The Shifter Romances The Writer (Nocturne Falls Book 6) (21 page)

“I get that, but listen, her ex is playing games. Sending her notes, leaving messages on her car, and generally freaking her out.”

“What?” Delaney’s eyes flashed with indignation, and she snarled, baring her fangs. “That lowlife piece of—are you doing anything about this?”

“I am. I’ve made the other deputies aware, in fact, one of them is sitting outside her place right now keeping watch while I’m gone, and we’ve been actively searching for him in town. Nothing yet, but we’ll find him. I also plan to stay at her place tonight and I hope to lay hands on the man.”

“Are you also going to put a little supernatural fear into him?”

Alex nodded. “When I’m done with him, he’ll be begging to sign those divorce papers and leave Roxy alone. Hell, I doubt he’ll ever step foot in Nocturne Falls again.”

“Good.”

“So then we tell Roxy.”

Delaney pushed the remains of the cookies around on her plate, her expression tortured. “I just… I don’t know how to tell her. I always pictured doing it over a girls’ night, after a couple of drinks and when the mood was just right. But thanks to my pregnancy, that hasn’t happened. Now there’s all this stuff with her ex going on and I worry that I could be telling her something that could do more damage than good.”

“She writes paranormal romance for a living. She’ll probably handle it better than you think.”

“But in her current state of mind?”

“I think she would find it a great relief to know she’s not actually having a break with reality.”

“Yes, you’re right.” Delaney tipped her head. “Do you think her job is why the magic in the water isn’t working on her? She’s already so connected to the supernatural. She writes about it, so she must think about it all the time. Maybe her subconscious already knows better and just won’t let the magic take root.”

“Is that possible?”

She shrugged. “I’d have to ask Alice Bishop. It’s her spell, after all.”

Alex thought for a moment. “You’ve known Roxy a long time. Any chance she has a little supernatural blood in her? That could keep the magic from working, right?”

“It absolutely could. But whether or not her background includes supernatural bloodlines is beyond me. Remember, I was as human as she is when we first met. And if she does have some supernatural heritage, it’s so small that neither Hugh nor I have picked up on it.”

“Did I hear my name?” Hugh Ellingham walked in, a newspaper under one arm. “Hello, Deputy.” His brows lifted. “Everything all right?”

“Everything’s fine. I’m not here on official business.”

Delaney stood and kissed her husband on the cheek. “He’s here about Roxy.”

Hugh nodded and slid his arm around Delaney’s waist, but his concern remained. “She’s not in any trouble, is she?”

Alex frowned. “Her ex is giving her some grief, but I’m on top of it.”

Hugh’s expression shifted to confusion. “Is there something we can do to help with that? Because we will. Just say the word.”

Alex looked at Delaney. He didn’t know what she’d told Hugh and what she hadn’t. “That’s not really why I’m here. But if things escalate, I may take you up on that.”

Delaney sighed. “He’s here because he wants to let Roxy in on the truth about Nocturne Falls. The magic in the water isn’t hiding the supernatural from her, and according to Deputy Cruz, she thinks she’s going crazy because of the things she’s seeing.”

Hugh’s brows knit. “Then by all means, tell her.” He shook his head. “I said you should have told her when she first moved here.”

She barked out a laugh. “You remember how I reacted when I found out you were a vampire?”

He leaned back. “Very well. You climbed out of a second-story window with your cat in a backpack in the middle of the night and took off.” He snorted. “I had to follow you through the woods and convince you that I was telling the truth.”

“Exactly. So can you imagine how Roxy will react on top of the stress of her looming deadline and going through this awful divorce? I just don’t want to push her over the edge.”

Alex cleared his throat softly. “Not telling her is already pushing her over the edge.”

“And it’s my fault.” Delaney put a hand on her belly. “Again, you’re right. I need to tell her. I think this pregnancy is scrambling my brain a bit. As much as I’d rather put it off until morning, it needs to be done tonight, doesn’t it?”

Alex didn’t hesitate. “Yes. I can’t keep withholding the truth from her. We like each other, and that’s just not a good way to start any kind of relationship.”

Hugh nodded. “I agree. And not just for that reason.” He looked at Delaney. “I’m sure you’re tired, my darling, but your friend obviously needs to understand what’s happening around here as soon as possible.”

Delaney nodded. “She does. And I think Alex needs to go with me. She obviously trusts him and that way, if she runs off like I did, he can go after her. Are you good with that, Deputy?”

“Absolutely,” Alex said. That was exactly what he wanted. “It’ll be easier to show her that what we’re talking about is real if she sees two of us for what we truly are. And if she runs, which I don’t think she will, I’ll definitely go after her.”

Delaney narrowed her eyes a little. “You think she’s going to be okay with this?”

“I keep coming back to what she writes about. Based on those books, I think she could be very receptive to it.”

“I hope you’re right.” She hoisted herself out of the chair. “Fudge balls. I get any bigger and I won’t fit behind the steering wheel.”

“I can drive if you like,” Alex offered.

“No, I can manage. I’m going to swing by the shop and pack up a big bag of Roxy’s favorites. Might help things go down a little better. I’ll be there as soon as I can. Half an hour, tops.”

Relief washed through Alex. Finally Roxy would know the truth and have peace about what was happening. “I’ll see you at her house then. Thank you. Evening, Hugh.”

Hugh nodded. “Deputy.”

Alex texted Roxy that he was on his way back, and by the time he turned into their neighborhood, he’d pretty much planned what he was going to say. Of course, he’d let Delaney go first, so he realized he might have to modify his words a bit, but that was okay.

There would be no more secrets between them after this evening.

Since he had time before Delaney arrived, and Deputy Lafitte was parked outside of Roxy’s house on watch, Alex decided to do a quick drive through the streets around her place.

There wasn’t much to see. Pandora Williams’s house was dark except for the landscaping lighting. She spent a lot of time at her boyfriend’s house these days. The Dravens were away on a tour of Scotland. Freda Stover was visiting her sister in Florida. As he drove around, he realized there were a number of vacant houses Thomas could be hiding out in.

He parked on a side street a few blocks away and sent a text to Lafitte that he was back and Lafitte was free to return to his shift duties. Alex appreciated the man’s help, but he also knew this wasn’t officially sheriff business yet. That done, he headed on foot toward Roxy’s. He cut through yards and down driveways, keeping to the shadows and using his feline shifter senses to be as quiet as possible and hear every little thing.

Then a familiar scent and the crack of a twig brought him to a full stop at the corner of the Goldburgs’. Their yard wasn’t fenced and sat behind his and to the left of Roxy’s, meaning the top story of the playhouse in her backyard blocked most of his view of her property.

He leaned against the Goldburgs’ house, hidden by a trellis of bougainvillea. His night vision was excellent, so even through the deep shadows he could do more than just pick out shapes and forms.

A figure lurked at the edge of Roxy’s fence. A man, by the shape and size. Maybe five-ten, a hundred and seventy-five pounds.

Alex shifted into his half-form and inhaled, mouth open, so he could get a better read on the stranger’s scent. Definitely human.

The man rounded the corner of the fence, heading for the front of Roxy’s house via the Hadads’ side yard. Alex trailed him with the deep quiet only a big cat shifter could manage. He’d gotten to within inches of a perp before without being detected. This guy hadn’t hesitated or glanced over his shoulder once. He was making it easy.

He went around the fence and into the front yard. Alex stayed back, watching to see what the guy was going to do. He had some kind of package in his hands. A small box.

Alex inhaled again but smelled nothing suspicious.

The man stopped, his gaze seemingly on the front porch.

Alex moved behind him, repositioning himself in the shadow of a big oak on the Hadads’ property.

The guy looked around as he moved toward the gate that led into the backyard. He lifted the locking mechanism slowly, eased the gate open and slipped through, shutting the gate behind him just as carefully.

Alex made his way to the gate, listening closely. The man sounded like he’d moved a few feet away. What was his plan? To leave that package on Roxy’s back porch? Then what?

Then Alex heard footsteps on wood. That’s exactly what the man was doing—walking up the porch steps.

This had to stop now. Anger wound around Alex’s spine, and he decided the best way to get rid of this creep was exactly as planned. Put a little supernatural fear into him. Alex, still in his half-form, leaped over the fence.

He landed on all fours and almost shifted into his full panther form, but he wanted to talk to this guy.

The man was on the porch, bending down in front of the sliders.

Alex lunged, knocking the guy off the deck and into the grass. He landed on his stomach. Alex put a knee on his back, then bent to snarl in his ear, a deep menacing sound that had caused many a tough guy to cringe in fear.

The man stiffened at the sound and stopped struggling. Alex straightened slightly as he heard a car pull up to the front of the house. Delaney had arrived. This business needed to come to a close.

He bent toward the man’s ear again. “You’re done here, you understand? Done. No more notes. No more roses. No more anything. Sign the papers and leave Roxy the hell alone.”

“I-I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Liar.” Alex let a growl spill from his throat. Time to flip Thomas over and show him exactly who he was dealing with.

Suddenly, the slider and the curtain covering it opened, spilling light into the backyard. “Alex?”

He turned, realizing at the last moment what he looked like. He shifted immediately back into his full human form, but it was too late.

Fear masked Roxy’s face. Delaney stood behind her, looking slightly horrified. Roxy put a hand to her throat. “What…”

Alex stood. “I can explain.”

Freed, Thomas scrambled to his feet and took off. Alex glanced after him, but let him go. The man wasn’t likely to be much of a threat now, and the woman in front of him was more important. “Roxy, listen—”

“What was that? What
were
you?”

Delaney put her hand on Roxy’s shoulder. “We should all sit down and have a talk.”

Alex walked onto the porch, stopping to pick up the box Thomas had left behind. “That’s a good idea.” Although an already difficult conversation had just gotten harder.

Roxy looked at her. “
All
of us? Do you know about this? About him?”

Delaney glanced at Alex, then answered Roxy. “Yes. And it’s because of me that we haven’t told you yet.”

“Told me what?” Roxy looked at both of them, backing away toward the kitchen.

“We’re supernaturals.” Delaney frowned, then let out a long sigh. “I’m a vampire.” She pointed at her teeth, her fangs on full display and gleaming in the kitchen light. “See?”

Roxy stared at her, blank-faced. Her numb expression didn’t change as she looked at Alex. “You too?”

He shook his head. “I’m not a vampire, but I am a supernatural. A panther shifter. What you saw just now was me in my half form.”

Roxy nodded like he’d just said there’d be rain tomorrow. She put her hand out to grab hold of the kitchen counter, but she was a few inches shy of making contact. Her knees buckled, and she went down.

“Son of a—” Alex threw the box toward the table and caught her before she hit the floor. He cradled her in his arms and shot Delaney an unhappy look that did nothing to adequately convey what he was feeling. This had become exactly the kind of mess he’d wanted to avoid.

Delaney put her hand on her stomach and grimaced. “Go ahead. Say I told you so.”

“You already did.”