Walker (Bowen Boys, #1)(26)



“And Reed, what does he think about all this? Is he siding with his brother? Or hasn’t he made up his mind yet?”

“Can’t find him. He said he was going to get answers and he left here before I could talk to Khan. I guess he heard the argument at the house and confronted Khan after you left. I’m not sure what happened, but Khan is nursing a bloodied lip and Reed was limping. But if the dining room is any indication, I would say that they had a few words and they aren’t in agreement.”

George threw back his head and laughed. Reed was the baby, but he had learned to fight dirty. Having five older brothers had given him that much. Plus, the boy just didn’t know when to give up. He handed the phone to his mother when she asked.

“Yes, dear. Your father and I would like to be kept in the loop.” She paused for several minutes. “Oh, I like that idea. Yes, I do. Let us know what we can do to help.”

She closed the phone and handed it back to him. Before he could ask what was going on, the phone rang again. This time, the number was unknown.

“Will you please tell your moronic son that I don’t care if he’s Godzilla himself, he is not strong enough to go with me when I hunt the f*cktard down that made me blow up my own f*cking house? I swear to Christ, he’s more stubborn than I am.”

George started to laugh, but held off. The woman was pissed enough as it was. “I’m assuming this is Caitlynne McCray, or is it Bowen now?”

“It’s McCray, thanks. Why would you…I see, it’s one of those panther things. Once you f*ck someone then every other panther knows. Do I have to be careful of the zoo now?”

George laughed, unable to help himself. “No, the zoo should be fine for you. I’d avoid the wolf cages, as well as the smaller animal cages, though. They can smell him on you and you know all about cats and dogs.”

“Right. You really don’t think I visit the zoo, do you?” She took a deep breath. “I sort of accidentally knocked him out. Do you know how long he’ll be down? I have to get going.”

Her scream had him jerking the phone from his ear. He assumed that Walker was awake now. They were fighting and he wished he was there to cheer the girl on. When he heard someone cry out, this time he was sure it was Walker. Damn, but that girl was going to do just fine. Suddenly, she was back on the phone.

“I swear to Christ…come here and get him. I can’t…what the hell is wrong with him anyway? Doesn’t he get that I’m going to get him killed?”

George thought maybe he didn’t. He asked her where she was and when she told him, he told her he’d be there soon. He looked at his mate and asked her what to do now. He handed her the phone when she reached for it.

“Hello, Khan. This is your mother. I need to borrow the SUV, please. And I want you to stay out of my way when I come to get it.” She paused. “I don’t want you to come with me. I’m quite capable of going to pick up Walker all—no. I forbid you to…suit yourself then.”

He stared at her for several seconds. “Why you sly devil you. You did that on purpose. You knew he’d come with…what’s he going to do when we get there and Lynne is still with him?”

“He said she couldn’t come on the property. He didn’t say anything about him going to where she is.” She stood up. “Come on, and try to act a little more fragile, please. We want him to have to help with Walker, don’t we?”





Chapter Nine


Walker glared at her again. The nerve of her… “I want you to uncuff me right this minute. I will not be sitting here like this when my father shows up.”

She ignored him as she’d done for the past hour. He watched her as she packed up her bags. She’d checked every gun in her bag and then refolded her underwear twice. He knew she was trying to piss him off and he was really going to beat her ass when he got loose.

“You can sit there for five more minutes. Your mother, a very nice woman, by the way, said they’d be here soon.” She sat on the bed in front of him. “You know this is for the best, Walker. We can’t be seen together or he’ll go after you.”

He wanted to roar at her, but didn’t. The car pulling up out front made him think his dad had borrowed the bigger van to bring him home. He jerked at the handcuffs again. The knock at the door had him glaring at Caitlynne again when she opened it up.

Khan stood there for several seconds just looking around the room. Caitlynne stepped back and still he didn’t move. Walker looked around the room, seeing it for the first time.

The bed was broken; the mattress was tossed off its frame. The pictures were hanging crookedly and there were parts of broken frames everywhere. He could see the shower curtain was torn off most of its hooks and the toilet seat was broken. He looked at his mom when she laughed.

“Good sex, or did she have trouble convincing you that you aren’t going with her?”

Walker flushed and his dad walked in the room with a whistle.

“Both. Hello, Mrs. Bowen. Thanks for coming and getting him. He’s a bit—”

“You did this to her?” Khan thundered toward him when suddenly Caitlynne was in front of him. “Get out of my way, human. I’ve no—”

Khan ended up on the floor on his back and Caitlynne held a gun to his head. “Move and I’ll shoot you. I’m f*cking sick and tired of you treating me like I’m some piece of slime you had on your shoe.”

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