Pack Investigator Read Online Free PDF Page A

on his own. Like he has something they want. I fear that if whoever took Randy doesn’t get what they want, they might come after the boy.”
    His chest tightened and it was hard for Garrett to breathe. He clenched his hands into fists before forcing his body to take in a long, deep breath. Just the thought of someone hurting Nick made him want to kill them.
    Haas remained silent but his gaze was steady with Garrett’s.
    “The connection between the two of you is unbelievable,” Haas noted, his voice full of awe.
    “I don’t know what it is about him but all my instincts are screaming at me to protect him,” Garrett whispered. “I need to make sure that he’ll be surrounded by enough security when he leaves here that we don’t have to worry about him getting kidnapped. That has to be our first priority.” He knew he wasn’t in a position to make demands but Nick had to be safe. “I know that Lily is working with the cops but I have to be involved.”
    “I agree,” Haas replied. “I don’t think Lily knows about the two instances. When I spoke to our Alpha he stated that Nick was supposed to go over there but he was going to talk to her about other arrangements. He plans to have the Pack spread out over the town so they’re visible to anyone who is paying attention to the Pack. He doesn’t want to put the kid in harm’s way any more than we do.”
    Garrett opened his mouth to say he’d take him but Haas held up his hand. “I know you’re going to offer but I don’t think that will work either.”
    “Why not?” Garrett couldn’t keep the hurt from his tone.
    “We’ll be working a ton of hours and you’ll be gone most of the time. He’ll need someone to stay with him until this is solved,” Haas explained.
    Okay so he knew, knew, Haas was right but he still wanted the boy close to him.
    “Maybe with a cop and an EMT?” he suggested. Julie would probably want to kill him at first but he knew she wouldn’t be able to turn away a boy in need. Plus Nick was a part of Cooper’s Pack, so Garrett was certain he could get the cop on his side.
    “Cooper and your sister? That’s”—Haas sat back—“a really good idea. I haven’t met your sister yet but Cooper is a great cop.”
    When he didn’t say anything else, Garrett raised an eyebrow. “But?”
    “No, no buts.” Haas waved his hand as he spoke. “I’ve spent all morning trying to come up with a solution and you did it for me.”
    Pride filled Garrett’s soul and he couldn’t help but smile. It felt good to be appreciated.
    “Now we just have to convince Lily,” Haas said. “She’s by the book and what we’re talking about isn’t regulation. She’d have to bend some of the rules.”
    “I saw how much she cares about Nick,” Garrett told him. And he had. Lily wasn’t what he’d expected when he’d pictured a woman working in social services. For some reason he’d anticipated an older lady who looked like his grandma. He didn’t know why he’d thought that but when Lily had walked in with her long blonde hair, clear blue eyes, and cute, pert nose, he’d been shocked. She appeared to be around the same age as he was, but that wasn’t what had thrown him for a loop. Lily was stunning.
    “She does care,” Haas agreed. “We just have to find a way to convince her.”
    Garrett drained his cup before he held it up to the waitress for a refill. “I’m going to need more coffee.”
    Haas laughed. “We’ll come back to that. What do you know about the other fires?”
     
    * * * *
     
    Lily woke to a small whimper close to her ear. She opened her eyes and saw Nick thrashing but still asleep. She pushed back her chair, moved closer to the small boy and ran her hand over his hair. “Shh,” she soothed.
    Nick settled before he blinked his eyes open. “Garrett?”
    It was sweet that the boy’s first thought was of Garrett. “He’ll be back, hon.”
    “He left?” Nick popped up.
    “No,” she assured him. “Look, his