Unmasking the Wolf (2 page)

A wayward thought struck Luke, and he sat straight up in his chair. He pinned Dominic with a hard look. “How did you know?”

Dominic’s eyes lowered as a faint blush tinged his cheeks. “A lucky guess.”

Luke got to his feet. “You can’t smell my wolf, can you?” Excitement gripped him. All he’d worked for was finally coming to fruition.

He came around the desk and stood near Dominic. “Tell me the truth. Can you smell me?”

Dominic gave a halfhearted sniff of the air. “I smell your cologne, but that’s it.”

“Holy shit,” Luke breathed. In all his twenty nine years, he’d never experienced this sort of happiness. “By God, we’ve done it.”

Dominic stretched out a placating hand. “No, we haven’t. Not until L-12 is put through extensive testing. Jesus, Luke! We don’t even know the side effects yet. What were you thinking?”

“Apparently I was
thinking
this is the one.” Luke imagined the good that could come out of L-12. All the helpless wolves he could save. “And I was right.”

Dominic got to his feet. At six feet, even he was no match for Luke’s height. Nearly half a head shorter, the younger wolf knew he wouldn’t be able to dissuade Luke from his chosen course. “At least let me run some blood work on you.”

Luke gave a short nod. “Fine. You can prick me with all the needles you want, but I’m going to keep taking it. I need to know if it works.”

Dominic’s irate expression slipped away. “You know it won’t bring Laura back.”

A growl emanated from Luke’s throat. Though Dominic had to know he wouldn’t hurt him, the younger man took a step backward. “I loved Laura too, but you have to let her go. It’s not your fault she died.”

Luke strode away from the desk and stood at the large window overlooking the city of Boston. In the distance, he could see twinkling lights down near the Harbor. Nearly a year and a half ago, his sister’s body had been found abandoned in the park. The police investigation claimed it a homicide, but Luke knew the truth. Her throat had been ripped out, not cut like the official paperwork said. A lone female jogger attacked by another vicious wolf. He’d recognized the signs of a wolf attack when he’d gone to identify her body at the morgue.

Luke’s hands clenched at his sides. They’d left their pack in Mississippi and came to Boston so Laura could get the best education possible. He’d vowed to protect her. Instead, he’d been so caught up in work he’d forgotten his oath. Now all he had left were memories and the extensive research notes she’d left behind.

She and Dominic worked on L-1 by themselves in the MIT science labs as partners. Going through her apartment after her murder, Luke had found her notes. At the funeral, he’d approached Dominic and offered him a research position within his company.

He hadn’t been able to save Laura, but he could continue the research she’d been so passionate about.

An imposing concrete and metal structure stood before Gina. She had to tip her head way back to see the top of the building. White fluffy clouds dotted the blue sky, and the bright sun forced her eyes to squint behind a pair of dark silver sunglasses. It was massive, quite easily the largest building she’d ever seen.

Jesus.

Gina clutched the handle of her overstuffed suitcase and tamped down the urge to duck back into the taxi and return to the airport. Now that she was here, she wasn’t about to let nerves get the better of her. She’d finally stood up to her father. She refused to return home to hear
I told you so.

It hadn’t been a pretty scene. Her mother had softly cried and retreated into the bedroom. Her father railed at her for hours, but she’d refused to give in. Her decision to come to Boston remained steadfast.

Streams of people passed by her, brushing her on either side, as she lingered on the sidewalk. Looking straight ahead, with a bravado she’d never possessed, she strode toward the glass entrance of the Mason Building where her cousin Dominic worked. She’d gotten the address from the corporate website of his employer.

After draining her savings account, purchasing a one-way ticket to Boston, and packing her bags, she’d left Clinton. Her parents had refused to see her off. Their refusal had hurt, but she was resolved to make a life for herself before she settled down and found her mate.

The wind carried the scent of car exhaust and something
else.
She sniffed the air and caught a whiff of wolf. It was faint, but lingered in the air.
Dominic.

Gripping her suitcase even tighter, she passed through the doorway and entered a marble lined hallway. Skylights high above her head reflected the sun’s rays on the cool gray stone. The rubber soles of her sneakers squeaked as she moved toward the desk marked INFORMATION, where a beautiful blonde sat.

“May I help you?” The blonde didn’t lift her gaze. Her tone was cool, her expression painfully neutral.

Gina, used to boisterous greetings back home in Indiana, shuffled nervously. “Umm . . . I’m looking for Dominic Moretti.”

The blonde finally looked up at her. Green eyes, reminiscent of a snake’s, focused on her face. “And you are?”

Straightening her shoulders, Gina stared the blonde down. By nature she didn’t enjoy conflict, but she’d had enough of the blonde’s snooty tone. “Gina Moretti.”

“Right.” The blonde tapped several keys on the keyboard in front of her, and then gave a tight smile. “You’re not on his approved list of visitors.”

Gina opened her mouth to give the hateful woman a piece of her mind, but the sound of her name being called halted her vicious spiel. She turned and caught sight of her cousin. “Dominic!”

She dropped the handle of her suitcase and hurried forward. She hadn’t seen him in a couple of years, but the lanky form and overly long brown hair was still the same. He had a perpetually unkempt look about him. Artfully ripped jeans, paired with a wrinkled lab coat, perfected his science nerd look though it was difficult to consider Dominic a geek. His extensive dating history proved girls considered him attractive.

Dominic reached her and gathered her into a fierce hug. “I’ve missed you, cousin.”

Despite herself, tears pricked Gina’s eyes. Homesickness struck her like a blow to the stomach. Thank goodness she wouldn’t be alone in the city. She sniffed back the tears and raised her head to give him a watery smile. “Did you hear?”

A crooked grin marked his face. “Aunt Rosa called me. You caused quite the scene, I hear.”

“A birthday blowout,” Gina said with a giggle that had a slightly hysterical edge to it.

“Rumor has it that Uncle Tony was ready to blow a gasket.”

The memory of her father’s righteous indignation quickly sobered her. “He’s upset with me.”

“No doubt. It’s not every day that his beloved, obedient daughter decides to leave the pack.” Dominic’s voice softened, and he hugged her tighter. “It’s just the alpha talking, Gina. He’ll calm down soon.”

“I hope so.” Gina stepped out of Dominic’s embrace and went back to fetch her abandoned luggage. She tried to be good, really she did, but she couldn’t help smirking at the rude receptionist. “Apparently I don’t have to be on the list.”

The blonde rolled her eyes and went back to studying the open fashion magazine on her desk. Gina hoped not all women in Boston were like this one. Dominic noticed her expression, and his expression cooled considerably. “Is there a problem?”

Knowing his temper, she laid her hand on his forearm. “Nothing I can’t handle.”

Tension visibly eased out of his body. “Good. You tell me if there is.”

Gina sighed heavily. “Cut it out, Dom. I left Clinton so I didn’t have to put up with the big, bad macho act anymore. You’re acting more like my father every day.”

Dominic, who considered Tony practically a dad since his own father had died when he was a baby, laughed at her scowling expression. “I’ve gotta get my practice in for the day I become the alpha.”

Gina swatted his arm. “Lord save us all if that day ever comes.”

“Unless you’ve changed your mind and are willing to step up to the plate,” Dominic teased.

In their pack, a female could become the alpha. But only a few chose to do so. Gina doubted she had the strength to lead the pack. The responsibility seemed daunting, and she’d seen enough of her father’s stress to know the role wasn’t one she would willingly choose for herself. “Ha ha, funny.”

Dominic took her arm and led her to the elevators. “Come along and I’ll show you around.”

Excitement gripped her. “Can I see your lab?”

The elevator doors swished open and they stepped inside. Dominic gave a regretful shake of his head. “I’m sorry, but access is restricted. You have to have one of these to get inside.” He held up a plastic ID badge.

“That sucks.” Gina had wanted to see the sort of life Dominic had made for himself here. “How do I get one?”

His brown eyes danced with amusement. “You pretty much have to be me or Luke.”

“Luke?”

“Lucas Mason, the head of Mason Enterprises.”

“Ah.” Gina snapped her fingers. She’d read about him on the website. “I hear he has some sort of Midas touch when it comes to real estate development.”

“Among other things,” Dominic remarked. “Luke has his finger in all sorts of pies.”

“Can I meet him?” Gina had seen a black and white photo of him in a newspaper once. It had been grainy and from a distance, but he’d appeared attractive. “I’ve never met a billionaire before.”

Dominic chuckled. “Not quite a billionaire yet.”

“Pretty damned close. The man has his own helicopter for heaven’s sakes.”

As the elevator opened and they exited onto the thirty-second floor, Dominic gave her a probing look. “How do you know so much about him? Hoping to catch yourself a sugar daddy while you’re in Boston?”

Gina balled her fist and smacked his shoulder. “I just wanted to know more about your life. It’s pretty cool that you’ve done something. Everyone else I know has stayed in Clinton and became a farmer.”

Dominic patted the top of her head and clucked sympathetically. “Poor Gina. The grass isn’t always greener, you know?”

“Grass?” Gina resisted the urge to stick her tongue out at him. “I haven’t seen any grass here. Just concrete and asphalt.”

The hallway they walked down was lined with exotic woods, but appeared deserted. Up ahead, Gina could see a cluster of desks, and her super sensitive hearing caught snippets of conversation. Intent on sniffing the air to get a sense of the humans she was about to encounter, she didn’t notice Dominic had stopped walking until he caught her arm and hauled her back.

She turned toward him with a questioning expression. “What is it?”

His eyes darted toward the people and back to her. “Gina, you have to be careful. There aren’t many like us here.”

She rolled her eyes. “I know that, duh.”

“No, you don’t get it. People are different here. Just keep in mind that not everything is the way it seems back home.”

She gave him a sweet smile. “I understand. You’re worried I’ll embarrass you.” She patted his shoulder. “Don’t worry. I’ll be good. I promise. Now let’s go meet this fabulous billionaire boss of yours.”

“Uh . . . Gina?”

She laughed at the look on Dominic’s face and swirled back around. Her elbow connected with an impossibly firm abdomen. A muffled grunt sounded when she tripped over an expensive-looking black leather shoe.

“Ahhh,” she cried out as she tumbled toward the floor. A pair of strong arms clamped around her and jerked her back to her feet. Embarrassed beyond belief, her cheeks flamed with the knowledge she’d just made a fool of herself. In front of Dominic’s boss, no less. It didn’t take a brain scientist to realize the handsome, make that
extremely
handsome, man before her was Luke Mason.

He was sex-on-a-platter hot. Chiseled cheekbones, firm jaw, unbelievably straight nose, and a teensy weensy dimple in the center of his chin. This man was a living, breathing Greek god.

“Are you okay?” Piercing green eyes locked with hers as Luke’s grip on her arms slowly loosened.

Gina felt a jolt in the pit of her stomach. Despite Dominic’s warning to blend in, she sniffed the air. She had to. Something about this man called to her animal nature. But there was nothing. Not a trace of the wolf scent. Despite his unbelievable height and incredible physique, only the scent of sandalwood and spice came to her. Disappointment swamped her. He was human.

Luke continued to watch her. Gina knew he waited for her to speak, but her tongue refused to budge. She’d known he would be good-looking, but the newspaper article hadn’t done him full justice. Instead of a suit, he wore casual jeans and a dark blazer. He had the sort of hair that would curl in the rain. She didn’t know how she knew it. She just did. The golden-brown waves were delightfully rumpled in the middle of his head, as if he’d just risen from bed.

Gina gave a tiny moan at the thought of him rising naked from the sheets. He would be gloriously golden, with a tight belly and even tighter buttocks. Physical need rocked her to the core. What was up with lusting after a human? Was it merely the fact he was every woman’s wet dream, or something more?

His sensual lips curved into a sexy smile as he scrubbed a hand over his belly. “Hell of sharp elbow you have there.”

“Oh God, I’m so sorry.” Gina wanted to sink through the floor. Why was she always such a klutz?

“Don’t worry about it.” He drawled in a soft, slow tone.

She’d read he was originally from Jackson, Mississippi. The Southern accent was unbelievably sexy, but not nearly as sexy as the man himself. His face was a mixture of Hollywood leading man and mixed martial arts fighter. He was gorgeous, yet hard. She could easily visualize him serenading a woman one moment, and then fighting to protect her next.

Shivers rocked her from head to toe.

Dominic stepped up to her and put his hand on her shoulder. He jolted her from the dazed state of lust. “Luke, this is my cousin Gina. She’s going to be staying with me for a bit.”

The businessman’s gaze roved over her. The look was so full of heat it was a wonder she didn’t burst into flames. Or worse, that Dominic didn’t punch him. Maybe her cousin wasn’t aware of the tension between them, even though he had to be blind to miss it.