Promises Unbroken: A Hot Paranormal Shifter Romance (Hidden Hills Shifter Book 5) (2 page)

He’d asked her out, to prove that resistance was futile, but both times he suggested they go out for a drink, she’d turned him down, saying she didn’t date coworkers.

Bullshit.

If he thought that was the real reason, he would have quit the Force. He didn’t need the money. Jackson only worked for the fulfillment and satisfaction of helping people.

At least now with being her partner, not only could he make certain she remained safe, but it would be a way to show her they were meant to be together. However, if the last three months were any indication, forging a lasting bond with her would be an uphill battle.

“Hey, buddy, slacking already?” His friend Cord stepped into the break room then poured himself a cup of coffee from the machine.

“I’m waiting for Selena.”

Cord’s brows rose. “That so?”

Jackson had already told his friend about them being mates. “The Chief is giving her a pep talk about playing nice. At least, that’s my guess.” He filled Cord in on his assignment.

His friend chuckled. “Good luck with her being lead.”

Having recently found his mate, Cord would understand how being around her would affect him. “Why do you say that? I thought you liked Selena.”

“Oh, I like her just fine, but she’s had a hard life, and I don’t see her accepting you right away.”

Damn. His father told him that when he and Jackson’s mom met, they’d instantly embraced each other as mates. “Because we’re different breeds of shifters?”

“I doubt that’s it. I haven’t spent all that much time with her, but she’s always been nice to me and we’re different.”

Great
. “Do know why she’s so skittish when I’m around? I always thought mates embraced each other.” He really needed to understand what he was up against.

“I can take a guess. Storm, her Alpha, filled me in somewhat before our little sting operation.”

Jackson sipped his coffee and snatched a bag of chips someone had left on the table. “Care to share?”

Cord looked behind him, pulled out the chair at the table, and sat down. “Keep an eye on the door. Selena wouldn’t appreciate having her life’s story divulged, but since you’re her mate, you should be aware of where she’s coming from.”

“I’d appreciate any info.”

Cord glanced once more to the door. “The short of it is that her mom fell in love with some playboy wolf-shifter who wasn’t her mate. They diddled around for a while and eventually she became pregnant with Selena. Apparently, the dad stayed for a year or so, then took off saying he was no longer in love with the mom and wanted nothing to do with a kid who wasn’t a wolf.”

“No wonder she’s pissy around men.” Her trust meter probably hovered around zero.

“That’s not all. Shortly after Selena was born, the dad was driving the mom somewhere and they wrecked. Messed up the mom’s leg really badly. Since then, she’s had a hard time holding down a job.”

Jackson hissed in a breath. “Can her leg be fixed?”

“It can, but it costs a lot of money, which neither of them has.”

Before he could learn more, the door opened. Selena made eye contact briefly then stiffened. “Jackson, let’s go.” Selena acted in charge but sounded none too happy about it.

He worked to keep a straight face. Jackson nodded to Cord, tossed his coffee in the trash, and strode toward her. “Everything go okay?”

She shrugged. “Yup. You heard the boss. I’m in charge.”

“Sure thing.” For a split second, he was tempted to remind her that he wasn’t some rookie, that he had a ton of experience with robberies, drug deals gone bad, and a host of other shit, but he kept quiet. He didn’t need to upset her anymore than she already was.

Growing up without a father figure had to have been hard. If her mother hadn’t been able to support them very well, Selena would have had to work for everything. What he liked about her was that she didn’t seem to feel sorry for herself, though she could use an attitude adjustment toward men.

“I’ll drive,” she announced.

“Fine.” As they made there way to where she’d parked her cruiser, she didn’t say a word, clearly trying to come to grips with him being there. “I won’t get in your way, if that’s what’s worrying you.”

She looked over at him, but there wasn’t any love radiating from those eyes. “Like when you charged in to save me from a
human
?”

“Ouch. I apologized for that already. When I saw that ass kick you, I didn’t think. I just rushed in.” She had to realize that as mates, he was bred to react that way.

“Just don’t let it happen again.”

He refrained from laughing. Cord had said Selena could handle herself in a fight, but he bet she didn’t weigh more than a hundred pounds when in her animal form. Regardless of her skill level, guns could kill.

He slipped into the passenger seat and buckled up. “Did the boss tell you anything about the robbery?”

“Some. Apparently, two men in masks came into the liquor store the moment it emptied out. It’s highly unusual to find Kraft’s Liquor vacant at 10:30 on a Saturday night, so they probably were outside waiting for their window of opportunity.”

“What did they take?”

“Money and some booze.”

“Was anyone harmed?”

“No, though one of the men had a gun.”

“That wasn’t very bright. It would have been smarter to break-in after hours and steal the cash, assuming the owner left some in the drawer. That way, they wouldn’t be charged with armed robbery once they’re caught.”

She turned down Crescent Street. “That’s the thing. Everyone knows George Kraft drops off the money at the bank around three every morning. He brings backup with him, too. These robbers probably knew that, implying they’re locals. If I planned to rob the store, I’d try to take it from him as he’s leaving for the night and before he meets with his bodyguards.”

Jackson smiled. “Good thing you’re not a thief.”

She narrowed her eyes, but then a small smile lifted her lips. What a pretty sight that was. A minute later, Selena arrived at the store. She parked next to a cruiser, killed the engine, and jumped out.

Not wanting to upset this fairly normal working relationship, Jackson followed her inside where flashing colored lights illuminated the entire interior. The crime scene unit was dusting for prints, but Jackson thought it best not to mention it was a waste of time.

Selena strode up to a man who was speaking with a fellow officer. “Thanks, Chris.” The officer nodded and stepped over to the CSU techs. Selena turned to the older gentleman and placed a hand on his arm. “George, I’m very sorry this happened.”

“Me, too, Selena.”

She introduced him to George Kraft, the owner, and then explained the two of them would be handling his case. This was her first time taking the lead, and Jackson was curious how she’d handle the questions. To his delight she delved right in, asking the owner to go over the series of events. “Can you describe the men?”

“As I told the other officer,” Mr. Kraft said. “They wore masks.”

“Did they say anything?” she asked.

“Told me to hand over the money, which I did, but not before I pressed the emergency button to notify you all. Before the first patrol car showed up, though, those two hightailed it out of here.”

When she glanced over at Jackson, her brows rose. He’d been taking notes without her asking. Thankfully, she appeared pleased.

“What kind of car were they driving?” she asked.

“They were on scooters.”

Jackson would have to give them some credit. Scooters were more mobile.

“Could you tell by their voices how old they were?” she asked.

Good girl. That was the next question he would have asked.

“Sounded kind of young to me. At most, early twenties. Neither had much muscle on him.”

Jackson made note of that. All the facts so far seemed to be consistent with the thieves being kids or guys in their early twenties.

“I know you have surveillance cameras, but were they on?” she asked.

“Sure were.” The owner stepped to the counter behind him, picked up a flash drive, and handed it to her. “Made you a copy of the video, but as I said, they wore masks.”

She nodded then slipped the information into her top pocket. “This might help. How much money did they take?”

The man’s face paled. “Over two hundred dollars. Thankfully, most folks pay by credit card nowadays.”

Selena looked over at Jackson. “Anything else you want to add?”

He was pleased she’d asked. “I think you’ve covered it.”

He swore a hint of a smile lifted her lips. “If you remember anything else,” she said to the owner, “give me a call. We’ll be in touch when we know more.”

Ms. Professional turned and strode out. He enjoyed how her curly ponytail bounced when she walked. And those hips and long legs made his mouth water. Jackson caught up to her as she reached the front door and held it open. He wondered if she planned to look at the video tonight or if he could convince her to stop at the Cove Bar for a drink. They were officially off duty at midnight, and it was past that now.

“Care to celebrate our partnership with a drink?” He tried to keep his voice as light as possible. He didn’t care that she’d turned him down before—they were partners now—in more ways than one.

She glanced at him as she climbed into the cruiser. “I… ah…”

Chapter Two

S
elena had been
hesitant to accept Jackson’s invitation, just as she had so many times before, but she couldn’t keep putting off this unspoken desire any longer. Letting him know that she had no intention of becoming his mate was the only solution. “Sure.”

“Great.” A grin flashed across his face, but she refused to address what that did to her insides.

She hoped this wasn’t a mistake, but her urges had been growing exponentially stronger from the moment he slipped into the cruiser this evening. In all honesty, she expected him to take over the investigation, but instead, Jackson jotted down notes and let her feel her way through the questioning. She had to admit it was good to be given such respect.

After she drove back to the station to drop off the cruiser and log the flash drive into evidence, she followed him to the Cove Bar in her personal vehicle. All during the mile trip, she was tempted to drive on by, but that wouldn’t solve anything. No, tonight was about clearing the air.

Jackson parked first, jogged over to her car then opened her door before she had the chance to do it herself. “Thank you,” she said.

With her purse slung over her shoulder, they walked side by side toward the entrance. Thankfully, he kept a few feet between them, but even with the space, he radiated sex.

I should just jump his bones and get it over with.

No, she couldn’t and wouldn’t. Disaster would follow.

Once inside, she glanced around, hoping none of her friends were near. This town was full of gossips, but if anyone questioned her, she’d say the two of them had a long night of fighting crime and were blowing off some steam. Stating he was her
partner in training
should quell any wagging tongues.

Bumping into her friends, however, wasn’t her biggest threat—keeping her hands off him was her main concern. For months she’d wanted to run her palms over his handsome face and then up and down his chest, if only to enjoy his bulging muscles. Too often, her cheetah side would dream about what was under that plain brown uniform, and her arousal would wake her. Damn man was causing too many unfulfilled nights.

That’s why I’m here—to put a stop to all this.

She inhaled to gain some control, but the moment Jackson placed a hand on her back, instant lust bloomed. She had to find a solution quickly to her unwanted reaction or she might do something stupid.

He led them to the bar and faced her. “What do you want to drink?”

If she didn’t need to keep her wits about her, she might have asked for a double Jack Daniels. “A Coke is fine.”

He nodded and ordered one for her and a beer for himself. She didn’t worry about him drinking a glass or two then driving since a shifter’s metabolism was much faster than any human’s.

Once the bartender delivered the two drinks, Jackson paid and led them over to a table along the far wall. That suited her fine, as she didn’t need anyone listening in on their delicate conversation. Then again, with the fairly loud music, she doubted even the table next to them would be able to eavesdrop.