Clint had to give credit to the two of them. Sheriff Webb and Savannah had managed to calm Rudy down enough to start to pull the story from him.
Savannah was both sympathetic and detailed. She pressed Rudy for his story. The first task was to find out where Colt might be. Rudy provided them with three names of people who had disappeared the same time as Colt.
According to the members of the Church, Dan Carter was hiding out in Rolling Hills, Nevada, inside the private residence of a close friend. Rudy believed that was where Colt would be taken. Dan Carter would want see to Colt himself. But Rudy didn’t know the address or the friend’s name.
Sheriff Webb had called in a deputy to check out the lead. Savannah had glanced up at the mirror. Kurt knew she couldn’t see him but had felt that connection when their gazes would have met. She’d sent a smile in his direction then had started back interviewing Rudy.
Rudy was going over the story for the second time when the door opened behind Kurt. Both he and Clint turned as Tony walked in with another man. The resemblance between Tony and the stranger was enough to give away who’d joined them.
Kurt moved forward to first grasp Tony’s hand before reaching out to Tony’s brother.
“You must be Kurt,” Cain greeted. “I’m Tony’s brother, Cain.”
Kurt welcomed him before motioning to Clint. Clint and Cain shook then they all turned towards the mirror.
“We’re getting some good information,” Kurt assured Tony.
Tony looked like he hadn’t slept in days. Kurt’s heart went out to him. He couldn’t imagine what Tony was going through. He looked back at Savannah. If it had been Savannah who had been taken, Kurt would have torn apart the town in search of her. And they were just at the start of their relationship. Tony and Colt had been together for a while.
Cain was gripping Tony’s shoulder as Rudy continued to talk in the interrogation room. Cain met Kurt’s gaze, and Kurt inclined his head to convey that they would reunite Tony and Colt. Cain smiled back in appreciation.
Another twenty minutes had passed when Rudy finished talking. Savannah stood and patted his shoulder. “I’ll get us something to drink.”
As she made her way out of the room, Kurt headed towards his door. They both stepped into the hallway at the same time.
It had been a long two hours she’d been in the conference room with Rudy. The strain showed in her face and stiff shoulders. Kurt reached for her. He pulled her into his arms and held her tight.
“He’s scared,” she said quietly. “He never wanted to be involved in the Church. His dad sent him in against his will.”
“I know,” he assured her. “I heard.” He felt his own sympathy for Rudy. He’d been pushed around and bullied until he’d become what the Church had wanted him to be.
“He’s just a kid,” she said with a sigh. “Just wants his dad to love him.”
Kurt gently pulled back and cupped her chin. “We know that isn’t always possible. But he’s a good guy. I can see why Colt would have befriended him.”
“I think it’s more than that,” Savannah corrected. “I think Colt protected Rudy. Colt was the one person Rudy could depend on.”
“I agree,” someone spoke behind them.
Kurt and Savannah pulled away from one another when Tony joined them.
“I think Colt wanted to help him,” Tony said. “Can I?” He waved to the door. “Can I speak to him, please?”
Savannah bit her lip and looked at Kurt. When he gave her a slight nod, she blew out a breath.
“I can ask,” she replied. “You’re not official and he doesn’t have to talk to you if he doesn’t want to.”
Tony dipped his head in acknowledgement. “I understand. But I think he’ll talk to me.”
Savannah looked torn. Kurt knew she wanted to help, but she was also dedicated to protecting Rudy. “Okay,” she agreed finally. “Come on.”
Kurt followed Savannah and Tony into the small room. Rudy looked up at them warily when they walked in.
“Rudy?” Savannah motioned towards Tony. “Can he have just a minute?”
Rudy’s eyes were wide, but he nodded. “O-okay.”
Savannah pulled Kurt back against the wall. They stood close to one another and watched as Tony sat next to Rudy.
“Hi,” Tony said and offered his hand. “I’m Tony.”
Rudy gasped. “Colt’s Tony?”
Tony smiled at him. “Yes.”
Rudy placed his hand in Tony’s. “He told me about you.”
Tony released Rudy’s hand but reached over and patted his knee. “I’m glad. I’m happy he had a friend in there with him.”
“I told him that I overheard Bruce talking about him. I begged him to leave,” Rudy said desperately. “I tried to get him out.”
“I know,” Tony said, soothing him. “And I appreciate you helping us now.”
“I want to help,” Rudy implored. “I swear.”
“You are helping. Colt would be proud.”
Rudy’s eyes filled. “He said when all this was over he’d help me. He’d get me out too.”
Kurt felt Savannah’s hand brush his before she intertwined their fingers together.
“We’ll still help you,” Tony promised.
Rudy’s tears fell.
“Rudy.” Tony spoke softly. “Why did your dad send you down here?”
Rudy sobbed. “He found me and my friend Matt together. We tried to play it off, but he knew. My dad knew.”
“Knew what?”
Rudy covered his face with his hands. “That I’m gay.”
“It’s okay,” Tony assured the younger man. Rudy started to weep and Tony wrapped his arms around him.
Savannah pushed up against the wall and pulled Kurt from the room to give them privacy. Clint and Cain were waiting in the hall.
“Poor kid,” Clint said as they joined them.
“Yeah,” Kurt agreed sadly. He vowed that he would help Tony and Colt take care of Rudy. The kid wouldn’t have to go back if he didn’t want to.
“Tony will help him,” Cain added.
Kurt waved towards Cain. “This is Tony’s brother Cain. Cain, this is Deputy Savannah Conley,” he introduced.
Kurt had a hold of Savannah’s left hand so she was able to offer her right in greeting. “It’s nice to meet you,” Savannah said.
“Thank you, Deputy. It’s my pleasure,” Cain responded.
Inside, Kurt’s wolf complained. He had to hold in a growl that threatened to escape. He didn’t like another man touching what was his. Savannah shouldn’t be handled by another shifter. He didn’t think he’d made a sound, but Cain glanced over at him and released Savannah’s hand. He cocked a brow.
Kurt found he was baring his teeth.
“Hey,” Cain said with some amusement. “Mated wolf here. I didn’t mean anything by it.”
Kurt nodded but pulled Savannah closer. He knew that Cain was mated. He didn’t know where that response had come from.
Savannah looked up at him with confusion. He didn’t know what to say.
“Let’s go get something cold to drink.” Clint pulled everyone’s attention to him.
Kurt was grateful. “Yeah, good idea. We’ll grab something for Tony and Rudy too.”
They passed the Sheriff’s office as they walked towards the break room. Sheriff Webb was barking orders into the phone, demanding information from whomever he was speaking with.
“That man should have been a shifter,” Clint commented as they continued on.
Kurt laughed. He couldn’t have agreed more. Sheriff Webb was a force. Kurt had got to know the man well and respected the hell out of him. He was compassionate and kind, but also one of the best authority figures Kurt had ever met.
“Yeah, I wouldn’t want him as a father-in-law, though,” Kurt teased.
Clint snorted. “He threatened to neuter me if I hurt Sara.”
Cain and Kurt burst out laughing. It felt good after the long, stressful day.
“I think Sara could handle that herself. I even have the perfect knife I can loan her,” Savannah quipped, leading the way into the break room.
Clint stumbled in the doorway and Kurt grabbed at him. “That’s not right,” Clint grumbled.
Kurt tried to hold back his amusement, but Clint’s reaction was too good. Everyone knew Sara would never hurt Clint. He watched Savannah as she yanked the fridge door open and started passing around cold cans of Coca-Cola. Had he ever been so comfortable with anyone as quickly as he was with her? He didn’t think so.
Savannah turned towards him and he found himself closing the distance. She looked surprised before her features softened and she strode into his arms, setting her drink on the table as she passed it.
His mouth came down on hers and he felt the need to consume.
“Ugh,” he heard Clint say to Cain. “Why don’t we go take Tony and Rudy their drinks?”
Kurt was aware of the two men leaving and the door closing, but it didn’t matter. He had to taste Savannah, had to feel the bond that had started. He gripped her hips and leaned into her. Their mouths met even as she ran her hands over his shoulders and back.
“I need you,” he confessed against her ear.
“Yes!” she panted. “Oh, God, yes!”
He lifted her onto the table and moved between her legs. He nipped down her neck, leaving small marks. He wanted to claim.
She arched, pressing her breasts against his chest. He swiped his tongue at the opening of her shirt. He could rip the garment away and feast. His wolf urged him on.
“Shit!” he cursed and stepped back. “We can’t do this here.”
Savannah was trying to draw in gulps of air. Her face was flushed and her eyes were filled with passion that matched his own hunger. She ran a shaky hand over her hair. “You’re right.” She cleared her throat. “Damn, Kurt.”
He chuckled. It felt good to know he wasn’t the only one tormented by their desire.
“Tonight?” she asked, pushing him back before climbing off the table.
Kurt allowed her room enough to stand. He considered pulling her back into his arms but knew he had better not. His cock was already aching—he was so hard, any more stimulation and he wouldn’t be able to stop.
“Call me when you get off shift?” he pleaded.
“First thing,” she agreed.
He backed towards the door slowly. She grinned, watching him. He left the break room almost at a run. Clint was waiting, leaning against the far wall with his arms crossed over his chest. Kurt lifted a brow.
“Just making sure I didn’t have to pour a bucket of cold water on the two of you. This is her office,” Clint supplied.
Kurt flipped him off and kept walking. He couldn’t even get mad as Clint laughed at him. It didn’t matter anyway. He’d be alone with Savannah soon enough.
Chapter Nine
Totally exhausted, Savannah stood in front of Kurt’s front door waiting for him to answer her knock. Once she had returned to the room where Rudy was, things had seemed to move quickly.
The shifters had left to make plans. Sheriff Webb had received a phone call from a contact in Nevada who would check into Dan Carter’s location. He’d also ordered Savannah to work with Rudy on any evidence and laws being broken out at the Church that would help them secure warrants. Sheriff Webb wanted the Church shut down.
The sheriff was still at the office working on getting a judge to sign the warrants but had sent Savannah home. He wanted her to rest up for the next day. She’d called Kurt as she’d reached her vehicle, and he’d invited her back to his house.
So she stood on tired feet, the cold night at her back, and waited until Kurt opened the door. He reached for her even as the door swung open. Savannah wrapped her arms around his waist and let him hold her. Kurt smoothed his hand down her hair, relaxing her. His warmth against her started to take some of the chill from her bones. He moved back without releasing his embrace. The door closed securely behind her and she sighed. It wasn’t only passion and hunger she needed tonight. It was this, this comfort and support.
Kurt kissed her forehead, then her left cheek, while murmuring to her. When he pulled back to look down at her face, she offered him a small smile.
“Let’s get you comfortable,” he urged, removing her coat.
She let him help her with her jacket before he bent and removed her boots. He pushed them against the wall and she noticed the bag next to them.
“Are you going somewhere?” she questioned.
He sandwiched her hands between his. “Come on, I put on a pan of hot chocolate once I knew you were on your way.”
He led her into his spacious kitchen. The warmth of the room soaked into her. She moaned in delight from the heat and the smell of the chocolate.
“That’s a good sound,” he commented, helping her onto a stool at the island. He strolled to the stove and started to stir the saucepan on top. “To answer your question, yes, we’re heading to Nevada in the morning. Sheriff Webb was able to confirm Dan Carter’s location.”
“That’s great!” she told him.
“Yeah, a house deeded to a close family friend of Carter’s was located in Rolling Hills. With Rudy’s information, we really believe that is where Carter is hiding.”
“Okay.” She started to stand. “I’m sure you have a lot you need to do. I can come back another time.”
“No!” Kurt said quickly. She sat back down and Kurt lowered his head. “Don’t go.”
“I don’t want to, but…”
Kurt turned and pulled the pot from the fire. He twisted the knob and turned the burner off then he strode towards her. “I might be gone several days. We have a couple of guys coming in and will fly out at first light. I want to spend the night with you before I leave,” he told her.
Relief had her shoulders slumping.
Kurt reached over and cupped her face. “Savannah, do you understand what is going on here?”
She blinked up at him. “What do you mean?” she asked, confused. She knew all about what Kurt had to do. Hadn’t she been working her ass off all day to help him?
“I’m falling in love with you,” he confessed quietly.
Savannah jerked back in shock. She hadn’t expected that, hadn’t thought he would say it. Her heart leapt in joy.
Kurt let his hands fall back to his sides.
“You what?” she managed to ask, although that wasn’t what she’d meant to say.
Shit!
This was a moment. One that she would always remember. She did not want to fuck this up.
“I think about you all the time,” he told her. “I crave your scent, your touch. In my office I wanted to claim you, to mark you, so everyone knew you belonged to me. I’m falling in love with you.”