Werewolf Sings the Blues by Jennifer Harlow Read Free Book Online Page B

Front row. I was right, I didn’t know my own father when I met him on the street.
    My head swims. Only one word sticks enough for me to focus on it. Lies . My entire life is based on lies. Mom lied to me. I thought he didn’t care. Hell, even though it wasn’t rational, a part of me had believed I ran him off somehow. That I wasn’t lovable enough for him to stick around. That he saw something in me as an infant and decided I wasn’t worth his trouble. That he was right to leave. I’m gonna kill Mom. It’s a damn good thing she’s three thousand miles away because if she was in front of me right now I really would murder her. Both of them.
    Jason hangs by the back of the car checking the one, two, three wow, four guns laying on the trunk as I get up. “I need your cell phone,” I say.
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œI need to call my mom.”
    He sets down the revolver. “Not a good idea. If those men were Marshals, they may have contacted her already. May even have someone watching her.”
    Shit. “Could my family be in danger too?”
    â€œUnlikely, but possible.”
    â€œThen give me the fucking phone,” I say, rounding the car toward him. I hold my hand out, and he glares at it as if it’s just slapped him. “It’s not like I can tell her where I am because I don’t even know.” He continues to glare, which earns an eye roll. “Please?” That works. He reaches into his pocket and hands me the cell. “Thank you.”
    I return to my seat inside and dial. There’s no answer on the house phone, so I try her cell. “Hello?” Mom asks.
    â€œMom, it’s Viv.”
    â€œVivian! Hold on, I’m at the club.” Far away, she says, “Paula, if they call us for a court, tell them I’ll be back in five minutes.” I’m being hunted and she’s playing tennis. Fair. I hear her walking, then in a low whisper, “What the hell have you gotten yourself into now?”
    â€œExcuse me?”
    â€œWe had a call this morning from a Federal Marshal saying you were involved in a shoot-out last night. What did you do?”
    My mouth drops open. “Yeah, I’m fine Mom. Thanks for asking,” I snap. “And glad to know my kidnapping and possible death didn’t keep you from your doubles match with Paula.”
    She’s silent. “Are you ­… alright?”
    â€œConsidering last night I was almost murdered, then abducted, and oh, I just found out my father is a fucking werewolf, I’m doing pretty damn lousy. Thanks for finally asking. ”
    More silence, then, “Your father’s a what?”
    My rage boils up ten degrees more. I’m hotter than the damn desert air. “Don’t play dumb. Not now,” I warn roughly. “I really do not have the patience or time for it. I am staring at letters and photos sent from you to Frank where, quite a few times, you scribbled the word werewol f. And I am with a man who had a paw for a hand last night. For once … I am begging you … I need to know the truth. Okay? My life depends on it. Please, ” I say, voice cracking. Shit, I think I’m about to cry. I force the desire away. Emotions have no place in my life right now.
    She doesn’t speak for a few seconds, then, “It was both our decisions not to tell you. For your protection. It was for the best. For all of us.”
    Kaboom.
    It’s real good I’m sitting because I doubt my legs could support me in this moment as the bottom drops out of my world, sending me into freefall. This is reality. This is happening. It’s true, it’s all true. My father’s a werewolf. My mother lied to me all my life, and I’m being hunted by homicidal supernatural beings who’ve already slaughtered the stepmother and half brother I never knew I had. No calm this time, only literal gut-wrenching fear and panic. The wind is knocked out