“That’s exactly what I’m talking about. Don’t put yourself in danger like this.”
He was wasting his breath, because I was already back away toward the door, ready to go ahead with what I wanted to do. I knew what was best, and nothing would hold me back. Miranda was worth it, and my feelings for her were so strong that I would keep her safe no matter what. Maybe Owain had never felt a love like that before.
“I will be in touch once I have something for you, Owain.”
“But I don’t think—”
I closed the door closed behind me, shutting those words away. I had a mission I needed to complete now. I planned on getting to the hospital quickly to try to be there when Cole was let out. He was going to be happy we had a mission to work on, something to distract him from his arm being hurt. He wouldn’t want to sit around and wait to heal. Luckily, his wounds wouldn’t affect him as much in his bear form. He would be able to do what he needed to do.
It didn’t take me long to get to the hospital, but disappointment soon caught me when I saw the room Cole had been in was empty. It was a good thing, I suppose, but also a little disappointing. I was going to have to wait to share all the information I had until I got to Miranda’s home. I was certain that was where they had gone. Cole had barely been to his place ever since we started protecting Miranda, same as me. The only time I had left her side was to have my meeting with Owain.
I drove fast to Miranda’s. Thankfully, I could hear voices inside, and I was happy to know that Cole and Miranda were indeed here. I knocked eagerly, excited to get to check in on my twin brother. I went into panic mode when he got shot. I’d raced after Brady, but I was worried about Cole the whole time.
“Ivan!” Miranda cried out. “Come in, you don’t have to knock. You know that. I should have given you a key already. Remind me to get you one sooner than later.”
It was nice to know that I would always be welcomed in Miranda’s home. But even if she gave me a key right now, I would still knock until Brady was gone.
“Guys, how is everything?” I asked as I followed Miranda into the living room. “Are you both okay?”
“I am, but I’m glad you’re here,” Cole replied. “Because after I got out of the hospital, we went for a shift run, and I caught a scent—Brady’s scent—in one of the rentals on the outskirts of town.”
“Not one of the lake houses?” I was shocked. For some reason, even though I knew they were all empty at the moment because of the burglaries, I thought he was there anyway, lurking about.
“No, the ones toward the mountain. He wasn’t there at the time, but I really think that’s where he might be staying. We need to make a plan so we can get to him.”
“I know the real estate agent that deals with those properties. I can find out if one of them has been rented to Brady Clover. Then we’ll know for sure.”
“Are you talking about Gemma?” Cole asked pointedly, reminding me what I could be digging up here. “Because I can go and speak with her if you want.”
Miranda darted her eyes between us, not understanding. Truth be told, I would have preferred it stay that way. I didn’t need her to know about my past. This was the problem with living in a small town like Twin Lakes, the past was always there. It was inescapable, even when a new person came along who didn’t know a thing about it. In Twin Lakes, they would find out no matter what. I didn’t want Miranda to find out from someone else.
“She’s my ex-girlfriend,” I finally explained, knowing there was no escaping it. “But from years ago. It wasn’t anything serious, it’s just a bit awkward, that’s all.”
“Why?” Miranda asked, needing more. I could understand that, she had been with a guy who lied to her throughout their whole relationship. I had to be completely honest with her.
“She thought that it was a lot more serious than I did. It got a bit…stalkerish for a while.” Her eyes popped wide. “But it’s fine now. She’s with someone else. It’s just a bit…” Shit, this wasn’t going over well at all. I didn’t want to put Miranda in an even more awkward position than she was already in. “You know what, Cole, you go see her. Take a picture of Brady with you and find out what’s happening there. I will stay here with you, Miranda. I have something I need to discuss with you anyway. Some things I found out when I was talking to Owain at the police station.”
I caught Cole’s eyes and nodded so he understood that all was fine. Miranda just needed to know the full truth about the monster she was with once upon a time. She wasn’t going to want to hear it, especially not about the rape and the discharge from his pack. I would also have to let her know that every murder was supposed to be her. It was going to suck, but it was best that she knew.
“Right, I will get this taken care of.” Cole got up and started heading for the front door. “Just stay here until I get back. Until I have spoken to Gemma and we know for sure that Brady is staying there. I just…I don’t want to have to be worried about you guys while I’m there.”
I held up my hands in surrender. “We aren’t going anywhere.”
“Only to pick Timothy up from school,” Miranda reminded us. “But aside from that, we will be here. I promise you we won’t do anything stupid.”
Her mentioning Timothy made me hate Brady all over again. A little boy shouldn’t have such a monster as a father. Why was Brady such an asshole? Why did he have to play all these games and do all this shit?
He needed to be punished. I was going to make sure that he was.