Page 2 of Pack and Forth
Gerri leaned back in her chair, twirling a pen between her fingers as she spoke. “Well, it appears some low-life jerk has taken it upon themselves to impersonate my agency. They’ve set up fake websites, phony phone numbers, and are matching up clients left and right. But here’s the kicker—these matches are about as compatible as a vegan at a barbecue festival.”
Kira chuckled on the other end of the line. “That does sound like a problem. What kind of matches are we talking about here?”
“Oh, honey, you name it,” Gerri replied, her free hand waving in the air as if Kira could see her. “First of all, I keep my matches strictly between shifters and humans or shifter with shifter. Whoever this person is has caused all types of havoc. Matching werewolves with vampires, witches with fae—I even had a poor mermaid who ended up on a date with a desert-dwelling dragon. Can you imagine the logistics of that? The poor dear would be fish jerky before the appetizers even arrived.”
This time, Kira outright laughed. “Okay, I see your point. But what’s this doing to your business?”
Gerri sighed dramatically, her tone shifting to one of mock despair. “Darling, it’s a disaster. Clients are demanding refunds faster than a speeding bullet, and my bank account is looking sadder than a basset hound’s face. But the real tragedy? My poor charities are suffering. The children’s hospital, the animal rescues, the homeless shelters—they all depend on my donations, and now I’m watching that lifeline slip away like a greased-up pig at a county fair.”
“That does sound serious,” Kira said, her voice laced with genuine concern. “What do you need me to do?”
“I need you to work your magic, Kira,” Gerri replied, her tone turning serious for a moment. “Find this scammer, shut them down, and save my agency from ruin. I know it’s a tall order, but if anyone can do it, it’s you. You’re the best private investigator I know, and I trust you more than I trust my own instincts—and that’s saying something, considering I once matched a werewolf with a silver allergy to a lovely lady who owned an antique shop specializing in silver jewelry.”
Kira laughed, the sound warm and reassuring. “Don’t worry, Gerri. I’m on the case. I’ll find this impersonator and make sure they never mess with your agency again.”
Gerri let out a whoop of joy, her free hand pumping the air in triumph. “Excellent! I knew I could count on you, darling. Now, here’s what I need you to do...”
As she outlined her plan, Gerri’s mind was already racing ahead, envisioning the romance that was about to unfold. Little did Kira know she was about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime; one that would lead her straight into the arms of Rex Stone and Nash Jeter.
“Buckle up, buttercup,” Gerri murmured, a wicked gleam in her eye as she ended the call. “You’re in for one hell of a ride.”
ONE
The cacophony of honking horns and screeching tires assaulted Kira Cress’s ears as she deftly wove her sleek black Mustang through the congested city streets. The morning sun’s rays danced across her auburn hair tied back in a tight ponytail that swayed with each turn of the wheel. Kira’s amber eyes, as sharp as a lioness stalking her prey, scanned the road ahead, her mind already dissecting the details of her latest surveillance case.
As a seasoned private investigator, Kira had long ago learned to navigate the treacherous waters of her profession. From cheating spouses to embezzling employees, she had seen it all. But the one challenge that continued to elude her was the sense of belonging she so desperately craved. Born to a human mother and a lion shifter father, Kira had always felt like a misfit, trapped between two worlds but never truly a part of either. She yearned for the unbreakable bonds of a pride, the comfort of knowing she had a place where she truly fit. But her mixed heritage had made that dream feel as distant as the stars in the night sky.
With a sharp turn of the wheel, Kira maneuvered her car into a narrow alley, coming to a stop in the shadows of a towering office building. She reached for her camera, the weight of it familiar in her hands, and began the methodical process of setting up for a long day of surveillance. Her client, a wealthy woman, suspected her businessman husband of infidelity, and it was Kira’s job to uncover the truth.
Sitting and waiting at the café’s outside table, Kira’s mind drifted to the countless hours she had spent on stakeouts just like this one. Through the detached lens of her camera, she had watched as marriages crumbled and lives fell apart. It was a lonely existence, spending her days in the shadows, but it was a life that suited her independent nature.
Suddenly, movement caught her eye. The target, a middle-aged man in a perfectly tailored suit, emerged from the office building, his eyes darting nervously from side to side. With bated breath, Kira watched as he crossed the street, his polished shoes clicking against the pavement, and entered the café.
Inside, a young woman with flowing blonde hair and a dazzling smile greeted him, her face lighting up like the sun at his arrival. Kira’s camera whirred to life, capturing every intimate moment as the man pulled the woman into a tight embrace, his hands roaming across her back with a familiarity that spoke of countless secret rendezvous.
As Kira snapped photo after photo, her mind wandered to her own solitary life. Growing up, she had always been the odd one out, the girl who never quite fit in. While her classmates had gone to sleepovers and birthday parties, Kira had spent her nights curled up with her mother’s old mystery novels, dreaming of a life of adventure and purpose.
Her mother, bless her soul, had loved Kira with a fierceness that knew no bounds. But as much as she tried, she could never quite understand the wild, untamed part of Kira that longed to run free under the moon’s watchful gaze. And the shifter community, while outwardly welcoming, had always kept Kira at a distance, unsure of how to reconcile her dual nature.
A sudden commotion from inside the café jolted Kira back to the present. She watched, her heart pounding, as another man burst through the doors, his face contorted with rage. With a sinking feeling, Kira realized this might be the other cheating half of the equation.
The man stormed up to the table where Kira’s target sat, his jaw stiff. “I knew it!” he growled, his fists clenched at his sides. “I knew you were cheating on me, you bitch!”
The woman leaped to her feet, her face pale with shock. “Sam,” she stammered, “it’s not what it looks like. I can explain!”
But Sam was having none of it. He grabbed her target by the shirt and lifted him to his feet, then punched him in the face. The café erupted into chaos, patrons gawking and scattering as the drama unfolded before their very eyes.
Kira, her finger still poised on the shutter button, captured every moment of the unfolding scene. It was a stark reminder of the ugly realities she dealt with every day, the broken promises and shattered dreams that left families in ruins.
As the scorned man stormed out of the café, the woman in hot pursuit, Kira lowered her camera with a heavy sigh. She had all the evidence she needed for both sides now, but the weight of it sat heavily on her shoulders.
With a sigh, Kira packed up her equipment and headed back to her car. Another case closed, another mystery solved. But the emptiness in her heart remained, a constant companion on the long drive back to her office.
Kira had barely settled into her office chair when her phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID and raised an eyebrow. Gerri Wilder, the infamous matchmaker known for her uncanny ability to find perfect matches for even the most difficult cases.
“Kira Cress speaking,” she answered, her curiosity piqued.
“Kira, darling!” Gerri’s voice was a mix of exasperation and humor. “I need your help. Some fraudster has been impersonating me and setting up the most disastrous matches. It’s chaos!”