Bearliest Catch by Bianca D'Arc Read Free Book Online Page B

long
enough to pack up my things, drop them at my parents’ and take off
for the water. I’ve been living in the ocean ever since. Things are
a lot simpler there.”
    Drew nodded. “I bet. And I’m sorry you had a
bad breakup, but I’m glad you kicked the jerk to the curb. I could
go kill him for you, if you like.”
     

Chapter Four

    Was he serious? He looked awfully
serious.
    “No, it’s okay,” she was quick to say. She
didn’t want him killing anyone and going to jail for her. “I put it
behind me, but it’s funny you called him a jerk. That’s my little
name for him. Dirk the Jerk.”
    “His name is Dirk?” Andrew’s expression was
far too calculating for her comfort.
    “Yeah, but it’s really okay. I don’t want him
dead.” At least not anymore. “And I do my own killing, these
days.” She chuckled. “I’m part of a hunting party that fights
predators near the pod to keep the rest safe.”
    “You’re a warrior.” He seemed surprised by
her revelation.
    “Didn’t Grace tell you?”
    “No. She’s only shared a little with her
mate, but he’s kept quiet. They must’ve told John the few things he
needed to know to trust her. We all understand about needing to
protect our people’s secrets, and we generally respect each others’
privacy.”
    She thought about that for a moment. “Things
are easier in the ocean. We don’t have to dodge humans and their
laws much. Living on land, surrounded by them, and the possible
threat of them, is hard.”
    “But you lived on land for a while, right?
You lived with your folks and your ex,” he prompted.
    She sighed. “Yeah. I grew up on land. I
didn’t flee to the ocean until after…”
    “After you broke up with Dirk the Jerk,” he
supplied, finishing her sad thought.
    “I totally ran away from my troubles,” she
admitted. “It was cowardly, but the ocean has a way of washing away
all your troubles, you know?”
    She looked up at him, hoping he’d understand,
and she saw more than she bargained for in his eyes. He nodded
slowly.
    “I know. Why do you think I’m always out on
my boat? I crave the peace of the water, but you must know the
ocean in ways I could never experience. I envy you, in a way.”
    She hadn’t expected that.
    “What are you trying to forget?”
    She saw him withdraw at her direct question,
sitting back in his chair and looking down at his empty plate.
She’d pushed him too far, too fast. For a moment, she considered
reaching out to him. Apologizing. But he stood from the table
before she could make a move toward him and headed for the sink
with his empty plate.
    “It’s complicated,” he allowed, at least
giving her the courtesy of some kind of answer as he rinsed his
plate and then tucked it into the dishwasher rack. “A sad story for
another time. Right now, I think it’s time to call Jack and Grace
and see if they’re ready to come up for a little air so you can see
your friend.”
    He pulled a slim phone from his hip and hit a
few buttons, then held the device up to his ear. She could hear it
ringing, and then, a deep, male voice answered. The earpiece was
set loud enough that she could hear both sides of the conversation,
and she smiled as the men traded insults before Andrew got down to
business. When the man on the other end of the call relayed Jetty’s
arrival, she heard the undeniable squeal of Grace’s delight in the
background.
    Well, that answered that question. He wasn’t
lying about Grace, and judging by the rest of the men’s short
conversation, she and her friend would be reunited within the hour.
Things were moving right along. If everything continued to check
out, she’d be able to give the green light to her people regarding
the safe harbor offer, but she was still reserving judgment. She
would have to meet the Alpha and see more of the town after meeting
with Grace.
    One bite at a time. That was the only way to
eat a whale.
     
    The visit with Grace was all Jetty could have
wished for.