Patrick's Heart by Stacey Espino Read Free Book Online Page A

business and pleasure would get a negative review from the inspector. Patrick couldn’t give a shit.
    “Yeah, she’s my girlfriend.” The word sounded so shallow, a human title that held little significance in his world. He was already beginning to consider Cassidy his mate, which carried the weight of the world in meaning. Girlfriend, fiancée, wife—they meant nothing in comparison.
    “What?” The man stood up, a look of shock souring his features. “You and her?”
    At least Patrick had only implicated himself. He was good at that lately. “That’s right. You may just be looking at your future brother-in-law.” One of them.
    The man practically growled before storming out of the trailer.
    “Scott, wait!” called Ms. Tanner, rushing to the doorway.
    He smirked, crossing his arms over his chest. “So, you have a little something burning for Scotty? You moonlight with many random strangers?”
    She finally dropped her act, her beauty fading by the second. She grabbed a pack of cigarettes from the tabletop and lit up, taking a deep drag. “You think this job is easy? Go here, go there. I can’t settle in one place because I’m always traveling. Relationships? Forget it. So sue me if I like to have a little fun once in a while.”
    “You know this report is bogus. Just give Garret the all clear and be done with it. And I’ll be sure to keep your nighttime exploits between you and me.”
    “A bribe?”
    “A peace offering.”
    “Just when I was getting comfortable with Scott, you want me to pack up my bags? I’ll give you a clean report, but I’m not ready to go just yet.”
    He was about to tell her to take Scott with her, but Patrick needed him.
    “Let me talk with Scott and see what’s happening. Wait here. I’ll be back.”
    Patrick constantly had Cassidy on his mind, so it was hard to focus on anything else. All he wanted to do was return to her, beg her to accept him. His wolf whimpered within him, wounded by her rejection. But he wouldn’t grovel at her feet and force her to love him. He was used to blocking off emotion, but the years he kept closed off were catching up to him.
    “Hey! Wait up!” Scott was walking in the direction of the open pit, a place off-limits even for the crew without proper safety gear.
    He kept walking.
    Patrick jogged to catch up and then tugged one of the man’s shoulders back to stop him. “Didn’t you hear me? You can’t be here.”
    “You fuck her?” he asked, his voice carrying a bitter edge. Patrick could feel the hatred roll off the other man in waves.
    Patrick was at a loss. “Is that something you really need to know? You’re her brother, so that’s none of your business.” His suspicions grew. He narrowed his eyes, taking in the male from head to toe.
    “Brothers are supposed to care about who their sisters date.”
    “But you haven’t even met her yet.” Patrick was beginning to wonder if he wanted Cassidy to meet this asshole at all. She had put Scott up on a pedestal, and he could relate to her desperate need to connect with a relative. But Patrick learned long ago to only rely on himself and not to put faith in humans. This guy was strung tight, his patience balancing on a thin rope.
    He took an exaggerated breath. “Where is she? I’ve waited long enough to find her.”
    “She’s safe at the owner’s house.”
    “I thought she was your girlfriend.”
    “Look, do you want to meet her or not?” Patrick was losing patience by the second. He wished he knew what the right decision was. If he introduced Cassidy to this guy and only brought her disappointment, her dreams would be crushed. But he didn’t want to be known as the one to keep her from her dream either. What he needed was his alpha. Garret would know what to do, but he was back at the cabin with Cassidy and the rest of the pack.
     
    * * * *
     
    Cassidy awoke to the symphony of small birds chattering in the trees. She rolled to her side, realizing she was cradled within