To Claim His Mate Read online

  He reached out to her, and she flinched away from his touch, still recovering from her rough handling only moments ago.

  “I’m sorry,” he said. “I can assure you I’ve never raised my hand to a woman and never plan to do so. I was only going to check your arm. He had quite a grip on you.” He lightly touched the already bruising flesh. “His mama didn’t teach that boy shit. If I would’ve done anything like this, my mother would have beat me to within an inch of my life. Our family never condones hitting women. Hell, you could beat the crap out of any of us, and we’d barely even defend ourselves.”

  He appeared genuinely upset over her treatment, and the thought sent a warm tingle through her belly. “Adam, I really appreciate your help and would like for you to see me to my car if you don’t mind, but only from a distance. If they’re outside and see you with me, you’ll become a target, and I would hate to see that. You seem like the type of man who’s respectful and loyal, and these men are neither. They’ll never leave me alone for long, and I’ve come to accept that.” Evangeline turned once again to leave and was glad when he didn’t object.

  God knew, she wanted him with a fierceness that frightened her. His touch had sent heat zinging up her arm and tightened her nipples. This man was actually more of a danger to her than Shane. Adam made her want, desperately, when she’d just grown to accept she would be alone—at least, until Shane found a new outlet for his hatred.

  That was fine, she assured herself. She had plenty of money and would never have to work. She would have moved away to another town or state, but her grandmother’s house was all she had left of her family, besides her money. She wanted to hold on to the memories in that home for as long as she could.

  Fate seemed to have very different plans. Upon arriving home, she discovered all the windows in her home had been shattered. Glass lay both inside the house and out, showing that some of the windows had been broken from within. All the lights were out when she approached the door.

  “Don’t go inside.” Adam appeared behind her, startling a yelp from her mouth before she slapped her hand over it.

  What the hell? He’d followed her home? Well, that isn’t creepy or anything, she thought sarcastically, wondering just what kind of situation she’d just landed herself in. “This is my home, and I need to see what’s left of it. I highly doubt anyone is still around.”

  “You don’t know that. There could be someone inside.”

  There wasn’t, and he knew that because he could scent no danger. Adam was sure, however, that the damage on the inside was probably far worse than on the outside.

  He watched Evangeline as she nervously shifted on her feet, her heart rate picking up as evidenced by the tick on the side of her slender throat. She was scared, but he couldn’t blame her. After all, he had followed her home after having just met her.

  “Why are you here? It’s a little creepy that you followed me home.” She eyed him warily while slipping her phone from her purse. “I’m going to call the police to report the break-in. I guess I’ll have to wait for them to look inside before I go in. Maybe, they can find some evidence that could get Shane out of my hair for a few weeks.”

  “Weeks?” Adam wasn’t following that. For breaking and entering, a person would get more than a few weeks in jail.

  “His uncle is a lawyer and good friends with the local judge. Small towns suck like that. Shane will be out a lot sooner than he should be, and his friends will keep up their duties while he’s in.”

  Adam was appalled. To think the very legal system, meant to protect victims like Evangeline, was corrupted enough let her attackers go free with not much more than a slap on the wrist. It was unacceptable, and Adam wanted to make sure that, this time, they stayed in jail.

  Shrugging, she placed her call with a familiarity that saddened him. He suggested that they go to his truck until police came, and because she was instructed to stay away from the scene until they arrived, they made their way around the corner and climbed into the front seat to wait.

  From their position, they could see over her neighbor’s fence that her back windows had been busted out, as well. Needless to say, there wasn’t much conversation. She seemed to be deep in thought, and Adam left her to it, not sure of what exactly he could say to comfort her at the moment.

  How could he console someone who knew the person responsible for her trouble would be free to do it again in no time at all? It wasn’t as if he could promise her he wouldn’t let it happen again, though if he had the power to do so, he would.

  As the police went over the house, gathering any evidence they could find, a deputy came out and pulled her to the side. “Ms. Black, we’ve been coming out here for months now, and I’ve got to tell you, you’ve got some enemies you should be very cautious of.” He glanced over at Adam before asking, “Is that your boyfriend?”

  “No.”

  “Friend?”

  “Possibly. Why?”

  “Because you can’t stay here. You need to find somewhere to stay until the repairs are done.” When she paled, the deputy asked, “Have you been inside yet?”

  “No,” she whispered. “I waited for you to come so I didn’t mess up any evidence.”

  “I see, and good thinking. There’s extensive damage. We had to shut off the gas since one of the lines to the stove was open. A few walls are busted up pretty good, and there’s lots of broken things, too, so watch yourself when you enter. Just gather what you need, and find somewhere safe to stay for a while. We’ll board up the windows and lock up as best we can for you.” He sighed. “I’m really sorry this happened, Ms. Eva. We’ll try our hardest to make the charges stick for as long as we can, but he’s getting dangerous.”

  Dangerous? Just what had this guy been doing to her?

  Adam was several yards away, but he heard the conversation as easily as if he’d been standing next to her, and he didn’t like what he was learning.

  “I know, and thank you. I’m glad that at least the police aren’t on his side.” She offered what anyone could see was a forced smile before promising, “I’ll check out the hotel down near the diner.”

  Oh, she wouldn’t be checking into a hotel if he could help it. If this guy was as dangerous as the police seemed to think, she didn’t need to be by herself.

  “I’d rather you stay with someone. You shouldn’t be alone.” The young deputy looked genuinely concerned, and a knot formed in Adam’s stomach. He wondered how long this had been going on.

  “I’ll be fine. I know to be careful.” She was clearly trying to assure the deputy as much as she was herself, but Adam wasn’t fooled and neither was his nose. She was scared, and the scent of her fear angered his wolf.

  “Just remember,” the officer leaned in and whispered, “self-defense is not murder.” With that rather disturbing advice, he turned and walked back to the house, and Adam approached her once more.

  “He’s right, you know.”

  She jumped and stumbled when his comment startled her.

  Adam cursed and caught her by the waist to steady her. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”

  “I should be more aware of my surroundings, especially now. It wasn’t your fault.” Evangeline was exhausted. It figured that when she was finally tired enough to get a few decent hours of sleep, she had no bed to sleep in.

  “You shouldn’t stay at a hotel. You should stay with a person. I know you don’t know me, but I’d like to offer you the spare room in my cabin. You can stay as long as you need to.”

  He was being rather abrupt, and though she was attracted to him, it didn’t change the fact she didn’t know this man at all.

  “I admit I fully intended to ask you out to dinner, despite your warnings, and before you try again, I am not afraid of the men who were harassing you.”

  Eva felt herself blushing again. Damn this fair skin! She couldn’t believe this man was interested in her. Surely, there had to be something wrong with him. Sadly, he and the officer were righ
t. Things with Shane were escalating, and now, there seemed to be the potential for violence toward not just her property but to her, as well. “I appreciate the offer, but I don’t know anything about you other than your name. I’m sorry, but as far as I know, you could be just as crazy as what I’m already dealing with.”

  “I understand completely, and though I can assure you that you’d be perfectly safe with me, I am glad you’re being cautious.”

  He was making her feel guilty now, although she knew it was unintentional. Here was a man who knew nothing about her except that she was obviously on the wrong end of a nasty situation. This was the South and, for the most part, people are very helpful. He seemed to take no offense at her refusal, though it was plain to see it seemed to prick at him.

  Looking up, Eva noticed the sheriff and his men exiting the house. He waved her over then smiled. “Adam! What brings you out here?”

  “Hey, Gus. Well, Ms. Evangeline had a run-in with some drunks at the store, and I wanted to make sure she made it home all right.” The two men shook hands and clapped each other on the back in what Eva referred to as the “man hug”.

  “Well, I’m glad someone is looking out for her.” Gus turned his attention back to Evangeline. “You can go in now. Let me know if you notice anything missing so I can add it to the report.” He sighed and ran his fingers through his graying hair before he continued, “I’m sorry this happened, honey, and you call if you even think there might be trouble. We’ll keep a unit in the area.” Gus shook his head. “I still think you should stay with some friends.”

  “I don’t have any. Shane took care of that. I’ll manage, though, don’t worry.” She knew defeat was clear in her words, but she didn’t have the strength to fight it.

  “I offered to let her crash in my spare room, but she doesn’t know me. I could help if your boys are short on patrols,” Adam offered.

  Was this guy for real? Who offered to guard someone without even knowing them?

  “Nah, we’ve got plenty of manpower. It’s just catching the little bastards. We’ve got prints, but they’re small and probably hers. Most likely, they wore gloves. Only the things done in public have stuck, and that’s only due to the witnesses.” He leaned in and whispered, though Eva still heard, “They’re going to hurt her, I can feel it. She’s alone, Adam. He’s isolated her from everyone in town.”

  “Not me,” he replied. His tone sounded cold, and if she wasn’t mistaken, there was a good bit of anger there, as well. For her? “I’d love to see these boys come to my home and try this mess.”

  Gus threw back his head and laughed. “So would I. Those dogs of yours would tear them up real good.”

  “Not at first. They’d merely keep them contained until I came home.” Adam chuckled when Evangeline gave him a curious look. “I have two wolves. I found them as pups a few years ago and raised them myself. They’re tame but extremely protective,” he explained.

  Wolves?

  “Adam here is the best damn dog trainer in three states. I’m not sure how he does it, but I’ve seen him bring a pit bull in full-out bloodlust to heel.”

  “He was just hurt and defensive,” Adam countered.

  “He damn near took Pete’s throat out! But Adam here walked right up and stared his ass down.” Gus was a real character once you got him talking on a subject off the case, and Eva was glad to see a more relaxed version of him as opposed to the straight-laced officer she was usually met with. “You should consider taking him up on his offer, Evangeline. I can vouch that he’s a real stand-up guy, and I can assure you nobody will get to you at his place, either. He’s got top-notch security and his wolves. You’d be safer there than anywhere else I can think of.”

  Eva worried her lower lip with her teeth, her stomach feeling as if it were full of hummingbirds instead of butterflies. Her own personal wet-dream come to life wanted to bring her into his home and protect her from the bad guys? It was just like one of her novels! Every woman’s fantasy and she had the chance to experience it.

  “Let me think about it. I’m still trying to get a handle on everything that’s happened tonight.” She was confused, afraid and fairly sure the sickening feeling she had in regard to the state of her home was only about get worse. “You said I could go inside?”

  “Yes. We’ll be back in about thirty minutes or so to board up the house. Will that give you enough time?” Gus asked. “There are still two deputies going around your backyard, looking for any evidence, so don’t be spooked if you see them.”

  “Okay. That will probably give me enough time. I’ll just grab some clothes and a few other things and come back tomorrow for the rest.” Eva accepted his card and promised to call before she headed over, so he could be there the next day.

  “I’ll stay until you come back,” Adam announced.

  For some reason, she felt a little calmer knowing he’d be around. He was so large and intimidating Eva felt safer having him on her side. At least, someone outside of the police department was.

  “Come on, let’s get your things. I’ll help you pack some stuff up.”

  Eva only nodded and made her way to the door…or what was left of it. The frame was splintered where the deadbolt had been in place, showing that they’d probably kicked it in. The foyer had deep gouges in the walls where something had been dragged across them. Knickknacks from the curio were shattered and scattered over the wood floors. The living room was in such a state she just closed her eyes, turned and headed to the kitchen. Not that it was any better in there. The stove had been ripped away from the wall and toppled into the middle of the floor, which explained the gas leak.

  It looked as if every dish she owned was lying, broken on the counters and floor, including her grandmother’s china. Evangeline caught her breath on a sob as she picked up a piece of a beautiful, antique china plate.

  “Fucking bastards!” she croaked. She’d lost yet another piece of her past. Those dishes had been in her family since the late 1800s.

  Suddenly, she had a horrible thought that left her chilled to the bone.

  “No!” Eva leapt to her feet and ran past a startled Adam and up the hall. Sure enough, her room hadn’t escaped the massacre. Evangeline’s clothes lay shredded and scattered all over the place. The dresser and mirror that had been against the wall were tipped over and broken too, but what brought her to her knees in a wailing heap were the remains of her photographs. All of her pictures, albums, scrapbooks and home videos were in a pile and had been shredded beyond repair.

  Everything.

  She was now officially alone in the world now, with only her memories of a happier life, one where she had a loving family and friends.

  Evangeline clutched handfuls of the remains, crying so hard she had hiccups escaping between gut-wrenching sobs. “He’s destroyed everything. There’s nothing left but the house, and he’ll burn it to the ground for sure.”

  “Eva, I’m so, so sorry. I can’t imagine what you must be feeling.”

  “This was all I had left. My parents are dead; my grandma, as well. My whole family is gone. He knows that, and he’s destroyed all that I had left of them.”

  Chapter Three

  Evangeline was breaking his heart. All that wild red hair now fell around a splotched, tear-streaked face, and he didn’t have a clue as to how she’d survived this long while being so alone. His family was always around, and Adam vowed that he would never again complain about that.

  The urge to comfort and reassure her was stronger than he’d expected. He wasn’t a cold man, but he’d never been a terribly emotional one either. Yet, this one tiny female had him blinking away tears that he hadn’t been aware of forming. There was an intense ache in the center of his chest, and his inner wolf howled in reply to her grief, for it had reached even there.

  He gathered her to his chest and wrapped his arms around her tiny body as she mourned her loss. Adam laid a gentle kiss to the top of her hair and inhaled her scent. Vanilla assailed his senses, an
d he had the intense feeling she belonged to him. That thought sent a surge of hope through him at a highly inappropriate time. Even as she dealt with the loss of her cherished belongings, he was filled with an immense joy at the possibility he’d found his mate.

  “I’ve got you. Just let it all out, honey.”

  When she snuffled and relaxed against him, he began to rub her back in soothing circles while he looked around the room for anything they could take with them. Unfortunately, that was nothing. Everything had been destroyed. Clothes, furniture and pretty much anything else that had been seen as value had been shredded or broken beyond repair and would have to be replaced.

  Adam heard the return of the officers and decided she no longer had the privilege of deciding where she would stay. He was determined to undertake the task of ridding her of these men once and for all.

  When Gus entered the room, Adam noted the look of sympathy and worry on the man’s face. “I need you to do me a favor, Gus.”

  “Sure.”

  “Follow me in her car. I’m going to bring her to my cabin, and we’ll park her car in the shed, so it won’t be seen by anyone.”

  Gus was quick to understand the need to hide away her vehicle and simply reached his hand out for the keys. “That’s a good idea. They wouldn’t hesitate to total her only means of transportation and leave her stranded somewhere.” Gus winced when Evangeline stiffened in Adam’s embrace. “I’m sorry to say that, but you know it would probably be the next thing they tried if given the chance.”

  She offered a barely discernible nod as her response, and Adam could tell she was exhausted. Her strength wouldn’t hold out much longer at this rate.

  “Were you able to get anything packed?” Gus asked as he glanced around the room.

  “No. They seem to have destroyed everything, but I’ll make sure that she gets what she needs, so don’t worry about that. I’ve got three sisters-in-law, and I’m sure they will jump at the chance to help out with that, as well.” Eva let out another sob, and Adam mentally kicked himself in the ass for mentioning family after the loss she’d just suffered. “Let’s go. I want to get her settled so that she can rest.”