Fall With Me (UIC 2022)

9 - Family Secrets

Caleb pulled into his driveway and got out of his car. His muscles ached and he still smelled like soot and chemicals. All he wanted to do was take a long shower and fall asleep until his next shift.

"Caleb?"

He turned around, keys dangling from his hand as his father crossed the yard. "Hey," Caleb greeted. "What's up?"

Ryan Stillwater's lips were set in a thin line and he shook his head. "I'm sorry, son, but your grandfather wants to see you."

Caleb stiffened as if he'd been dunked in a giant vat of ice water. "W-why?"

"I don't know. I told him that you had a long day, but he insisted."

A wave of vertigo crashed into Caleb and he stumbled, bracing one hand on his car to steady himself. "Is it about Sawyer?" he whispered, pressing his other hand against his racing heart. "I can't have him find out, Dad—I just can't ..."

"Steady, Caleb," his father said, reaching out and wrapping an arm around his son's shoulders. "It could be something trivial for all we know."

Slowly, Caleb nodded. "Where is he? At the casino?"

His father nodded, the muscles of his jaw tightening. Of course Owen Stillwater would choose to have a "family" meeting at the casino. "Look, if you're tired, I'll drive you. I don't want you getting into an accident."

Caleb started to decline, but a large yawn chose that moment to escape his lips. "Yeah, I think that you'd better."

"My truck or yours?"

Caleb glanced at the Charger; he didn't allow anyone to drive his car, but he really didn't want to hike all the way up to the main house. Reluctantly, he handed his father the keys. Dad flashed him a little grin and they climbed into the car.

"Whatever you do," Dad cautioned as they drove into the city, "don't give your grandfather any hints about Sawyer. Play dumb."

Mutely, Caleb nodded, nerves slowly unraveling. He could only sit there and pray that the alpha didn't feel the need to unleash his Authority. If that happened, he was done for.

Dad pulled the Charger into the VIP lot in the garage and parked it in his designated spot—right next to Owen's black Range Rover. They got out of the car and entered the elevator lobby, taking a car to the casino floor. As the doors opened, Caleb was hit with a cacophony of sounds, assaulting his already frayed senses.

Quickly, the two werewolves crossed the casino floor and ducked into an employee entrance. Nodding to employees, they entered a private elevator at the end of the hall and rode it to the very top of the building.

Passing cubicles and black office doors, they reached a large steel door with a harried-looking female werewolf sitting at a desk outside. She looked up, jumping slightly in her chair as recognition dawned in her grey eyes.

"Do you need to see your father, sir?" the blonde asked, surprise giving way to appreciation as she looked Caleb up and down.

Ryan Stillwater snorted softly. "No, he asked to see my son."

"I'll let the Alpha know you're here." She reached down to grab her phone, never taking her eyes off of Caleb.

His father laid a hand on Caleb's shoulder. "I'll be waiting in my office when you're done."

Swallowing, Caleb nodded.

"You can go in," the secretary said, gesturing to the door.

Thanking the woman, Caleb stepped forward, wrapped his hand around the door handle, and entered his grandfather's office.