“They came to the station and essentially told me they’d take me out if I didn’t tell them everything I knew about your kidnapping.”
“As you can imagine, darling, they could easily make good on any threat, but they are quite civilized.”
Seth glanced at the mountain of big men. “Good thing.”
He led Lindsey down the long hall and out to the overgrown parking lot, where he’d abandoned more than parked his bike. He pulled the helmet from the handlebars. “Here, put this on. I’m not taking any more chances with you.”
Lindsey pulled the helmet on over his fair hair. “Not much of a fashion statement, I fear.”
Seth touched his face above the chin strap. “I’m so sorry for—everything.”
Those blue eyes gazed into his. “Not everything, I hope. So much has been very good.”
“And some has been crappy.”
“You’ll get no disagreement from me.”
Seth shook his head. “I guess I grew up with this anti-rich-person bias. I think if some poor guy from my neighborhood did the stuff you’ve done—Granny and everything—I’d have thought he was cool and brave. But because you’re rich and powerful, I took it as an accusation that I wasn’t doing my job.”
“Far from it. I think you’re amazing. But you know as well as I do that the system can be clunky and awkward sometimes.”
Seth grinned. “You mean because the police have to follow the law?”
“Precisely.” Lindsey laughed back.
“We can discuss the pros and cons of law enforcement another time. I just want you to know that I think you’re even more amazing.” He stopped and took a breath. Was he going to say this? Hell yeah. “I’d like to be in your life, if you’ll have me.”
Lindsey paused and so did Seth’s heart. Then he smiled, but it looked a little sad. “I’d like that.”
He shouldn’t say it, but—“More than you want to be with that Bruce character?”
Lindsey cocked his head. “A little jealous, are we?”
“Viciously.”
“He said the same thing about you.”
“Damn. Maybe I can finish the kidnappers’ job.”
Lindsey touched his arm. “No need. He’s no threat to you at all.”
Seth glanced at the pretty hand on his arm, then followed it up to the bare shoulders. “Here, take my jacket so you don’t freeze on the bike.”
“I tend to stay warm, but I’ll take it gladly.” He slipped his arms into the sleeves, and though Lindsey was as tall as Seth, the jacket swam on his slender frame. He hugged himself. “It smells like you.”
Seth leaned in and captured those full lips with his. The kiss was gentle but ripe with promise. He pulled back. “Wish I could do more.”
“Oh, you can. Just give it a little time.”
Shit, that sounded so good. He crawled on the bike, and Lindsey got on behind him. As he started up, he realized this broken-down parking lot could have been heaven with Lindsey’s arms wrapped tightly around him. He really had it bad.
Chapter Eleven
Lindsey walked down the wide staircase in fresh jeans and a soft sweater. Energy buzzed under his skin. Shifting did that to him. Going out for a big run right now would be good, but a little tough to explain to the FBI. He sighed. Even tougher to explain to Seth.
He stopped. What the hell was he doing? He could have just kept the separation with Seth and it would all be done. He wouldn’t have to figure out how to break it off or, even more impossible, tell Seth what he was. But when he’d heard his voice on the phone and Seth apologized, then came running into the warehouse like Captain America, Lindsey’s heart melted. He didn’t want to break it off. He wanted Seth more than anything he’d dared to want in his life. God, he shook just thinking about it. But the “I am a werewolf” conversation stuck in his throat and choked him. He’d have to settle for the moments he could get before it came to that.
The voices of the police and FBI murmured from the dining room. He followed the sound and found six or seven people dismantling the electronics the FBI had used for tracking and following the ransom calls. When he stepped through the big arch, his mom flew across the room and hugged him. “Are you feeling better, my baby?”
“Yes, dear. No worries. Those bad guys weren’t even all that scary.” That was kind of true.
Seth stepped up to his other side and gently touched his hand. So sweet. Could he just enjoy having Seth here and not worry about the future? How he wished.
Partridge, the FBI guy, motioned to him. “Let’s go in your living room so we can take your statement.”
Lindsey led the way into the room. Pop-Pop got up from one of the upholstered chairs to meet him and give him a hug. “I’d like to be here for this as well, please.”
It was clear that Partridge wanted to say no, but Casper Vanessen had a law degree among his accomplishments, and few people said no to the old man and made it stick.
Lindsey sat on the couch between Pop-Pop and his mom. Seth and Partridge took the chairs. He’d have liked to sit near Seth, but he didn’t want to make the man seem like a personal friend rather than a cop.
Partridge held a tablet on his lap. “Can you describe what occurred in your own words, Mr. Vanessen?”
“I went to that godforsaken picnic area with Bruce Westerberg and got grabbed. How is Bruce? Have you found him?”
“Yes, he’s been returned to his family.”
Lindsey frowned. “How? Did they pay the ransom?”
“Yes, I believe so. Someone else is in charge of that case.”
“That was fast.”
“Yes. He was home before you even called Seth.”
Strange. “Anyway, I was at the country club. The doorman recommended Rain Rocks to both me and Bruce, so I suggest you find the doorman right away. It’s too much of a coincidence.”
Partridge frowned. “Odd. Westerberg didn’t mention that.”
“It seems important to me, but Bruce was pretty upset. He may not remember. Anyway, we walked in on this broken path for a ways. It was too primitive for my taste, but Bruce seemed to think it was peaceful. We sat under a tree near some woods.”
Seth leaned forward. “Who picked the spot to sit?”
“I did. Or rather, I picked the clearing because I didn’t want to walk any farther. He suggested the tree.”
“The tree by the forest?”
“Yes.” Lindsey raised an eyebrow. “But he had no way of knowing I would choose that location.”
Partridge was busy taking notes on the tablet. “What happened when you got there?”
He glanced at Seth. Time to skip a few details. “We were eating when someone threw a bag over my head, and I think three men grabbed me.”
Partridge gave a small smile. “It was likely just one or two but felt like three at the time.”
Lindsey sighed softly. “No, it was three. I’m a black belt in karate and not easy to subdue; therefore it required some muscle, and I felt six hands.”
Partridge nodded. “Yes, I see. Where was Westerberg?”
“I could hear Bruce yelling, so there had to be some men on him too. That meant there must have been four or five people who snatched us. They put ether over my nose and mouth through the bag, so I blacked out and woke up in the warehouse. While I was there, I was never aware of more than the two men whom I subdued.”