Page 37 of Broken Moon

“Give me his name.”

I looked at him. “I handled it,but thanks, Rick. He’s leaving town tonight.”

We stood at his front door fora minute, looking at each other, and I thought he might argue. Finally, though,he just opened the door and gestured for me to go inside. I looked back when Irealized the dog wasn’t with me. He lay on the ground, his chin on his paws.

Rick chuckled and crouched downbeside him, then gave his ears a good scratching. The poor dog tensedimmediately and looked away from the detective, worry in his face.

“He’s afraid of men,” I said.“I don’t think he’s been touched with kindness his entire life.” I’d unbuckledand tossed his wide collar after I’d left Trevor’s house, and at first, hehadn’t even known what to do. But he trusted me.

Moreno stood and came inside,then called the dog. “You can come in, buddy.”

He didn’t move.

“Come on, Pibble,” I saidgently. “Come on.” He sprang up then and hurried through the doorway, his perfectPit Bull smile firmly in place.

When we turned around, thedetective’s wife and the mayor stood side by side, watching us. Mayor Hedrick’seyes widened when he caught sight of my face, and Beth put her fingers to herlips, then her chest.

“I apologize for coming intoyour house looking like this,” I told her. “I would have gone home to clean up,but I was already running late…” I gave the mayor a nod. “Hello, MayorHedrick.”

“Kaitlyn,” he said, his voicesoft. “It’s Louis. Please tell me what happened to you.”

“Kaitlyn is often covered withblood and bruises, I’m afraid,” the detective interjected, much to my relief. Ididn’t want to explain the story of Trevor Short again. “She helps take out thebad guys, and sometimes they fight back.” He led me to Beth. “I don’t think youtwo have met.”

I wiped my palm on my jeansthen held it out. “Beth,” I said. “I’m Kait.”

She took my hand with both ofhers. “I’ve heard so much about you, Kait,” she said. She was a small womanwith delicate features, short red hair, and warm blue eyes. “Come with me.” Shecontinued to hold my hand as she led me away. “Rick, Mayor, you can have yourtalk when she’s cleaned up, yes?”

“Absolutely,” the mayor said.“Take your time.”

But first…

I looked at the mayor. “How isNoah?”

Tears jumped immediately intohis eyes and his Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard. “He is alive,Kaitlyn. He’s going to be fine. He is safe, thanks to you. And that’s why I’mhere.” Then he gestured. “Go with Beth and get cleaned up. We’ll talk whenyou’re ready.”

The dog stayed firmly glued tomy legs as we walked through the house, afraid, I was sure, that I’d make himstay behind. It was going to take him a while to understand what life off achain was like.

“What a sweet baby,” Beth said.She pointed at a bathroom off the hallway. “Towels and everything you’ll needin the closet. Meanwhile, I’ll get some refreshments ready. Would you like somecoffee or tea? Cake and sandwiches?”

“Water would be fine,” I said,squeezing her hand. “And I will never turn down sugar.” My stomach chose thatmoment to growl.

She laughed, then turned towalk away. “I’ll get your baby a bowl of water and something good to eat, aswell. Come into the living room when you’re ready.”

I shut the bathroom door, smiling.The detective’s wife was super nice and incredibly hospitable. I peeled off myruined shirt and my bra, both of which were stained with blood, then washedwith hot water and fragrant soap before drying off and pulling on a clean shirtfrom my bag. I chatted to the dog while I cleaned up, though he stretched outon the floor and went immediately to sleep.

I took the tiny makeup casefrom my bag, then dabbed concealer on my bruised cheekbone. Other than thebruise and my slightly swollen nose, I looked okay. One of the perks of being awolf—we healed fast. If my wolf had been free, what Trevor had done to me wouldhave healed before I left his house.

Soon.

Finally, presentable and clean,I rejoined the three people waiting for me. When I entered the living room,both the mayor and the detective stood. I sat down on a comfortable armchair,and after gobbling down the food and drinking from the bowl placed there forhim, the dog curled up at my feet and went back to sleep. He was going to needa lot of sleep.

“You’re both welcome to stayfor dinner,” Beth said to the mayor and me. “It’ll be ready in half an hour.”She gestured at the coffee table, upon which she’d placed a pitcher of ice water,a glass, and a plate of fat, soft cookies.

I downed a glass of water, thengrabbed a napkin and loaded it up with cookies. “So good,” I told her, tryingnot to be a total pig.

Mayor Hedrick slid forward inhis chair and got a look on his face that said he was ready to talk. “Ms.Silver,” he said.

“Kaitlyn.”