Page 83 of His to Claim
“Not in the computers. When I was given the promotion, it included access to the basement, the location of the old employee files. I figured maybe there would be something left from a time my father worked there.”
“But you’re not certain your father had anything to do with the Montenegro Corporation. The notation could mean anything,” Stone insisted. “Meanwhile, you go on a mission to try and find information that might not exist. For all you know, you mother could have had a one-night stand with a man who gave her a fake name. You said so yourself, he doesn’t even exist on any public records.”
“My mother is fastidious in all aspects of her life. She was brought up that way. There is no way she’d have a one-night stand.” I rubbed my eyes, my head swimming in memories. “Whatever my stupid reasoning for coming here, Stone, I found proof that my father existed. I wasn’t lied to, at least completely. However, someone went to great lengths to remove everything about him. There has to be more information out there and I don’t buy he was some great criminal. My mother would have sniffed that out from the beginning. You don’t know her. She’s perfect in every way, unlike her wretched daughter.” I laughed bitterly, the ache in my heart just as painful as it had been my entire life.
“There’s nothing wretched about you, Vanessa. You have a strong conviction, a need to find a missing piece of your life and you have that right.”
I swallowed the bile that had formed in my throat, doing everything I could to squelch the anger I felt toward myself. “Yeah, well, let’s just see how far it gets me. I just want to find out everything I can about Lucas Tremaine.”
“I can certainly understand,” he said in such a quiet and understanding voice. “I will need the jump drive. The two Wolfens who were killed have a direct connection to Montenegro. The pack leader is an ATF agent. You may be able to help bring down not one but two men who have never been convicted of a crime, including the most recent prosecutor on a case.”
“Jesus Christ. He is a monster and yes, you can have the disc.”
He nodded. “Which also could be the very reason the wolf came after you.”
“What about his words, the tethering to him I seemed to have?” When his eyes glazed over, I could tell his rage was just below the surface.
“I am not certain. We need answers as to the identity of your father. Only then will we have even a remote chance of determining what is going on.” He studied me, lifting a single eyebrow. “Something else happened to terrify you.”
“It doesn’t matter any longer.”
“Everything matters when it comes to you, Vanessa. The sooner you understand that the better.”
I took a sip of wine, debating what to tell him.
He leaned closer, pinching my chin. “In case you’ve already forgotten, you are required to obey me. Should I remind you with another spanking?”
“Don’t even think about it,” I said quietly. “I don’t believe in coincidences. Before I went to see the reporter, I had to get gas and not in a part of town that you’d expect Chris Montenegro to dare be seen. He was suddenly right there, getting gas at the next pump.”
“Hold on. What?”
I nodded, feeling the heat of his anger. “I certainly didn’t anticipate running into him, but I could almost swear he’d been following me.”
“Did he threaten you?”
“Not in so many words, but I do think he was trying to tell me to back off.”
He sat back, a low growl rumbling from his chest. “I’ve told you he’s dangerous. You aren’t going back to your job. You can’t.”
“You can’t keep me from going to work. I’ve barely gotten anything from months of investigation, weeks of enduring the man’s attitude.” Granted, I wanted nothing to do with that world any longer.
“You have a target on your back, Vanessa. Until this is finished, you will not leave Roselake. Are we clear?”
There was so much fury on his face, but his eyes sent a chill down my spine. He was desperately worried for my safety. “Fine. You’re right. Whatever I’m mixed up in has gotten out of hand.”
“You promise me that you will obey,” he challenged, his words certainly no question but an expectation.
“Yes. I give you my word.” I had a nagging feeling that Stone didn’t buy into everything I’d told him. If I had to continue going at this alone, I would. I tugged on the sheet, a muddle of thoughts swimming in my mind. “You don’t buy the murders have anything to do with Montenegro. Do you?”
He snickered. “You are beginning to know me too well. Everything that has occurred is too… convenient. I believe the murders have everything to do with you.”
A nagging feeling surfaced, a thought I couldn’t get past.
“What if my father is a Wolfen, then who the hell am I?” I could tell by the burning look in his eyes that he wasn’t prepared to answer the question. Then again, I certainly wasn’t prepared to accept the possibility that my father wasn’t entirely human.
I shivered, pulling my knees to my chest and lowering my head. Everything had gotten so out of hand, there were far too many loose ends and the majority of them didn’t add up. I had a new and very sickening feeling pooling in my stomach, the consideration almost too damning to think about, but one I’d be forced to explore.
“Come here, little one,” he said in a commanding voice, taking my glass from my hand and placing both on the nightstand.