Shifters Storm by Tia Didmon
Chapter 3
Nick sat on a barstool at one of the long countertops with deep sinks. They’d filled the cabinets with various equipment. Bunsen burners, beakers, cylinders, and test tubes. The science lab at the zoo was set up to teach a classroom of children, but it was being used to enlist sponsors for the zoo. After his recovery, he had learned Evie was holding a fundraiser at the zoo.
His curvy mate stood behind a desk at the front of the room as she explained the challenges of breeding large cats in a contained environment. She was diligent and eloquent as she explained the costs of maintaining the animals housed at the zoo, as well as the need for advanced medical techniques.
It had been a week since he saw her last. The serum in his blood had forced him to run between Florence and Mt. Adams to return to the lair. His family had been in panic mode when they realized he couldn’t shift. Racheal and Lana had gotten to work, taking his blood and creating an antidote to the toxins in his blood.
He’d laid on the couch in the lab for two days as the women worked frantically. Garrett had sat by his side soothing his cat and running interference when Talen second-guessed himself for sending Nick to Florence.
While his family was in an uproar, his mind remained focused on the woman at the zoo. He’d been cordial and attentive while stuck with four legs, but the battle to keep his cat away from the woman doing the demonstration had been brutal. Only Garrett had noticed his internal struggle. His best friend, more in tune with him than his own brothers.
As usual, the women had come through for him. The antidote had worked in minutes and Garrett had a blanket over him as he shifted to his human form. Relief was overwhelming, but the instinct to return to the woman with the sultry voice was overpowering.
He relayed the events of his incursion at the Florence Kallan Facility and his short incarceration at the zoo, as well as the information he gained there. He never mentioned Evie, the sexy vet with the soothing voice. He wasn’t sure if he had imagined his cat’s attraction to her. With two sedatives in his system, his cat’s claim that Evie was its mate was unreliable. He wouldn’t be sure until he touched her in human form. Talked to her.
It had taken a couple of days for his family to get over the shock of his ordeal, but when they started calling him the inmate, referring to his time at the zoo, he knew he was going back. As he watched Evie’s blond ponytail brush against her shoulders when she wrote on the whiteboard, the primal instinct to claim her resurfaced.
Despite his cat’s needs, Nick had always been a strategist. He’d learned from the best. Cade and Garrett were masters at infiltration techniques. Talen had always kept Nick on the sidelines, needing to protect his youngest brother, but Garrett had known the truth. They had formed a bond as children, protected one another when society wouldn’t.
He put his plan into motion before he approached her. Regardless of whether she was his mate or accepted him, she was working for a monster, and he doubted she had any idea. Her description of the zoo and the work they did were sincere. She believed she was helping the animals. It wasn’t the cages or pen enclosures that bothered Nick. Many of the animals housed at the zoo wouldn’t survive in the wild. They were old or injured which made them perfect candidates to help acquire zoo funding. He had no doubts Evie would’ve kept him, though. A cougar in a cage with a female named Lotte. He bit back the disappointment.
Nick had investigated her and found her mother had been an animal rights activist in Europe who’d relocated to the US before Evie was born. He prayed Dora Blake’s daughter retained her mother’s principles.
Evie concluded her presentation and began shaking hands with the other men and women at the science lab. Nick waited to ensure he was last in line. He held his hand out as he approached her. “Hello, Evie. It’s a sincere pleasure to meet you.”
Her hand slipped into his. Her iridescent blue eyes widened when they touched. She felt the connection, but she wouldn’t understand it, and she sure as hell wouldn’t react to it.
Nick reluctantly dropped her hand as his eyes traced the freckles that dusted her cheeks. She nibbled a perfect pink lip, causing his entire body to harden. If he hadn’t been in a public place, he would’ve kissed her. The urge to scoop her up and run to the forest was unfathomable.
It was several seconds before he realized she hadn’t said a word. “Are you okay, Miss Blake?”
She ran a hand over her neck. “I’m sorry. Yes, I’m fine. What was your name again?”
He smiled. “Nicholas Cascade, but my friends call me Nick.”
She nodded. “What can I do for you, Mr. Cascade?”
He cleared his throat. “I’m looking for a veterinarian for a new clinic.”
She looked around the room. “Obviously, I have a job. Why did you come to see me? Where did you get my information?”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “I got your name from the registry at the University. I was looking for a partner. Someone who’d like to start small and grow with my company.” He winked. “I’ve known Mrs. Deighton for a couple of years. She recommended you and told me where you are working. She said you hadn’t been here long so I’m hoping I have a chance of stealing you away.”
Evie smiled. “Mrs. Deighton is sweet. It was kind of her to think of me. I’ve kept in touch with her since my graduation. She knows this isn’t... my ideal, but I believe in the work we are doing.”
Nick’s eyes narrowed. “Why would she think this isn’t your ideal job?”
Evie pursed her lips. “Mrs. Deighton hates my boss. I’m not sure why, but I can understand her referring you.”
He had the urge to say it was because Kevin was a backstabbing prick terrorist, but decided that response wouldn’t endear him to his future mate. “Will you take a look at my proposed facility? It’s just an office right now, but as someone who recently graduated with all the current medical advancements, I would value your opinion.”
Her eyes twinkled, but there was a milky quality that concerned his cat. “Where is it located?”
He glanced towards the door. “It’s only a few blocks away. We could walk if you like.”
She put the papers from her desk into the black leather portfolio. “I was just about to take my lunch break. If you buy me a veggie dog from the vendor by the zoo entrance, you have a deal.”
Nick held out his arm, waiting patiently before she took it. They exited the building at the edge of the zoo grounds before strolling along the walkways that led to the entrance.
“So, what’s your favorite animal? You have quite an eclectic array at the zoo.”
She laughed. “I love them all, but this week I’m going to have to go with a cougar.” She regaled him with a story of a stray cougar on zoo property.
He enjoyed the laughter in her voice, but his eyes remained glued to the men trailing them. Both wore black khakis and dark aviator glasses. They attempted to blend with the crowds strolling the walkways between the animal enclosures, but their gait and attire screamed military. The fluid gait in which they navigated the hundreds of pedestrians was cat-like and precise. Evie had bodyguards, and they were enhanced.
Nick led Evie along the busiest side streets after they left the zoo. Pedestrians walking between stores carrying packages or cups of coffee made for the perfect cover. He stopped at the door that led to the office he had rented. He pushed on the door, knowing it wouldn’t budge. “I’m sorry, Evie. I don’t have the key. The real estate agent promised to unlock it for me, but I guess he hasn’t made it over here yet.”
Her brow furrowed as her disappointment showed. “Oh well, at least I got lunch. I should head back.”
Nick turned her toward the zoo. “How did you become a vet?”
“I love animals,” she said in a clipped tone.
“Mrs. Deighton said you have a way with them. She has been teaching thirty years, and she says she’s seen nothing like it.”
Evie shrugged. “I’ve always had a way with animals. They listen to me. I can’t explain it.”
“When did you first notice this gift?”
She looked up at the sky as a lone cloud drifted over the street. “I was ten when I heard the shouting. A dog had attacked the boy next door. I ran out and started talking to the dog. It was growling and had blood on its canines, but I wasn’t afraid. The more I talked, the quieter it became. By the time my mom returned from work, the dog was sitting on the porch with his head on my lap.”
“That’s quite a story. Did you find out why the dog attacked the boy?”
“Derek was a mean kid. He bullied everyone at school. The stray dog wasn’t about to put up with his bullshit. He threw a can of peas at the dog. It didn’t appreciate being hit in the head.”
“What happened to the dog?”
She shook her head. “It was euthanized. That’s when I decided to be a voice for those who didn’t have one. That dog reacted to an attack; it didn’t instigate it.”
He slipped his hand around her waist because he needed the contact. “Will you have dinner with me? You can review my proposal. I think you’re perfect. I’d like to put something together you can’t say no to.” He glanced at the door. “I’ll get the key and we will check the clinic out after dinner.” He also planned to find out why Kallan was watching her.
She nibbled her lip, sending his body into overdrive. “I guess we could have a quick bite.”
His cat flashed images in his mind. It agreed with the biting, but there would be nothing quick about it.
