Not wanting to dwell on her mounting desire for a Granger, Ariel jumped into her VW and breathed a sigh of relief when Betty fired up right away. Benson hadn’t moved, probably because he wanted to make sure the old car would start.
As she drove past him, Ariel painted on a smile and waved, hoping he couldn’t see her flushed cheeks through the car window. For the entire trip to her brother’s house, her mind raced. How had she gone from thinking Benson, and probably Preston, were the enemy, to believing they were all on this quest together?
* * *
Once Ariel was on the road, Benson hopped into his SUV. Her faint scent still lingered, causing his cock to harden. Being with her for this long had tested his resolve. He struggled to tamp down his insane need for her. However, it wasn’t as if he could tell her that she was his mate. Ariel would laugh at him and rightfully so. They’d only known each other a few days. Besides, humans wouldn't understand this built-in desire that werewolves developed the moment they met the person they were meant to be with.
The problem he and Preston faced was that they were werewolves, and Ariel was not. Sadly, neither had any idea how they were going to overcome that fact.
Even though Preston would be at work for another few hours, Benson wanted to discuss their plan for how to proceed with Ariel.
Once he arrived in town, he parked in front of the gym and entered. “Hey, Anna.”
She smiled. “Hi, Benson. If you’re looking for Preston, he’s in his office.”
“Thanks.” He stepped closer. “Your uncle was looking a little pale in court. Is he feeling okay?”
That comment seemed to surprise her. Anna Ackerman was the public defender’s niece. Normally when Benson brought up her uncle’s name, she always perked up. The two of them were quite close.
“He hasn’t said anything, but I’ll be sure to ask him. He doesn’t like anyone to worry about him.”
“I hope he was just under a lot of stress and is resting now that the murder trial is over.”
She chuckled. “My uncle rest? Never.”
“I hear you.” When he headed into Preston’s office, his roommate looked up from the computer. “How did it go with Trent?”
Benson pulled up a chair and told him everything he remembered. “He didn’t trust me enough to give me any names, but he told me where he gambled. That’s a start.”
“Can you blame him for not telling you more?”
“What does that mean?”
“It just means that Trent probably thinks you’ll try to tack on a few more charges onto his murder charge.”
Benson laughed. “Seriously? That's not how the law works anyway.”
“Trent might not know that. You did put him in jail.”
“The facts of the case put him in jail, not me.”
Preston held up a hand. “You’re right. You look a little flushed. Are you okay?”
Benson had to think about that for a moment. “Yes and no. Guess who was at the prison when I finished speaking with Trent?”
“Ariel?”
“Yes.”
“And?”
Benson told him that he waited for her to finish her visit with her brother, and they then went to a local coffee shop. “Trent told her less than he told me. He said it was because he wanted to protect his sister.”
“That actually says a lot about Trent.”
“It does. Trent asked that I speak with her about not seeking justice for him. I think I was successful in convincing her that she shouldn’t become involved with anyone connected to drugs or gambling.”
“Did she agree? Ariel is pretty stubborn.”