Free Grif (Tales of the Were - Redstone Clan) by Bianca D'Arc

safe.
    He walked briskly through the backyard and up to the back door, pausing only briefly to open it with the hand that was under her legs. He bustled her through the door, depositing her on her feet just inside the small kitchen.
    “What was all that about?”
    Grif thought fast. He had to come up with some kind of explanation for what, to her, must seem like utterly bizarre behavior. Telling her the truth was out. What else could he say that might sound plausible?
    “I’m sorry, Lindsey.” He ran one hand through his hair in frustration. “This is happening too fast.” It wasn’t. He’d wanted to jump her bones from the moment he first caught sight of her—but maybe she’d buy it. “There have been some things happening in my life lately that make me want to take things slow. It’s been a rough couple of months.” That was closer to the truth. Life had been shit for months. The only bright spot had been Lindsey and his undeniable attraction to her.
    Before meeting Lindsey, Grif was almost afraid his dick didn’t work anymore. It hadn’t been interested in a female in far too long, which wasn’t exactly normal for an Alpha male in the prime of his life. He would’ve worried—if he’d had time to worry about himself during all the upheavals of the past few months.
    Lindsey eyed him suspiciously, but she seemed to be willing to listen to his lame excuses.
    “After the tragedy of losing my sister... And then my mom’s murder... And poor Belinda. I’m sorry. I worry about any female that gets mixed up with me.” Now that was true. Truer than he liked to admit.
    Lindsey seemed to cave. She stepped close and put her arms around his middle, giving him a squeeze. His arms went around her out of reflex, and he basked in the hug of affection and sympathy she gave him.
    “It’s okay. I think I understand.” She drew away and he had to fight to let her go.
    She patted his chest in a comforting way before leaving his embrace completely. Her smile was still a touch confused, but he read acceptance of his ridiculous excuse in her stance. She was letting him go.
    It was one of the hardest things he’d ever done in his life, walking away from her. Forget that. He was hard. And wanting. Desperate for her. But the cougar in his soul needed to protect and defend. It needed to stalk the stalker and discover what was waiting out in the darkness of the forest…watching.
    Until the cougar’s curiosity was satisfied, the man couldn’t get satisfaction either. Grif sighed and left with a few last words of farewell. He had his phone out even before he heard her lock the door behind him. He needed help to keep his woman safe, and he knew just who to call to get it. Not the local wolves. No, this was a job for family.
    “Steve, I’m glad I got you,” Grif said into his phone as the call was picked up on the other end. “I need some help out here in Wyoming. It may be nothing, but I could swear I’ve caught the faint scent of Jackie’s killer in the wind. It’s happened more than once.”
    “I’m on my way,” his brother, Steve, replied without hestation. “How much backup do you need?”
    “Let’s keep this informal for now. Who else can you spare to come out here?” All four of Grif’s younger brothers were supposed to be running different aspects of the family business and Clan while Grif was away, but he wasn’t really clear on just who was doing what. He’d just trusted them to get the job done.
    “I’ll ask Matt. Bob’s going to have to take on my work. Matt just finished the Wallace Towers job. As for Mag,” Steve sighed. “He’s been more away than here lately.”
    “All right. You and Matt. As soon as you can.”
    “We’ll be on the next possible flight. Meanwhile, watch your back, bro. Timmons is dangerous. Just hang tight until we get there.”
    “I know, Steve.” Grif shook his head. “It might be nothing…”
    “But it might not.” Steve’s voice was very firm over the satellite