

Her cheeks flamed. 
“Touché’.”  She turned and Monroe opened the door for her.  “Good day, Mr. StoneCrow.”

“Good day Eden.
  I look forward to seeing you again.”  And surprisingly, he did.

As he watched her walk out and became incensed when King placed a hand on her lower back to assist her with getting in the
Humvee, Monroe knew two certainties.  One, he was well and truly fucked, and two, he had to stay as far away from Eden StCloud as he could.

Chapter
7

Eden hadn’t been able to keep from thinking about Monroe since she’d visited his estate two weeks earlier.  She’d been tempted to take the kids up for a visit
but in the end she decided it was best for everyone involved if she kept her distance from the infuriating and sexy as hell CEO. 

Dragging her focus back to
the work at hand, she pounded on the wooden door of Hunter’s cabin as the blistering wind sent flakes stinging against her cheeks.  She pulled her hood tighter and pounded again as she waited impatiently.  When the door finally opened, she was shocked and deflated to find Monroe StoneCrow standing in his socked feet, holding a mug of steaming something and staring back at her with what she could only describe as a look of horror on his face.

“Mr.
StoneCrow.” Eden offered coolly by way of greeting as she stood shivering in the doorway, her eyes glancing over his shoulder in search of the homeowner.

Monroe’s eyes darted over her head to discover she was alone before his arm snaked out, grabbed her jacket, and yanked her inside before closing the door firmly behind her.
 

Eden was
more than a little offended by the action, but when she opened her mouth to speak he’d already taken the lead.

“What in the hell are you doing out in this weather?”

She shoved her fur-lined hood back off her head and frowned up at the CEO, “My job.”  She watched the temper flare high on his cheeks. 
Christ, what’s he so upset about?  I’m the one stuck out in the cold freezing my ass off.

“Your s
upervisor doesn’t think this weather might be a little too dangerous for you to be out traipsing all across the mountain?”

Eden hiked a brow and frowned, “
Hardly traipsing Mr. StoneCrow.”

Monroe turned and strode to the table to set down his mug before returning and grabbing one of Eden’s arms and yanking the glove from her hand.  “Then what in the hell are you doing exactly?”

When he attempted to grab her other arm, Eden jerked it back and scowled up at him.  “I’m searching for an injured wolf.  It was wounded a few miles down the road.”  She made a grab for the glove that he held trapped between his elbow and his ribs.  This time,
he
jerked back and scowled.

“A wolf?
  You’re out risking your life for a wolf?”

She
eyed him warily, “
That
doesn’t sound like a comment the CEO of a wildlife preserve and rehabilitation center should be making.”

He
didn’t bat an eye.  “I’m all for the preservation of the state’s wildlife, I’m just not a proponent of the concept when it requires the endangerment of human life.”

Eden pointed angrily toward the window, “That poor animal is injured and suffering.”

“I wonder if your generosity and self-sacrifice is extended to
all
animals.”

Eden shrugged one shoulder, “You needn’t waste your energy wondering.  The answer is yes.”

He stood staring at her wordlessly, digesting her statement. She could’ve sworn that his pupils dilated until they consumed his entire eye.  It reminded her of Micah.  With his head dipped, his brow furrowed, and his piercing black eyes roaming her features as if for some unknown sign, Eden suddenly felt exposed…vulnerable.  It was an emotion she didn’t like and one she refused to lend any strength.

Tearing her eyes from his, she
huffed in exasperation as her eyes dropped to her captive glove.  “Look Mr. StoneCrow, I’m not here for permission or approval.  I came to see if Hunter had seen the wolf or any other suspicious activity.”

Monroe shook his head.  “I’ve rented the cabin for the winter.  Hunter’s not here.”

Eden was pulling the hood back onto her head, “Clearly.”  She held out her hand waiting for him to give her back her glove.

Instead
, he cocked his head, one eye crinkling in the corner, “What do you mean suspicious activity?”

Eden tapped her foot on the hard wood floor impatiently
, the gesture creating a slapping sound as the sole of her shoe smacked off the puddle created by her thawing boots.  “Witnesses saw poachers take a shot at that wolf.”

“So you’re chasing poachers?”
He didn’t bother to hide the incredulity in his voice.

“No,
” she shook her head noting how his anger spiked.  “My first priority is finding the injured wolf. 
Then
I’ll deal with the poachers.”

His
brows drew together as he took a step closer.  “Eden, if they shot the wolf then they’re carrying loaded weapons.”

Her
hand shot out and she managed to snag her glove before her wrist was clamped between Monroe’s strong fingers.  Her eyes lifted slowly to meet his, “
I’m
carrying a loaded weapon as well.”

His
voice was firm.  “I don’t think you should be out there.”

She
stepped back drawing her arm and glove with her as she smiled weakly.  “Yeah, I wish I didn’t have to be, but it’s my job.”  The conversation was too comfortable for her liking. 
I’m supposed to hate him…right? 
She forced her smile to reach her eyes, “And even if it wasn’t, I couldn’t leave a wounded animal out there alone in this.”  She shrugged as she turned, becoming all business.  “So, Mr. StoneCrow if you see anything out of the ordinary please contact the FWP immediately.”

H
er hand was already on the doorknob when he asked, “Do you have a direct number?”

She
retrieved a homemade business card from her pocket and handed it to him.  “Service is bad out here, but you can leave a message—if you can get one out—with the main office there at the bottom and they’ll contact me by radio.”

“Portable?”

Eden’s brows drew together in question, “Portable?”

“Is the radio portable?  Can you carry it with you?”

“Oh,” she shook her head, “No, I can only access it from the truck.”

“So what if you’re out in the mountains alone and something happens to you?  What do you do if you have no service?”

Her smile broke for just a fraction of a second as she eyed the window and the blizzard raging beyond.  “I pray that I’m trained well enough, dressed warm enough, and found soon enough.”  She swallowed hard before pasting on her all-business smile.  “Good night, Mr. StoneCrow.”  She stopped with the door partially open, “Be sure to shovel frequently.  The drifts have been known to pile feet high and trap Hunter in this cabin.” 

If Monroe responded, Eden didn’t hear it.  Once out the door, the wind whipped the snow into a nearly blinding frenzy that howled incessantly.
She trotted to her truck, glad she’d opted to leave it running.

She climbed inside and shook off the snow before shoving
the hood back off her head and removing her gloves.  She picked up the radio and called in to the office, her eyes on the massive form staring out at her from the window of the cabin.  “Robert, this is Edie, you copy?”

Static crackled on the line before it whined once and Eden’s co-worker respond
ed.  “Robert here.  Any luck out at Hunter’s place?”

“No. 
Seems he’s rented it out to one Mr. Monroe StoneCrow for the winter.”  Her voice dripped with disbelief. 

“You
gotta be shitting me!”

Eden smiled at the shock in Robert’s tone
, appreciating that he understood her dilemma.  She imagined it mirrored the shock on her face when Monroe had opened the door.  “Dead serious, and watch your language.  If Kevin’s listening in, he’ll tan your hide.”

“I’m not afraid of my brother.”
Robert challenged.

Eden laughed, “You afraid of your
boss?  Cause Monday through Friday, that’s what he is.”

Robert ignored the
jab.  “So what are your plans?”

Eden lean
ed forward to eye the sky.  “If this damn storm would break, I could hike in a ways and see if I could track the wolf.  As it is, the blood trail cut through Hunter’s land, but the snow is falling too damn fast.  I lost the sign here.  I’d hoped Hunter would’ve noticed something strange, but he’s in town and I’ve got a city slicker staring at me right now from Hunter’s cabin.”

Robert snorted.  “Christ.  You better just call it a night and
start again in the morning.  If the poacher’s are forced to stay out in this too long they’ll get desperate.  Leave ‘em be, Edie.”

She
frowned at the radio.  “Well, they’re becoming a concern now too.  The wolf, injured as it might be, can survive this storm.  But two moron poachers are liable to freeze to death in this.”  She was silent a moment as she let her eyes scan the tree line.  “Just one quick pass, Rob.  I won’t be long I promise.  If I haven’t radioed back in forty minutes,” she didn’t attempt to hide the smile in her voice, “call in the Marines.”

“Edie
, are you sure?  I don’t think you should do it.” The severity in Robert’s tone was rare for the younger Game Warden. 

“I know what I’m doing Rob
.  Besides, if I don’t find the morons or the blood trail straight off I’ll be back in the truck within ten minutes.  If you don’t hear from me by then it means I’m on someone’s tail.”

“Christ, there’s never any talking you out of it.
Where
exactly
are you going in?”

Eden turned to
stare behind her in the rear view mirror.  “Well I’m still at Hunter’s, so I’ll just take his back road as far as I can and hope to see tracks or blood, or anything in this damn storm.  I’ll leave my truck on the road and head straight east of where it’s parked.”

“Up the mountain?”
  Robert’s tone was shrill; he definitely didn’t like her plan.

“Yeah Rob, up the mountain.”

“Why?  Why not stick to the road?”

“Because if I were an injured wolf, I sure as hell wou
ldn’t stick to the road, and the poacher’s will be sticking to cover too.  I just might get two birds with one stone.”

“It’s
three-thirty now.  You’ve got till exactly four-fifteen to report back to me or I’m sounding the alarm. You hear me Edie?  Not a second later.  According to the chart the sun sets at 4:39.  So move your ass out there!  You’re cutting it damn close and you and I both know the mercury is going to drop once we lose the sun.”

“I hear
ya.  Talk to you in about forty-five minutes.  Or sooner.”  Eden signed off and backed from Monroe’s driveway, noting that he was still standing and staring out from the window. 

***

Damn stubborn woman! 
It took every ounce of Monroe’s strength to keep himself planted at the window frowning at Eden as she sat in her truck and had a conversation with someone on her radio. 

When he’d told King that he was renting Hunter’s cabin until construction on
StoneCrow’s expansion was complete, his Chief of Security had thought he was joking.  Monroe never left StoneCrow and certainly not without at least one of his Walker Sentries at his side.  Truth was, he’d become obsessed with Eden.  After her visit to the manor he’d shifted nightly and watched her cabin from the cover of the forestland that surrounded her home, sometimes as a wolf, sometimes as a bear, sometimes as a crow, but nightly regardless of his form. 

She hadn’t been lying about the children.  They were loud, rambunctious, and something else.  Being so far he couldn’t pinpoint the issue, but
he definitely needed to get a closer look at Eden’s home situation.  One night he’d even shifted to an old weather-beaten dog in an attempt to be taken in but Eden’s aged black lab had chased him off.  Sure, he could’ve killed the dog and then gained entrance in another form, but it was obvious that the children and Eden loved their pet. 

After nearly a week and a half of stalking her, he’d banished himself to Hunter’s cabin under the guise of work. 
Truth was that he wanted to spy on Eden without nosey-ass King Mulholland constantly badgering him about his sudden interest in nightly runs.  Bastard always knew more than he should.

He’d tried to forget about her.  He didn’t have time for lovey-dovey bullshit, but Eden wasn’t a lovey-dovey kind of woman and that intrigued him.  She was fierce and strong
and she refused to back down, even from him.  The memory of her stepping up to him at the manor had the corner of his mouth tweaking.  Another newly acquired anomaly that King was quick to point out. 
“You sick?  You’ve smiled like six times this week.  Want me to call Jenny, see if she can schedule you for a check-up?”
  He needed to remember to demote King once he got back to StoneCrow.

He growled self-
depreciatingly at his own behavior as of late.  It wasn’t the affliction, he knew that much.  He told himself it was merely a genuine curiosity…intrigue.  He’d never encountered such a creature and he was, after-all, in the business of collecting rare creatures. 

He wouldn’t get the chance to collect this one though if she kept on as she was. 
She was intentionally putting herself in jeopardy for a damn wolf!  She was infuriating beyond all sanity.  Why couldn’t she just stay home and out of the blizzard like the rest of the Montanans? 

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