Wolf Fever (Alpha Project - Book 1) Read Free

no man in her life to run to. Her parents were dead. She had no family. She needed help. That meant she’d have to go find someone to do the job for her. “What’s the name of that guy you mentioned everyone’s afraid of?”
    “Who are you referring to?” Mandy asked “There’s quite a few men I’ve heard are dangerous in this town.”
    “You’d mentioned a particular man who worked for hire. Someone you’d heard of?”
    Mandy gulped. “I’m not sure I know who you’re talking about.”
    Her friend was lying.
    “Yes, you do. You’ve described him before. Saying how one of your patients had tried to hire him to do a job, but had been turned down and almost killed when he tried to push the matter.”
    “I… Raine. We’re talking about people you and I don’t associate with.”
    Not anymore. “I need to know who that guy is.”
    “If you’re talking about Ryder Storm, then I really think you should forget it. He’s not just dangerous; he’s the definition of danger. He doesn’t follow rules.”
    “Is he the one that does jobs for hire?”
    “Well…I’m not one hundred percent certain... but I think so.”
    “Is it him, yes or no?”
    Mandy clenched her hands around the steering wheel. The leather squeaked in her grip. ”Yes, but you don’t want Ryder Storm, Raine.”
    But she did. “Do you know where I can find him?”
    Color drained from Mandy’s face. “Oh, Raine. He owns a bar called Blood Hounds, but I really don’t think you should be messing around with that guy. I’ve heard things—”
    Raine lifted her brows. “What things?”
    “Well…” She licked her lips and glanced away.
    She curled a hand around Mandy’s arm and repeated the question with more force. “What things? I need to know.”
    Fear filled the depths of Mandy’s baby blues. “I’ve heard bad things. That dangerous people hang out at his bar.”
    “It doesn’t matter who hangs out at his bar. I may need to talk to him.”
    A black town car sat parked in her neighbor’s driveway. She frowned. There should be no one there. Most of her block was away on vacation.
    She turned back to Mandy, who was still studying her with alarm. “Do you mind dropping me off at my mom’s house tonight? I know it’s empty, but I always feel safer surrounded by their stuff.”
    “Anything to make you feel better. And I don’t want you talking about Ryder Storm anymore. He’s dangerous.” One sharp U-turn and they were driving away from her house.
    Things were different now. Her vision was clearer. Focused. Different scents drifted into the car and lingered during their drive. Some were pleasant, others not so much.
    Her parents’ white and yellow Victorian came into view. The car slowed until they were sitting in the driveway. She turned to her friend. “I’m sorry for worrying you.”
    Mandy sighed. She released the wheel from her tight grip. Frowning, she turned to Raine. “I’m not sure what’s wrong, but I don’t know if you should be left alone. You look so…lost.”
    Raine gulped. It was exactly how she felt. But it wasn’t fair to Mandy for her to push her problem on her. “I’m fine. I promise.”
    Instinct propelled her to hug her friend. Mandy clutched her tight. “Oh, honey. I’m here for whatever you need. You’re not alone.”
    Her throat closed up. Mandy had always been the type of friend who cared more about others than herself. Raine wouldn’t share her worries with her and stress her. “Thank you. I know.” The door creaked as she stepped out of the car. “Be careful going home.”
    “You’re sure you don’t need me to stay?” Mandy’s features were filled with doubt.
    She shook her head, marching toward the other side of the old car. Thank god she kept an extra key under the flowerpot in the shape of a yellow and white spotted frog. There would be no need to break a window or call a locksmith to get inside.
    At Mandy’s insistence, she scurried inside and shut the door.
    Fear and