was harming shifters in the Blackstone Mountains, there would be hell to pay. The burning, dragon type. The Lennoxes would not take such an insult lying down.
“I’ll definitely look into this, Tim,” Damon promised. “You have my word.”
“I appreciate it, Chief.” Grimes pushed his chair away and got up. “If you don’t mind, I should get back to work. Can I get you anything else?”
“I’m good,” Damon said.
Krieger shook his head.
Grimes nodded, then turned and walked away.
“This could be serious stuff,” Damon said when they were alone.
“Or nothing at all.”
“True. It could be nothing, and I don’t want to cause a panic or bother the big boss with this.”
The big boss was, of course, Matthew Lennox, the biggest and baddest dragon and Alpha in town.
“What does your gut say, Chief?”
“I’m not sure … it could be …” He took a swig of the beer.
The hesitation in Damon’s eyes was obvious, and Krieger once again reminded himself that change couldn’t happen in an instant. It wasn’t a wonder that Damon had risen up quickly in the Special Forces. His instincts and relentlessness had been a force to be reckoned with. But that last mission that had put them both in a similar state had obviously wrecked the former commander’s confidence when making calls.
“How about I keep an eye out for anything strange going up there?”
“I think that would be the smart move,” Damon said. “I know I can trust you, Krieger.”
He grunted. “I’ll try not to let you down.”
Damon forced a laugh. “Again, it could be nothing, and Oscar’ll show up back in town.”
“Hope so.” He finished his beer.
“Well, I should get going.” Damon checked his watch. “Anna Victoria’s finishing up her last class, and we’re gonna get dinner on Main Street. Want to join us?”
Krieger’s body tensed at the mention of the female. “Nah. Wouldn’t want to horn in on your date.”
“Not at all. In fact, Anna Victoria’s been asking when she’s going to get to see you again.” There was a light in Damon’s eyes whenever he said his mate’s name. “She thinks you clean up nice in that tux.”
He stifled the urge to wince. Attending the Blackstone Ranger anniversary party had been one of the most difficult things he had to do, but he got through it. He didn’t stay very long and he had been cocooned in the safety of the company of the four men he trusted most, but he made it. And it brought him so much closer to what he wanted.
“Another time, maybe.” He was happy for his former commander that he’d found the other half of his soul and had seen the changes it had made for him. And it was Damon finding his mate that had started this whole thing in the first place.
Damon stood up. “All right, don’t be a stranger now.”
“I’ll head out with you.”
The two men walked toward the main room. Thankfully, there weren’t too many patrons. However, Krieger immediately noticed Damon tense. “What—oh.”
Sitting by himself at the bar, hunched over a glass, was Anders Stevens.
“What the fuck is he doing here?” The Demon growled from deep within. “That asshole’s supposed to be at work. I’m gonna tear him—”
“Hold on, Chief.” Krieger placed a hand on the other man’s shoulder.
“But—”
“You said it yourself, he’s one of the best guys you have,” Krieger reminded him.
“Yeah, except he’s had his head up his ass this entire week. Can’t do a damn thing right.”
“Why don’t you let me take care of this one? Anna Victoria wouldn’t want you to be late.”
Conflict flashed across Damon’s face as the part of him that was chief of the Blackstone Rangers and his mated bear fought with each other. But Krieger already knew which part would win out. “Are you sure about him? What you told me?”
“Sure as day.” Ever since he started going to The Den a few months ago, Krieger never missed a chance to observe Blackstone’s resident “player” in action. Or lack of action.
While most people thought Anders Stevens was a playboy who took a different girl to bed every night, Krieger knew better. The man was a savior—and all those tipsy girls he took “home” had been safely delivered, unmolested, back to their respective residences. When he reported back to Damon what he’d found out, he’d been shocked to say the least.
“Tell him to get his ass to work,” Damon ordered. “I’ll come by your cabin on Friday.” Damon made sure to come up and visit at least every other week.
“Sure thing,