None of the calls Id made concerning Coyote had been returned, but Zack called around ten and apologized for not showing up. Hed found a place to stay and also work, but the job had required him to start immediately. Hed come by as soon as he could.
I understand, Adam said. But Id prefer to bring you into the pack as soon as possible for your safety. My wolves wont bother you, but there are other things running around town that might if you dont have pack protection.
Im on call this week, Zack told Adam. I cant afford to turn down hours, nohow. I dont know when I can come out.
Lets dispense with the formal ceremony, then, and do something quicker, Adam said. Where are you staying?
Almost reluctantly, Zack gave the name of a rentbytheweek motel.
Okay, Adam said. My mate and I will be there in about half an hour. Ill call my second. The three of us will make it official. Meeting the pack can wait until you know your schedule.
This could all wait, Zack said.
No, Adam told him. I have no intention of letting you run around my city unprotected. He hung up before Zack could argue further.
Ill keep an eye on everything here, boss, said Warren. You go welcome the new wolf to the fold.
Mary Jo, go home, Adam told her. Youve helped a lot tonight, but you need to get some sleep before you go to work.
She gave Christy a worried look.
I wont chew on her, said Warren ironically. You go on shift tomorrow at five in the morning. Go home, Mary Jo.
Ill see you when you get off work, said Christy, managing to look like she wished Mary Jo would stay while indicating just the opposite with her words. It was quite a feat. We can go get a manicure at that place we like in Richland.
It closed, Mary Jo told her.
Im sure we can find another shop. Auriele will know someplace good.
Mary Jo grinned. She will. Are you sure youll be okay?
Mary Jo, Adam said. Go.
Left with no choice, Mary Jo preceded us out the door. Are you sure shell be safe with just Warren? She looked back over her shoulder.
Dont be ridiculous, said Adam with more patience than Id credited him. Her stalker set her apartment on fire tonight. There arent any direct flights, and its a sixhour drive from Eugene to here. Even if he came directly to murder her in my home, guarded by one of the toughest wolves I know, Juan couldnt get here before I get back.
Adam opened the passenger door of his SUV for me, shut it, and got the driverside door of Mary Jos Jeep for her. She thanked him gravely, when shed have given any other man the rough side of her tongue for his courtesy. Opening a womans door was ingrained in Adam, but he was careful not to do it where one of her coworkers might see it. Apparently firemen, even if they were women, were supposed to be too independent to have doors opened for themand Mary Jo didnt want to get teased about it.
Zacks motel was in east Pasco. The TriCities doesnt have really dangerous neighborhoods, but east Pasco comes close. The motel was one of those old ones with little rooms that opened out onto the parking lot, the kind they dont build anymore because they arent really safe.
The big, shiny black SUV garnered the interest of a group of boys hanging out smoking at the edge of the parking lot. They were in that fourteentosixteen age category when men are old enough to feel the testosterone and too young to have acquired common sense.
Hey, gringo , one of them said. You sure you want to park that there?
Why dont you just leave that chica with us, gringo . Cus we know what to do with bitches like that. She dont need no white meat. Cus everybody knows white meat is bad for you.
Adam, whod rounded the front of the
car, kept walking until he was next to me. Then he turned his face a little up and out, letting the weak yellow illumination of the motels parkinglot lights hit his features full on.
The boys had been advancing in a slow, semimenacing manner, obviously ready to enjoy running off some poor couple in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Wed had some real trouble with gangs in the TriCities a few years back, but, except for the serious drug traffickers, who were too concerned with money and keeping a low profile to be harassing tourists for being in the wrong neighborhood, most of the gang activity had died down.
One of the boys paused, squinted at my husbands face, and came to an abrupt halt. Hey, man, he said in a completely different tone of voice. Hey, man. Its okay, right? We didnt mean nothing by it. Just having some fun. Right, man? We dont want no trouble with you.
The rest of them paused, disconcerted by the aboutface.
Its the werewolf dude, he whispered loudly. From the TV? Dont you idiots watch the news? You dont screw around with him.
The others turned to give Adam a closer look, then they all melted away with fake nonchalance.
They make me feel old, Adam said mournfully once they were gone.
Thats because you are old, I told him without sympathy. Hed enjoyed backing them down. Come on, old man. Lets go bring our new wolf into the fold.