Finley’s Feisty Mate (Dixon Pack Book 3) Page 9

  “I’m wondering why he wants your parents’ estate, too,” his dad asked. “Why would someone like him want your home and all that’s in it?”

  “You can’t let him have Haine, Chief, please!”

  Finn put his hand around Alex and said, “Don’t worry, Alex. Nobody will get Haine or you.”

  Deaton Eagan patted Alex’s knee. “I’m not going to let him know where you are, honey, but we need to find out what’s going on and why Dominic The Bull Santora wants you.”

  “Why would a key member of the Malton crime family want with Alex’s parents? That’s the question we need to find out. This isn’t right. It all started with her parents. They had something he wanted or…” Arden said from the door, “maybe they didn’t know they had it.”

  “My parents were good people and they would never do anything for a crime family,” Alex insisted, glaring at Arden.

  “I don’t know if they knew they were. I’ve got a call into some contacts of mine in Chicago. If the Malton family were after your parents, there would be some chatter around the neighborhoods.”

  “You made a call…but how would you know about this?” Alex pulled back from Finn. She looked around the room and found her answer. “How did you know?”

  “Alex,” Arden started, “you drew suspicion to yourself the moment you came to our town. You wouldn’t give anyone your last name and you gave Charlotte a fake name. Everything around you screamed you were on the run. I’m the Alpha of a wolf pack and you’re in my territory. I didn’t know if you were really hiding or here to find out about us. I will protect my pack against anyone and that included you, but Finn…”

  Alex looked back at Finn who was watching her every move. “Finn what?”

  “That’s something for him to tell you,” Arden said. “All I ask is for you to give him a chance to explain.”

  “Explain what?” Alex stood, waiting for Finn to say something as everyone in the room got up and started to leave.

  “I need for you guys to stay. I don’t know if she will understand what a mate is and I want her to truly get it,” Finn said.

  Quinn and Simone both pulled a chair up. “Alex, please sit because you need to be sitting when you hear this.”

  “Okay.” Alex swallowed hard. They could hear her heart beating fast in anticipation of what was going to happen.

  Quinn leaned forward with his elbows lying on his thighs. She had to say this right or Alex would run. “Well, you have watched the movies and books about shifters and you have heard them talk about mates…that shifters have mates, right?” Quinn asked.

  Alex nodded.

  “A mate is totally different than anything a human would ever have. I said that Arden was my husband which he is but he’s also my mate, which is stronger bond than a husband.”

  “Stronger? You’re confusing me. I thought a mate was what you called a husband or wife.”

  “It’s stronger than any piece of paper, Alex. You see, when a shifter meets their mate, it’s not something they can control. A shifter can scent a person and immediately know this person is for them. The human may not feel it at first, but they do feel a connection toward the person. For instance, when you first saw Finn what did you think?” Quinn asked. Alex’s face became flushed and looked away. “Look there is nothing wrong with thinking he’s hot, because he is.”

  Alex turned when she heard Arden growling. Simone and the others laughed. “Now, now, honey, you know you’re the only one for me, but that brings up another issue.” Quinn turned and whispered, “They get very possessive of any man that comes near you. It’s the wolf in them and us, too. I get very possessive if anyone comes near Arden, too.

  “We can’t help it, but no matter what, Alex, I feel this pull toward Arden even before he told me I was his mate. I felt this urge to be near him all the time. Trust me when I say I tried to fight it, but I just couldn’t. I think, right now, Finn needs to talk to you alone. I know you will have more questions and I’m here to answer them, but talk to Finn first.”

  Finn watched as Quinn and the others got up and walked out, closing the door. Alex was staring at the floor when the door clicked closed. “Alex…” Finn waited until she glanced up before he spoke. “I understand if you want to run out of here. I’ve been in your shoes before. When I was bitten, everything was confusing. I saw life in a different way afterward.”

  “In what way?”

  “Everything became clear to me. I had just returned from the war in Afghanistan and seen a lot and lost friends. I was so confused and didn’t know where I fit in life anymore. I survived when a lot of my friends died and I was having a hard time dealing with it. I held it inside, but as soon as I was bitten I saw it wasn’t my fault what happened to my friends. What happened was a tragedy, and I still mourn their deaths, but I can’t take responsibility for something I didn’t cause.

  “The wolf in me showed me that. I do still have nightmares but the wolf gets me through them. But I remember the moment I walked in the diner and saw you. My wolf practically jumped out of me to get to you. He was hard to control and I wanted you just as much.”

  “Why?” Alex asked. Her eyes looked alarmed.

  “Because you’re my mate. You are the one and there will be no other for me. I will never look at another woman and feel attracted to them like I do you. Sure, I will notice a pretty lady, but I don’t feel anything for them because you’re the one. I will never stray or cheat and I will never leave you. I would die for you and do whatever I have to in order to make you happy and safe.” Finn waited for Alex to answer, but she didn’t say a word. Instead she just stared at him. “Say something, Alex.”

  “I don’t know what to say. I just met you and I’m not a shifter. I’m human and I’ve got problems, big problems I’m trying to deal with and I just don’t know what to say. I’m afraid if I say the wrong thing then everyone will get mad at me and I…”

  “Alex, nobody will get mad at you. I won’t get mad at you. I just wish you would give me a chance. Get to know me and see if you feel something for me. I know this sounds crazy…” Finn got up and started pacing. “Hell,” Finn laughed. “It sounds stupid to me even saying it out loud. I know how humans think and this has to sound like a crazy person talking, but I can’t help the way I feel about you.”

  “Is this why you chased me out of the restaurant the first time we seen each other?”

  “Yes, my wolf got your scent and when you ran…well, he wanted to chase you and catch you. But mostly, I was terrified you would leave and I would never know who you were. We only get one mate in our lifetime and you were leaving. I’m so sorry you thought I was a crazy person.”

  “What would you have done when you caught me?”

  Finn chuckled then ran his hand through his hair. “Well, he would have wanted to lick you, that’s for sure, but…I…I want to kiss you more than the air I’m breathing.”

  “Okay,” Alex whispered. Finn blinked several times. He never expected her to say that. He just wanted her to understand how much he wanted her.

  Leaning over, Finn whispered in her ear, “Are you sure?”

  Alex nodded slowly and Finn didn’t waste any time, praying that she wouldn’t change her mind. Reaching over, Finn tilted her head up and softly slipped his mouth over hers. Finn could taste the sweet syrup on her lips. He explored her mouth, making sure he would taste her forever.

  Chapter 13

  Alex almost fell to her knees as Finn took control of her mouth. The groan that escaped her was nothing compared to what she was feeling between her legs. She wanted more. The feeling of never getting enough crashed into her as she pulled Finn closer, wrapping her fingers in his hair, tugging him until she couldn’t breathe. Was this the feelings Quinn and the others were talking about?

  He enveloped her, practically picking her up and pushing her against the wall. Although this emotion was unfamiliar to her, she felt like she had known Finn for years.

  She didn’t know what possess
ed her, but lifting her legs around his waist felt right. God, she couldn’t believe these feeling she was having. Whatever this was seemed normal for her to feel them. What the hell was she doing? Would he think differently of her now?

  Pulling away, Alex inhaled a deep breath as they both panted for air. “I’m sorry…I didn’t mean for that to happen like that. I wanted to take it slowly,” Finn expressed.

  “Well, I don’t know about you, but I think it was pretty awesome. Was it for you?” Alex asked, searching his face for any type of reaction.

  Finn smiled then crashed his lips down over hers again. The feeling was so unbelievably hot, she felt the excitement between her legs. This man was incredible, that was for sure, but most of all, he wasn’t just a pretty face. He seemed to actually care about her and appeared to really want to make her happy. But no matter what, Finley Eagan was a hot molten sex machine that turned her body into melted butter. She could feel her legs sway as he pulled her in tighter.

  Alex wrapped her legs around his waist again and couldn’t help grinding against him. The ache between her legs was on fire and only his touch could cool her down or make her hotter. Out of her league, that’s what she was. Her head wasn’t in the game and she sure as hell wasn’t thinking clearly. She didn’t know which way was, up and right now, she didn’t even act concerned. She was throwing caution to the wind. Damn girl, what had gotten into you?

  She knew if the knock on the door hadn’t jerked her back into reality, she would have had sex with him on the desk. She was making out in her boss’s office and she was three seconds away from doing something she couldn’t take back. Dear God, what was up with this mate crap because the wolf’s mojo was absolutely doing something to her. Was she Finn’s mate, and if so, was that the reason she was behaving this way? Did it affect humans to the point that it made them want to have sex anywhere, even on Quinn’s desk? Anyone could have walked in.

  She couldn’t afford to lose this job and lose these friends she had right now. Shaking her head, Alex dropped her feet and walked away from him. Finn was quickly becoming an addiction. She needed to figure this out before she did something that would jeopardize Haine and her. She couldn’t take the chance that he would get mad at her one day and leak where she was. Shaking her head, Alex walked to the other side of the room. She could still taste him on her lips.

  “Alex, it’s okay,” Finn said as he stepped toward her.

  “No.” Alex held her hand up patting her face. She could feel her neck and face getting red from embarrassment. “I can’t believe I did that. I have never acted like that before. I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t apologize. Because I’m not sorry,” Finn said then someone knocked on the door again. Taking in a deep breath, Finn opened it. His dad was standing on the other side.

  “I’m sorry to disturb you but we need to start working on this now. It’s only a matter of time before someone recognizes her. Any manner of things could happen and they could come here. I want to head this off before it gets bad. I want to make it so she is free and clear of all this. You are my son’s mate, correct?”

  Whoa! Alex didn’t know what to say. She did feel some type of connection toward Finn but she didn’t know if it was because of the mate thing or if she was just captivated by his looks and his personality. The man was gorgeous but that wasn’t something out of the ordinary to feel an attraction toward a man like Finn. But this was much more and Alex could feel the difference. But she couldn’t say it. Not yet. This was all still confusing and she needed time to figure this out.

  “Chief, I’m still trying to understand—”

  “Dad! Stop. She had no clue about shifters until yesterday and now we hit her with this. I don’t expect her to grasp all of this so fast.”

  “I do feel something for your son,” Alex whispered. She couldn’t act weak now. They were still in so much danger. “All I know for sure is that I need to figure this out and make sure my brother will be safe. But to answer your question, I can’t deal with this, too. Our lives are in danger, Chief, and that’s all I need to be concentrating on.”

  “Nobody will hurt Haine or you,” Finn responded.

  “Alex, what type of business were your parents in?” Chief asked.

  “The computer business. They programmed computers and if you had a virus or it wasn’t working properly then they fixed them. My dad did some tax business on the side, too, but they mainly sold you a system or worked on them.”

  “Would they have worked on Dominic Santora’s computer?” Finn asked.

  Alex shrugged. “I don’t know, maybe? If they did, why would he have killed them for helping him out?”

  “Maybe they found something they shouldn’t have found. The man is known for doing things against the law. He could have had a ton of stuff on his computer. Mobsters liked to keep information on people, even pictures. They may have found something they shouldn’t have seen,” Chief Eagan said.

  “But…if he had that on his computer why would he kill them. He wouldn’t have given them the computer if it was loaded with that type of information. That doesn’t make any sense,” Alex said.

  “It’s the only thing that does make sense,” Finn said. “Your mom and dad’s company is very reputable and the information they see is confidential. Dominic wouldn’t have sent it to them otherwise. He needed people who weren’t in the same line of business as he is and wouldn’t have a clue what was going on. You said that your dad did accounting; maybe he found something he wasn’t supposed to find. Something that only an accountant would notice. Any number of things could have happened.”

  “Maybe? But I just can’t see him killing them for it. But he wants all the money and he wants the house and the business equipment, too, but he can’t get anything unless I sign the paperwork and I’m not doing that. Chief Eagan do you know any FBI agents that would help me out? Someone who specializes in organized crime would be preferable.”

  “I do have some contacts, but my son has better ones,” Chief Eagan said, smiling at Finn.

  “I’m already looking in to it. But before we do that, let’s try to figure out what’s going on and what Dominic Santora wants with you. I just don’t think it’s about the money your parents are supposed to owe him. I think that is just a lie to get into the house or the business. He thinks your parents have something and he killed them to find it. We may need to look into the lawyer because he isn’t telling the truth and I wouldn’t doubt he’s the one who got your parents into this,” Finn said.

  “My dad is a smart man, and if he found something, he wouldn’t leave it lying around. He would have hidden it.”

  “Do you know where?” Chief Eagan asked.

  “I went through the office files looking for the deed to the house and a will. Mr. Peters is involved in this. When that animal was touching me,” Alex put her hand up to her mouth and stared at Finn. “I’m sorry, I meant nothing by that comment.”

  “Alex, we consider him to be the worst kind of animal. One that needs to be put down. No offense taken,” Finn answered with a nod, but she felt the anger radiating off him from what that douchebag had done to her.

  “Mr. Peters said something to Dominic Santora about needing me. I don’t remember his exact words but he didn’t even call the police. If he was on the up and up, he would have helped me.”

  “I will start with him,” Chief Eagan said. “Make sure you don’t call home or anyone related to your old life. I don’t know what’s going on with this lawyer and I sure as hell don’t want to draw any attention to us here.”

  “I’m sorry, Chief. I never wanted to get everyone here involved. Maybe it would be better if I took Haine and we left. If—”

  “No!” Finn growled. “You can’t leave. We can protect you here. Haine will be safe.”

  “Finn, you don’t know that. What if they came here and someone got hurt. I couldn’t bare it. If Quinn, Simone, or if you... I can’t take that risk. It would be unbearable if someone else I care about�
��” Alex turned away from Finn.

  “Alex,” Finn pulled her toward him and wrapped his arms around her, “nobody will, I promise. If Dominic Santora comes here, he won’t live long enough to leave. That I can assure you. That man or anyone he sends will never touch you or Haine. We are a pack, Alex, and I’m very trained in keeping people safe. I’m very specialized in killing. Hate to put it that way, but that’s what I used to do in the military.”

  “I do understand, but people die even in the most protected environments. You can’t make that promise, Finn. Too much is at stake. The detective has issued a warrant for me. What if some other cop finds me, and God, I can’t even think…What if they got to Haine. I don’t know what the man wants. I…”

  Finn’s dad put his hand on Alex’s arm trying to calm her. “That’s why you need to stay here, Alex. If anyone came here, they won’t meet anyone that’s going to help them or even allow them near you. You don’t want to be on the road with Haine and get pulled over. Haine is safe here. You are safe here. We’re going to make sure everyone is. I’m going to help you. Whether you realize this or not, you’re family. My family now, and that means the world to me. I’ll talk to you two later. I need to do some snooping.”

  Alex watched as the chief closed the door and left. “I can’t believe he said that. We’re strangers to him.”

  “Not anymore, Alex. You will never be alone again.” Finn still had his arms wrapped around her. He kissed the side of her head. “Just take it minute by minute. That’s all I can ask. But remember this, once we call you family, you will always be part of the pack, and the pack protects its own.”

  Alex turned in his arms and hugged him. “Thank you, Finn.” Her arms never reached around him but nothing could compare to how it felt as he hugged her.