Page 19 of Meant for Two
“Understood,” Jeff said.
CHAPTERSEVEN
After Drew Granger's departure,Zane rose from his seat. He felt a need to check on Blair, especially given her recent injury. Zane snapped his fingers in sudden realization. "I forgot to ask, did Malia get back to you about her assessment of Blair's condition?"
Jeff leaned back in his chair. "She texted and said that Blair seemed to be doing okay. Malia checked the bandages and advised her to wear a sling for a few days to keep her wrist protected."
Relieved that Malia had given her approval, Zane nodded. "That's good to hear. So, what are your plans for today?"
Jeff stood up, stretching slightly. "I think I'll spend some time working on this place. If we get any more jobs, Edward will let me know."
"Sounds like a plan. I'll shoot you a text if I learn anything.” Zane made his way downstairs and out the back where he had parked his car.
As he walked towards his vehicle, he hoped Blair would be at work today since he wanted to talk to her about the theft in more detail.
Reaching Woodland Estates, Zane noticed Blair's car parked on the road in front of the model home. Good. He pulled in behind her and took a moment to gather his thoughts before heading in, where her temporary office was located. He wanted to approach the discussion with sensitivity, avoiding any chastising or blaming her for her efforts to help.
Entering the model home, he spotted Blair fixing some pillows on the sofa. When she looked up, her face transitioned from a smile to surprise and then back to a smile upon seeing him. “Zane! I didn’t expect to see you today,” she said.
Zane returned her smile, as a feeling of warmth spread within him. "I wanted to discuss some thoughts we've had regarding the thefts."
Despite the swirl of emotions that her presence stirred in him, he maintained his composure.
From the first time he'd met Blair, Zane had been drawn to her beauty and her enticing figure. But this attraction felt different from other women he’d met. He was experiencing sensations he never had before, like his teeth sharpening and his nails extending, changes he usually reserved for combat with fellow werewolves. Heat rushed to his face as he struggled to regain his control.
To curb his unexpected sexual reaction, Zane forced his thoughts to the gravity of Blair's injury, the image of her falling and hitting her head. The sobering thought brought his physical reactions back to normal.
Blair stepped closer, which didn’t help keep his libido in check. "Did you learn who might have robbed the Hensleys?"
Shaking off his momentary distraction, Zane refocused on the topic at hand. "No, but Jeff's dad thinks that revenge could have been a motive."
Before Blair could inquire further, a burly man entered the model home, accompanied by an elderly couple. The man wore a shirt withGaines Realityprinted on it. Blair’s jaw tensed, and her hand in the sling visibly clenched in response.
"Blair, so nice to see you again. I hope you don't mind if I show my clients around,” the man addressed her with a smug attitude that Zane found irritating.
Struggling to keep his feelings hidden, Zane maintained a calm demeanor. He was aware that the man before them was a werewolf, something Blair surely had no idea about. Despite this, he could sense the strain between them, coming mostly from her.
"No, of course not.” Blair’s smile appeared somewhat forced. She turned to the elderly couple. "If you have any questions, I'll be happy to answer them."
"That won't be necessary," the man interjected, his attention already moving towards the couple. “I got this.” He directed them towards the kitchen.
Zane's gaze flickered back to Blair. Her jaw trembled, a clear sign of her distress. He stepped closer. "Are you okay?"
"Yes. It’s just that I didn't expect to see John here. Let’s just say there is history between us.” She grunted and then shook her head. “He has some nerve coming to my listing.”
Suppressing his protective instincts, Zane lowered his voice. "Want to tell me what's going on?"
Blair hesitated, her eyes locking onto his for a moment before widening in realization. “If you believe the theft was revenge-motivated then maybe John had something to do with the break-in," she whispered, her voice laced with suspicion. “Why else would he be here?”
Understanding the delicacy of their conversation, Zane suggested they find a more private spot to talk.
Blair glanced toward John and the elderly couple whose backs were to them before looking back at him. "Would you mind waiting until he leaves?"
Zane recognized the wisdom in her request. "Of course. I'll wander around and check out the surveillance equipment. If John asks what I’m doing I'll explain that I installed the cameras and want to make sure everything is in working order.”
Blair's relieved expression conveyed gratitude for his understanding. As he turned to leave, a cascade of thoughts hit him. He pondered the coldness in Blair's reaction towards this man. When she mentioned there was history between them, did she mean they had a romantic relationship?
At that disturbing thought, Zane's instincts kicked in; if Blair were John's mate, the wolf in him wouldn't have been able to hide his attraction to her. From what Zane had been told, one of the many telltale signs of being with your mate were glowing yellow eyes, teeth and nails sharpening, sudden facial hair growth, and a few other changes. Since John didn't exhibit any of those symptoms, she must not have been John’s mate.