Read Skin Walkers: Gauge for Free Online Page B

ally in whatever it is she’s hiding from.”  He held up his hands, “I don’t want to hurt her, Stoney.  I’m offering my assistance here.”
    “Why?” Stoney growled, “What’s in it for you?”
    He dropped his hands, “Why does anything have to be in it for me?  She’s my employee.  She’s female and she’s a mother.  Isn’t that enough?”
    “I understand the male Walker’s predilection for protecting females, but I’ll take care of her.  She’s my sister, not your angel.  Leave us alone, Gauge.  Just…” she shook her head, “stay out of it.  If you push too hard or dig too deep, she’ll run.”  Stoney’s expression turned haunted, “She’s been running so long.  I promised her she’d be safe here, that she could rest here.”  Her lip peeled back to reveal elongated incisors and her eyes darkened to a fully matte black as she snarled a warning.  “Do not make her run!” 
    Then she was gone, leaving Gauge in his office with more questions than answers.  
    ***
    By the time Ella returned from lunch, Gauge was in full blown remorse over his harsh treatment.  Exiting his office he saw her body tense as he entered the reception area and slowly approached.  “Ms. Garret?”
    She didn’t look up from her typing, “What can I do for you, Mr. Alexander?”
    Look at me, damn it!   He willed her silently, but she kept her head down.  “I wanted to apologize for my line of questioning earlier.”
    “No need to apologize, sir.”
    “I was out of line, and…”
    “And it’s not a big deal.”  She looked up with a false smile, “No harm done.”
    “I’m glad,” he wasn’t buying her false sweetness.  “Harm wasn’t my intent.  I’d like to make it up to you.”
    “No need, sir.”  She was back to staring at her monitor.
    “I insist.  Why don’t you let me treat you and Alysa to dinner tonight?”
    “You don’t need to do that, sir.”
    “Look,” his tone became frustrated, “will you stop typing for two seconds and look at me?”
    Ella’s fingers s tilled and she slowly lifted her head.  Looking at him, he seemed so sincerely that Ella felt a stab of guilt at not granting him the opportunity to apologize.  
    “I know I don’t need to make amends, but I’d like to.”  His lips cocked in an almost smile, “Give a guy a chance?  Let me take you and Alysa out?”
    “We don’t go out in town.”  She was too terrified of Alysa’s father, Anthony, finding them. 
    “So we’ll dine here,” he countered quickly.
    Why do I feel like I’m going to regret this?  “O-okay.”
    “Great,” she was rewarded with a beaming smile that stole her breath.  “I’ll set it up and get you the details.”
    ***
    Periodically, a representative from the state’s Fish Wildlife and Parks department visited the Estate to perform an inspection of the wildlife habitats, barn, and stables to ensure that the wildlife kept on the preserve was being adequately cared for and treated.
    Little did the FWP department or any state representative for that matter know that their periodic visits were planned well in advance.  Brooklyn, the estate’s Events Director, went to great lengths to plan and pose the smooth running wildlife preserve and rehabilitation facility that StoneCrow professed to be.  During each inspection, Walkers were assigned to the pens where they would shift and play the part of the injured and healing animals that were purported to be housed within the refuge. 
    Today, the FWP representative would be inspecting the facility.  Brooklyn had staged the pens well in advance of the representative’s arrival to ensure the highest possible return on the investment of her time.  While the staged pens and Walkers were set up, local media, the Estate’s school children, and those assigned to the daycare would also tour the facility.  The display was a source of constant disagreement between Monroe and Brooklyn, but she’d successfully convinced him