Werewolf in Las Vegas

Chapter 26

Luke felt Giselle tense and he could guess why. She didn’t want him to feel manipulated into something before he even understood it. Most of all, she wouldn’t want him to think everyone was pushing him into a relationship that involved a lifetime commitment. That lack of choice was the very thing that had driven her brother to take a long Vegas vacation.

But Luke didn’t feel manipulated, even though Cynthia had made it clear what she thought should happen. Instead he felt challenged, and in a good way. Giselle might have different DNA from his, but the more he thought about it, the more that fascinated him.

As for the world she lived in, he understood it better than she might think. It was the world of commerce, the world he’d grown up in and been trained for. The Cartwrights and the Landrys might each be a werewolf pack, but they were business oriented and apparently successful at it. No wonder his father and Harrison had become friends. Except for the werewolf thing, they had led similar lives.

He was beginning to see a grand new adventure spreading out before him, and that was exciting. If he could share that adventure with Giselle, the most fascinating female he’d ever known, he would be a happy man. Being accepted into her circle sounded great to him. He wasn’t clear on what the deal would be with kids in that scenario, but she’d said she couldn’t get pregnant, so that might not be an issue.

So far, though, nobody had bothered to explain a more immediate mystery, so he decided to ask the obvious question. “What were you three werewolves doing behind that revolving door?”

Benedict grinned. “I wondered when you’d get around to that.”

“Well, I just did. Care to explain? Especially since I still own this bar, and that means I own the revolving door and probably whatever’s behind it.”

“I’d be happy to tell you,” Benedict said. “In fact, this is going to make my life a whole lot easier.”

Luke gestured across the table. “Proceed.”

Benedict launched into an explanation that sounded almost as unbelievable as the existence of werewolves. Luke found himself glancing down at the floor. Beneath his feet was something he never would have imagined in a million years.

Cynthia’s eyes widened. “All that stuff is underground? And no one knows?”

“The werewolves know,” Benedict said.

“I can’t believe the secret hasn’t gotten out.” Luke continued to wrestle with the concept. “Somebody hears a rumor and somehow gets past security to check it out. In human form, everybody looks the same.”

“Yes, but they don’t smell the same,” Giselle said. “I knew the minute Mr. Thatcher walked into your suite that he was Were. And vice versa.”

“So a human wouldn’t pass the sniff test? Is that what you’re saying?”

Benedict nodded. “That’s the time-honored way we tell Weres from humans. Because you’re right. Any human walking in here right now wouldn’t have any idea we’re from a different species.”

“Well, obviously, I want to see this place.” Luke finished his drink. “Shall we go?”

“Me, too!” Cynthia swigged the last of her cosmo. “I wish I could see it all working, though, with the stream and the waterfalls in operation, and the forest sounds, and the moon. I think the moon is genius, considering the name of the bar.”

Bryce looked over at Benedict. “Can you see any reason not to turn on the water? We fixed that small leak. It would be good to test the system, though, and make sure everything’s working right if the playground will open again soon.”

Benedict’s gaze registered approval. “Good thinking, Landry. And for the record, I appreciate your help and friendship over the past few days.”

“Glad to be of service.”

“How about turning on the lights and sound system?” Cynthia asked. “I’d love to get the full effect.”

Bryce turned toward Luke. “It’ll run up your utility bill, man. And you’re the one on the hook for that until you sell the Moon to this dude.” He angled his head toward Benedict.

“What the hell.” Luke shrugged. “My little sister wants to see the show.” He glanced over at Giselle and smiled. “So do I, come to think of it.”

Cynthia left her chair and came over to kiss his cheek. “Thanks, Bro.”

“The controls are in the locker room,” Benedict said. “Follow me.”

“I want to see how you activate everything,” Bryce said.

Cynthia headed off right behind them. “I knew you two were cool, but I had no idea how cool.”

Luke caught Giselle gazing after Cynthia with a flicker of concern in her eyes. He shared that concern. Cynthia might think this werewolf stuff was fascinating and cool, but knowledge of it would have a cost. He wanted to know what that was.

He looked over at Mr. Thatcher, who was finishing his gin and tonic. “We need to talk.”

Cynthia popped back in the room. “Aren’t you all coming? I thought you wanted to see this, Luke.”

“I do. You go ahead and get things started. I’ll wait here with Mr. Thatcher until you say it’s ready for viewing.”

“Same here,” Giselle said. “Come and get us when it’s all at its spectacular best.”

“Don’t worry.” Cynthia flashed them a smile. “I will!”

Once she was gone, Mr. Thatcher squared his shoulders as if preparing for a blow. “If you choose to fire me, sir, I completely understand.”

“I’m not going to fire you, Mr. Thatcher, but I need to know from you and Giselle what happens next. I run a large business, and when we have a security issue, we fix it. I’ve heard a little about a council and some monitoring, but that seems too simplistic and easy. What’s the real scoop?”

Giselle put a hand on his arm. “You and Cynthia are in no danger. I promise you that.”

“Certainly not!” Mr. Thatcher looked horrified at the idea. “I would lay down my life for you and Cynthia. Not that it will be necessary,” he added quickly.

“That’s what I need to know.” Luke fought to stay calm. “Personally, I can take care of myself, but if anyone plans to harm my sister, there will be hell to pay.”

“They won’t,” Giselle said. “You have my word.”

He turned to her and found love and certainty in those green eyes. He was vastly reassured. “Then if we’re not going to be killed, how will you deal with us? We know the secret. Surely we’re considered a security risk.”

“That’s right.” She met his gaze without hesitation. “That’s why I was so determined that you wouldn’t ever know. But . . . then Bryce said something to me that I wasn’t able to forget. He said if I never told you, I was taking away your ability to choose whether you wanted to be with me or not.”

“Thank God for Bryce.” He gave her hand a squeeze. “He was right. And I’m fine with whatever has to go on with me. It’s Cynthia I worry about. I know I’m not her parent, but this is different. She was swept up in this by accident, and I want to make sure she’ll be safe.”

“She will be. We’ll work through it together.”

“Great. Just tell me how.”

“I’m not sure yet.”

Mr. Thatcher cleared his throat. “If I may offer some thoughts . . .”

Luke glanced over at the man—no, the werewolf—he’d considered a second father. To think he’d always considered Mr. Thatcher a little on the dull side. “Please do,” he said. “I’m counting on you to help me sort this out.”

“I haven’t had much time to ponder this, but one thing I know—you and Cynthia are completely trustworthy. I’ve watched you both grow into adults who keep your word.”

“So that’s all I’ll have to do? Promise not to tell? I find that hard to believe.”

“It’ll be more complicated than that,” Giselle said. “But having three werewolves vouch for your character will go a long way with the council. It’s not as if you’re the first two humans to find out about us, and we’ve managed to keep the secret for centuries.”

“This council has sole discretion to decide what’s to be done with us?” Luke didn’t appreciate having his fate or Cynthia’s in the hands of others, especially a different species from his own.

“That makes it sound like some kind of kangaroo court,” Giselle said. “It’s not. It’s a reasonable group. And, as Cynthia said, I’m on it.”

“That could make a difference. I hope. Unless you’re going to be in trouble for revealing the secret to me, and, by accident, to Cynthia.” He gazed at her. “I’ll say it was all my fault. I hounded you until you told me.”

“No, no.” Mr. Thatcher waved both hands. “Don’t do that. If anyone needs to be the sacrificial lamb, I’ll volunteer. I knew the two of you were falling in love, and I didn’t do anything to stop it. In fact, once I realized that Giselle might consider changing her views, I encouraged it.”

Luke gazed at him. “What views?”

“We can talk about that later.” Giselle clearly wanted to change the subject.

He decided to let her do that, but he’d get back to it sometime later. He wanted to know her views and how he fit into them, or how he didn’t.

“Nobody’s to blame for this except me,” Giselle said. “I’m the one who chose to reveal the secret. Bryce encouraged me, but I’m the one who—”

“What’s that?” Bryce walked into the room. “Are you trying to pin this rap on me, little sister?”

“Never.” Giselle slipped her hand from Luke’s and stood. “I’m glad you urged me to tell Luke. He deserved to know.”

“I’m grateful.” Luke stood and walked over to shake Bryce’s hand. “This is a lot to take in, but far better for me to be on information overload than to have no information at all. And no Giselle.”

Bryce nodded, his gaze understanding. “Obviously I agree with that. I didn’t expect Cynthia to be a part of all this, but maybe that’s a good thing. She’s on the inside with you now, instead of on the outside. Given how close you two are, I think in the long run this will make things easier.”

“Hm.” Luke regarded Bryce with new respect. “Good thought. I hadn’t considered that.”

“I told Cynthia the council will probably require that she and her brother sign a nondisclosure agreement,” Bryce continued, “and there could be—”

“You’ve been discussing this with her?” Luke heard his tone of voice. Way to have a knee-jerk reaction. He backpedaled immediately. “I mean, good. I’m glad you talked to her about it.”

“Actually, I’ve been discussing it with him.” Cynthia came up behind Bryce and peeked over his shoulder. “I wasn’t born yesterday, big brother. I realize we’re now in the category of those who know too much, so I asked Bryce how werewolves handle a case like ours. I don’t relish getting eliminated. Do you?”

“Uh, no, I don’t.” He reminded himself that Cynthia’s brain was always working, so naturally she’d figured out the possible consequences of this caper, too. Maybe someday, twenty years from now, he’d shed the last of his protective behavior. Then again, maybe not.

“The way I look at it,” Bryce said, “Mr. Thatcher can vouch for you and Cynthia, and Benedict can add in his two cents, since he’s known both of you for a long time, too. The council could impose some monitoring for a year or so, but that might be it.”

“Might?” Luke frowned. “I don’t like these vague terms. Give it to me straight. What’s the worst that could happen?”

Bryce eyed him. “You mean if they decided you pose a definite security risk?”

“Exactly. Let’s say they don’t trust me, or Cynthia for that matter, despite what you all say. What would they do? Kill us?”

Bryce sighed. “No, you have to get that out of your head. We don’t kill. But we might need to contain you.”

“Aha! I knew it. You’d have to catch me, first, though. And my little sister can run like a bat out of hell.”

“Oh, we would catch you. But don’t worry. It’s not like we have a prison with a dungeon or anything. It’s more like staying at the most luxurious resort in the world.”

“As if that makes it better,” Luke muttered.

“But it won’t happen!” Cynthia said. “We have three great character references. If you’ll just let me do the talking, we’ll be fine.”

From the corner of his eye, Luke saw Giselle cover her mouth as if hiding a smile. Okay, so his little sister was cute and sassy while he was the gloom-and-doom guy in the bunch. But despite all the insights he’d gained recently, he couldn’t turn off that basic urge to keep Cynthia safe. That had been imprinted on him when he was ten, and it wasn’t changing. At this point, he wasn’t entirely convinced that he could keep her safe, and worry churned in his gut.

“I think we’ve beat that subject to death,” Bryce said. “How about a tour of the werewolf playground? That should cheer everybody up!”

Luke doubted it would make him any more cheerful, but he was curious. “Let’s do it.” He gestured for Giselle to go ahead of him.

She leaned toward him as she walked by. “It’ll be okay. I promise.”

“Hope so.” He believed she’d do everything in her power to make it so, but she couldn’t possibly have complete control over what would happen.

As he started to follow her, Mr. Thatcher touched his arm.

He turned around, and the butler motioned him closer. “There is that perfect solution, the one Cynthia mentioned,” he murmured.

“I’ve been thinking about that.” They wouldn’t marry. They would mate. The term had a primitive ring to it that both excited and alarmed him.

“I urge you to think about it.”

“It’s tough to get my mind around it, Mr. Thatcher. It’s a radical concept. And most of all, I . . . I don’t know if she would want that.” Or if I do. He might have been thinking about it before, but now that he knew she was a different species, he didn’t feel as if he knew her as well as he had imagined. It wasn’t that he didn’t love her, but knowing she was a werewolf gave him pause and made him want to know more before he made any decisions.

“Ask her.”