Sky didn’t say anything else, she just looked at the buildings as they passed. Most looked like they were freshly painted. None showed the wear and tear you would expect.
“Over here is the new playground. The old one was barely held together. It was a health hazard. More to the human kids than the shifter ones since they can heal on their own. It was one of the first things I had replaced when I came to town.”
Damien’s voice was full of pride, and Sky couldn’t blame him. It was an amazing and generous thing to do. But she couldn’t help but think he was buying their loyalty and support. Was that how he operated? Fix things and give them new stuff so they wouldn’t care he just kicked everyone out and took over?
They drove around a bit more and came to the center of town. Damien pointed out city hall and, on the steps, stood the new Mayor talking to the Sheriff. They turned and spotted his car and waved at him. Damien sighed. “Do you mind if I stop a second?”
“That’s fine.” Not like she could say “no way, take me to the hotel now.” She was interested to hear what the men had to say anyway.
Damien pulled over in front of the building, and the two men walked down to the car. Damien got out, and Sky followed suit, it would be rude to just sit there, right?
She didn’t want to intrude on the conversation, so she turned and looked around the area. If she was listening in… then so be it, but at least she wasn’t staring at them while she did it. She took in the sights and stores in the area while they chatted behind her.
“Sorry to interrupt your morning, Damien, but Patrick was just filling me in.”
Sky didn’t turn, but she felt the car move slightly and assumed Damien leaned against it.
“Not a problem, Mayor Heep.”
“Listen, we stopped you because I was just notified that old Mayor Jomen was found dead behind the warehouse on Baylum Road. I’m heading over in a second, but I’ve got my guys taping off the area, and no one is going near the body. Preliminary report is murder though, gunshot to the back of the head, hands tied behind his back.”
“What was Jomen doing here?” Damien asked.
The Mayor sighed. “We don’t know. This town has suffered enough with the crooked business Jomen had going. So many shady characters using this town...” He paused, shaking his head. “Remember Salazar? I’m hearing horror stories about him, but I have zero evidence. All hearsay. But this town has been recuperating thanks to you.”
“Can’t say Jomen didn’t set himself up to get killed,” Damien said.
Sky gasped and glanced over her shoulder at the men.
“Sky come meet the Mayor. Mayor Heep, this is Sky. The woman sent by Gerri Wilder to interview me for my mate. Sky this is Mayor…”
Sky walked around the car and reached out to shake the man’s hand. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to listen in.”
Damien pulled her into his side, and Sky swiftly turned to glare at him.
“It’s fine. If it was a secret we would have moved away from the car. Anyway, who reported the death?”
The Sheriff growled. “Some damn kids playing out there. They will probably need therapy for the rest of their lives.”
The Mayor shook his head, and Sky wasn’t sure if it was in response to the Sheriff’s gruff tone or in sympathy for the kids.
Damien sighed. “Get me their names, and I will take care of it.”
Sky glanced up at Damien, but didn’t say anything. How was he going to take care of it, and what was it exactly? Wasn’t it odd for the Mayor and Sheriff to inform a business owner of a homicide? She guessed since he got both men their jobs, it made sense they would answer to him, but how much did he get away with because he owned them? Was this town just here to let him do what he wanted, and everyone looked the other way?
Shit! Did he kill the old Mayor just so no one would ask questions about him being outed, and Damien’s man being installed in his place? From what she read, he was capable of it, and as much as her heart wanted to say no way… her mind said it was possible. She tuned back into the conversation just in time to hear Damien speaking.
“Keep me posted on what you find.” He nodded to the men, and they both stepped away.
“Nice to meet you, Sky. I hope you like our fair town.” The Mayor smiled, and she could see why he was a politician. He was smooth and charming, but he was still Damien’s man so she didn’t trust him.
“You too.” Sky turned and walked around the car, Damien following behind her. “I can get my own door.”
“You could, but I’m a gentleman.”
Sky let out an unladylike noise and rolled her eyes. “That remains to be seen.”
Chapter Twelve
Sky wasn’t sure what the hell had crawled up her ass, but she needed to chill with the attitude. Okay, she knew what the problem was. She liked Damien. Way too much and she knew that’s not what she was there for. Plus, she shouldn’t allow his gentleman ways to get the best of her.
“I was hoping you’d be interested in getting lunch,” he smiled and her heart did a flip. Ugh. Freaking hormones. She needed to control herself.
“I guess,” she mumbled. She wasn’t really interested in spending much more time with Damien when her emotions were getting caught up in his devilish smile.
“I know just the place,” he said and drove them down the main road to what looked like someone’s house, but it had a sign at front that read “Bubba’s BBQ”.
“Barbecue?”
He came around the car to help her out and took her hand, not letting go even after she was outside the car. Swallowing back the groan from how good he smelled so close to her, she licked her lips.
“You’re going to love this place,” he said, still holding her hand.
There was an old woman at the entrance, and she smiled wide when she saw him but frowned when she caught sight of Sky.
“Damien Grimes,” she said. “Are you looking to get your lady friend some good food?”
He chuckled and kissed the old lady’s cheek. “That’s right, Bella. She won’t know the best until she comes here.”
“Damn straight,” said Bella. “Come on. I’ve got a great table for y’all out back by the pond.”
Sky followed Bella and tried not to notice how close Damien held on to her or how good it felt to be near him. Nope. She did not need to think about that. He was a client. He was off limits. Fuck. Why was she picturing him naked?
They went out a back door and just like Bella said, there were a few tables by the pond, all spaced out for privacy.
Ever the gentleman, Damien held her seat for Sky and then sat across from her. There were a bunch of wildflowers in a mason jar at the center of the table. Next to that was another mason jar with silverware and a napkin holder. The place was simple, but the smell of the food had Sky’s stomach grumbling.
Bella took their drink orders. “I’ll send Bubba out with your drinks and some corn bread mini muffins.” She eyed Sky and turned back to Damien. “Your food will be out shortly. Behave.”
Damien laughed heartily as Bella walked away.
“Why did she tell you to behave? And she didn’t take our food order, so how will she know what we want to eat?”