“I think so. When we were talking, Ariel asked if we could handle ourselves in a fight should one break out. I think she was worried that she was sending me to my death.”
Preston pumped a fist. “Yes. So you’ll start working out now?”
“Even if I took a two-week vacation and spent every hour in the gym, I wouldn’t become an expert fighter. I’d just be really sore.”
“True, but you are a decent fighter in your wolf form.”
Those two had sparred a few times. “I believe Uncle Adam mentioned that many of those in the gambling and drug realm are shifters.”
“Are you questioning whether we are good enough?” Preston asked.
“Actually? Yes.” He nodded to Preston’s computer. “How much longer do you need to be here? I’d like to speak with my uncle about the case and thought you might want to join me.”
Preston closed his laptop. “I’m ready now. I was waiting for you.”
Benson stood. “Oh, I should mention that when I dropped Ariel off at her car, which was at the prison, she kissed me on the cheek.”
“No shit?”
“I guess I’m out of the dog house. As for you? I couldn’t say.”
“Don’t worry about me. I’ll convince Ariel that we are meant to be together.”
“You can do all the convincing you want, but eventually we’ll have to tell her what we really are.”
Preston grabbed his jacket and walked around his desk. “I’ll worry about that later.”
Since the sheriff’s office was only a few blocks away, they walked south a block, cut through the alleyway to cross the street to his uncle’s office. Once inside, they were greeted by Elana Granger, Benson’s cousin.
She smiled. “I haven’t seen you two in a while.”
Elana was single and was always bugging Benson to fix her up with Preston. His roommate said being involved with one Granger was enough for him.
“I’ve been busy.”
“That’s what you always say. I heard about the Trent Williamson case. Congrats.”
He wasn’t sure that congratulations were warranted. “Thanks. Is Uncle Adam in?”
“He is, but he is with a friend.”
That was intriguing. “Who?”
“A General Stanfield Armand. He’s an old Army buddy.”
He was also the head of a wolf pack in Florida. The man was a legend. “I’d love to meet him. Can you check to see if we would be interrupting or not?”
“Can do.”
CHAPTERSEVEN
Benson was excitedto meet the legend—General Stanfield Armand. His uncle had spoken highly of the man and how Armand had taken down more criminals than anyone he knew, partially because he’d trained the best of the best werewolves.
When he and Preston entered the sheriff’s office, his uncle smiled. “How nice of you to visit.”
Benson couldn’t tell if that was a dig or not. Truth be told, he hadn’t stopped by in a while. Thankfully, his uncle’s eyes sparkled, implying he was genuinely happy to see him.
“I see I have good timing. I’m finally able to meet General Armand.”