The Texas Shifter's Mate

The two women exchanged another glance.

“That might be possible,” Shayla began, her voice low and serious.

“It just might,” Maddie agreed, looking at him. “But Shayla and I were just talking about starting up our own private investigative agency. It’s been a lifelong dream of mine.” When she paused, Shayla took over.

“Maddie’s family used to run one. She got her feet wet, so to speak, working for her father. Maybe you could be our first customer.” She grimaced. “I guess it depends how desperate you are. While she knows her way around the business, I have zero experience. But I’m Mer, and can search underwater.”

Looking into her emerald green eyes, he didn’t even hesitate. “Yes. I’m in. Find my sister.”

Shayla shook her head. “Don’t you even want to know what we charge?”

Though he wanted to say he didn’t care what it cost, as long as they were successful, he knew better. “I’m sure it will be reasonable. Just get me the details as soon as possible. Of course, I’ll also pay any expenses incurred in the search.” He couldn’t believe his luck. Having another Mermaid hunt for his sister beneath the sea, and a Shifter who could help with the on-land search, was more than he’d hoped for. He glanced at his watch, jiggling his leg in impatience. “The sooner you can get started on finding her, the better.”

“We’ll need you to sign a contract,” Shayla said smoothly. “We’ll need to get that document drawn up. Can you meet us back here tomorrow night around eight?”

“Definitely.” He pushed to his feet. “Finally, I feel like I’m doing something constructive. I’ll see you ladies tomorrow.” Bracing himself, he looked at Shayla first and held out his hand.

When she took it, an electric shock rushed from his fingers up his arm. Her eyes widened, letting him know she likely felt it, too. The way she jerked her hand free confirmed it. So it wasn’t just one-sided. Interesting.

Curious to see what would happen, he turned to Maddie; they also shook. Nothing happened. Absolutely nothing. He wasn’t sure whether to be relieved or worried.

“Until we have the paperwork signed, please consider this a handshake agreement,” he said. “That way, you can get to work immediately.”

“We will,” Shayla replied. “We’ll do our best to find her.”

“Thank you.” He felt like a bit of the weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Even if they were totally inexperienced, having a Mermaid assisting was huge. At least he was no longer searching alone. “I appreciate your help more than you know.”

“Do you mind leaving the photo with us?” Shayla asked. “We can show it around. I assume you have another copy?”

“I can print one.” He handed it over. “I’ll see you tomorrow night.” He left the bar, feeling more hopeful than he had since Sunday night.

Chapter 2 (#u4031e78b-261f-5601-8639-b2f5118eb58c)

Shayla watched him go, her fingers and arm still tingling. Damned if there wasn’t something about that man. “Now we’ve done it,” she told Maddie. “We’ve got to make this work. That man is pinning his last hope on us.”

“And rightly so.” Maddie’s confidence made Shayla smile. “I’m a damn good police dispatcher, though I’m ready to do something else. A paranormal private investigation agency would be perfect, especially since I grew up with one, even though my family dealt with humans. I know the ins and outs of human law enforcement in this city. Plus, I have contacts. All of that’s got to count for something, right?”

Shayla nodded. “It’s interesting that I just said I wouldn’t mind finding something else to occupy my time. I’ll need to do some research. I know next to nothing about private investigators. We need to look into rates so we know what to charge. Do we need to get licensed?”

“Only if we plan on working with humans.” Maddie grinned. “Since we don’t, I think we’ll be okay without one.”

“True.” Shayla grinned back. “We’re also going to need a name. Something catchy.”

“I’ve got that covered. I already know what we’ll call ourselves,” Maddie said. “Perfect for a paranormal private investigation firm.” She gave a dramatic pause.

Crossing her arms, Shayla waited her out.

Finally, Maddie made her pronouncement. “We’ll call ourselves the Shadow Agency. Since so many of us operate in the Shadows.”

“I like that,” a sultry voice said. Carmen Vargas had come up to their table unnoticed. It was one of the more unnerving skills Vampires had. She pulled out a seat and smiled at them. “Especially since Shadows are a huge part of my life. Even more so than yours.” With her blond, spiky short hair and bright blue eyes, Carmen looked like anything but the Vampire she was. “So what exactly are you two up to now?”

Maddie told her. “And we already have our first client.”

“I want in.” Carmen leaned forward, her long silver earrings catching and reflecting the dim light. “Who better to work in the Shadows than a Vamp?”

Shayla considered her. “What about your job?” Carmen worked nights as a government researcher and scientist.

“It won’t be a problem. I set my own hours. I’d love to help you two get this business off the ground.”

Maddie nodded. “We just came up with the idea a few minutes ago. But if Shayla agrees, I think the three of us would make great partners.”

“Yes.” Shayla’s answer came immediately. “Let’s talk specifics.”

Over the next several hours, with Maddie taking notes, they hammered out all the details they could think of for their new business, the Shadow Agency. Since they wouldn’t be dealing with humans at all, they decided not to incorporate or worry about insurance. Shifters, Merfolk and Vampires weren’t the type to sue if something went wrong—they’d just get even.

“We need to decide on rates,” Maddie said next. “Since we’ll be splitting the payment three ways.”

“Not necessarily,” Shayla said. “I think the initial fee should go to the company. Each of us will be paid by the company depending on how much work we put in to each case. For example, this missing Mermaid. If I do a lot of underwater investigating, then I would bill the Shadow Agency for my time. Ditto on any time either of you devote to it. All of our payments come from the company rather than the client.”

“That makes sense.” Carmen flashed her white teeth in a smile. “I think this calls for another round of drinks.” She signaled Johnny, who dipped his head in acknowledgment.

“I think we need to get busy,” Maddie started to protest. “Time matters when someone has been abducted.”

“True,” Carmen agreed. “But Shayla can’t exactly jump into the ocean right now, so it’s going to have to wait until morning.”

Maddie looked from one to the other. “One more drink,” she finally agreed. “And then I want to go home and get started on the computer at least. I’ll start calling my contacts in the morning.”

“What are you drinking?” Shayla asked. Broken Chains kept a wide variety of exotic blood for its Vampire clientele, along with usual bar beverages, both alcoholic and non.

“This is European Farmer,” Carmen said, draining her wineglass. “First time I’ve tried it. Pretty good, too.”

Shayla shuddered. “I’ll just stick with my wine,” she told her friends.

“Me, too.” Maddie raised her nearly empty glass. “Beer is better than blood, at least for me.”

“I beg to differ.” When she took another sip, Carmen deliberately flashed her fangs. As she’d known it would, this made the other two laugh.

Though Maddie had to be at work the next morning, the three of them ended up staying until last call. Shayla had switched from alcohol to seawater, though Maddie had continued to drink beer. She claimed her Shifter metabolism gave her a higher tolerance. This seemed true, since in all the time Shayla had known her, she’d never seen Maddie even tipsy.

Carmen stood, drawing several men’s eyes. Tall and slender, her vivid good looks matched her personality. No one, upon first meeting her, ever suspected her to be a Vampire. She delighted in this and exploited it whenever she could.

“I’ll walk you two out,” Carmen said, showing her teeth. Due to the obscure location of Broken Chains, they had to walk through some sketchy areas of Galveston before they could even catch sight of a cab. And Shayla refused to set foot on the bus. Something about going around the island driven by a complete stranger while packed into a bus with other total strangers made her entire body feel out of tune. Plus, the buses stopped running at eleven thirty. Since tourist season had started, there would be tons of cabs the closer they got to Broadway.

Shayla and Maddie nodded. Carmen knew how much they appreciated her help. More than once they’d been accosted by a human male with bad intent. Though Shayla had taken to carrying a pistol with her, using it would draw more attention than she wanted to deal with. Ditto with Maddie shape-shifting into a Wolf.

Carmen, on the other hand, had no objection to getting a little fresh blood if she had to. Self-defense, she called it. She never took enough to mortally wound anyone, just to weaken them. She’d explained to her friends that not everyone bitten by her would automatically become a Vampire. She had to consciously choose that path, releasing an enzyme when she bit. So far, she’d never made another Vampire. She claimed she wasn’t sure if she ever would.

Which explained why there weren’t a lot more Vampires running around Houston and areas south of there.