Bearly Holding On Read Online Free

exchange for a few bottles of whiskey.”
    “I want you to know,” Awen warned, placing her notepad back in her pocket, “if this doesn't check out, you're the closest thing I’ve got to a lead. If I were you, I wouldn't go anywhere.”
    “What if I do?” he purred, brushing a hair out of her eyes. “Will you put your hands on me? Rough me up a bit?”
    Her body warmed at his brief touch, but she knew what he was doing. She couldn't just feed into his intimidation. She slammed a boot down hard on his toes; he grunted in pain and stepped back.
    “You've got fire,” he admired, chuckling at her. “I like you.”
    “Let's just hope I get to continue liking you,” she answered, walking toward her father.
    Did I really mean to say it like that? she thought as her father put his arm around her back, leading her away from the cabin.
    Mati watched as the pair of them walked away. His dark and keen eyes took in her every movement. She was graceful, just like her namesake, and beautiful to boot. The cursed beast in him began to rise to the surface, fiercely longing for her to come back, but he quelled it. He had had hundreds of years to practice, after all.
    He hadn’t expected the police to actually find the trail that led to the kill site; moreover, he hadn't counted on a Native American being one of them, let alone such a stunningly beautiful one. He shrugged his shoulders and walked back inside.
    I'll just have to do better next time, he thought as he closed the door behind him.

CHAPTER TWO
     
    Awen found herself thinking about Mati on the way back to the reservation. He was very intimidating, and more than a little flirtatious.
    Not that I really minded that, she thought. I really hope he's not the one responsible for this.
    “What do you think, Awen?” her father asked, interrupting her thoughts.
    She was silent for a moment. She couldn't really say anything until she checked out his alibi.
    “I think I need to check out his story,” she answered honestly. “Can't really say much until I do that. If it doesn't check out, then we have some digging to do. I’ll have to get to the bottom of it. If the man was actually trying to harm the girl, then that makes things all the more complex.”
    “Hmm,” he muttered in agreement.
    They reached the reservation in silence and headed back into the house. The smell of a fresh roast filled the house, bringing back so many memories of her childhood. Unfortunately, duty called and she couldn't stay.
    “It was really nice being back,” Awen told her parents. “I have some work to do. If you don't mind, though, then I'd like to come and see you both soon.”
    “Of course!” her mother answered enthusiastically. “We'd love that!”
    Keme nodded his head as his daughter began to walk out the door.
    “I love you, Mom, Dad,” Awen said, giving them both a hug as she left.
    Keme patted her back awkwardly. “I'll walk you out,” he said, following quickly behind her.
    Awenasa stepped out onto the porch into the cool evening air as her father closed the door behind them. She scuffed her boot nervously against the old wood beneath her feet. She missed this place more than she thought she would. Her father cleared his throat gruffly, staring at something off in the distance.
    “I was...ah...proud of you today, Awenasa,” he said, resting a hand on her shoulder. “It brought me great joy, watching the way you handled yourself with that man.”
    Awen looked at her father with surprise. She didn't expect this from him. Maybe he was finally coming around.
    “You looked that hulk of a man in the eyes—a man who may have taken a life—and you handled yourself bravely,” he continued, sparing her a glance. “You earned my respect today. Especially when you stamped his overgrown foot in the dirt.”
    She grinned at him, sheepishly dipping her head in embarrassment. When she looked up at him, he had a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye.
    “You brought me honor