Owned by the Wolf (Marked Mates Book 1)

by Jinx Neale

  Zane straightened, his brows snapped together in a frown. “Hold up, Faith. A man is never entitled to assault a woman. Never, no matter who the woman is or what she does.”

  This time, Faith’s tears trickled down her cheeks. “You’re right. I’m sorry I’m being so emotional. I’m just not used to having someone take my side, without question.”

  Zane moved so swiftly. He was beside her in a flash, pulling her into a comforting embrace. Her head dropped onto his broad shoulder. He smelled wonderful, fresh and wild, like the forest.

  Faith dug a tissue from her pocket and wiped her eyes. With some reluctance, she straightened after a moment, leaving the comfort of Zane’s arms. She was a big girl, Faith reminded herself. Taking care of her own problems was job one. There had never been anyone else around to help her out.

  “You still have that headache?” Zane Hunter didn’t miss a trick.

  “How did you know?” Faith asked.

  “You keep wincing. You take something for it?”

  “It’s in my purse.”

  Zane walked over to the hall table and rummaged for her pills. He snapped the cover and took one out, offering it to her on his palm in a strangely intimate gesture.

  “Thanks.” Faith accepted the pill and swallowed it down with a sip of tea.

  “You hungry?”

  Faith shook her head. “I just want to sleep.”

  “You go on,” Zane told her. “I’ll take the couch.”

  She stared at him. “You want to stay here? I don’t even know you.”

  “You’re safe with me, Faith. It’s Alton I’m not so sure about. Seems like the kind of dick who would stop by your house to harass you.”

  “He is, but…”

  Zane pushed her gently down the hall. “Quite worrying. You go sleep and I’ll keep watch.”

  Faith hesitated long enough for Zane to swing her up in his arms, as easily as if she was a child. She longed to lean against his broad, muscled chest again, but that would be weak—and she needed to be strong. “Put me down,” she demanded.

  “No.”

  Zane strode down the hall, and Faith allowed herself to relax in his arms, enjoying their warm strength. He was a man who protected women, not preyed upon them. The long line of his throat was close enough to kiss and, Lord, she was tempted. He smelled so damned good. No, that was a road she wouldn’t go down, no matter how much she wanted to. Faith couldn’t take being let down again. Her heart wouldn’t stand it. Her body didn’t care—it was already all in, her fingers curving into his collar, savoring the softness of his dark hair.

  There was only one bedroom in her tiny house, and Zane walked in, depositing her gently on the bed. Faith removed her arm from his neck as he set her down. His ice-blue eyes were warm with understanding, as if he knew what she was feeling. It was all so confusing. She ached to pull him down into the bed, opening her legs wide to receive him.

  “Careful, Faith,” he murmured and smoothed back her tumbled hair.

  She scooted back on the bed, ashamed of her body’s reaction. But he only smiled and tapped her nose playfully. “Good night, Faith.”

  “Good night.”

  She was too tired to think about anything right now, especially the attractions of Zane Hunter. Untying her robe, Faith dropped it on the floor, crawling under the covers and falling asleep without even turning out the light.

  Chapter Two

  The pounding on the door brought Faith back from a troubled sleep, full of dark dreams. It was early, barely dawn judging from the gray light outside her window. Who in hell was calling on her at this hour? She heard sock-clad feet padding down the hall and the creak of the front door opening.

  A furious male voice assaulted her ears. “Where’s the bitch?”

  An answering rumble, also male, made her insides quiver. Zane Hunter. He must have stayed all night—just as he had promised. Faith fumbled for her robe, tying it tightly around her waist, and groped for her slippers under the bed. This was her house. If there was trouble, she had to know what it was.

  The angry visitor was Alton Lynch, looking the worse for wear. Dried blood crusted his nose and mouth. He looked like he had recently climbed out of a ditch.

  Faith drew a deep breath and stepped into his view. “What are you doing here, Alton?”

  He stabbed a dirty finger at her. “This is all your fault, you little slut. Leading me on, teasing me.”

  Faith, her courage rising with the comfort of Zane’s presence beside her, eyed Alton scornfully. “You are so full of shit. I wouldn’t give you the time of day, let alone anything else.”

  Alton’s mouth opened and closed. The contempt in her voice had shocked him. Yeah, she wasn’t the same girl he’d known back in the day.

  “Get out of here, Alton, and I won’t press charges.”

  “You charge me?” Alton’s face twisted. “Don’t make me laugh. I didn’t do anything wrong. You wanted it.”

  Faith saw red. She was done cringing. She started for him, wanting to smash his smug, entitled face. Two large hands gripped her waist and set her firmly behind him. She fought to get past Zane’s broad back.

  “Stay put,” Zane growled over his shoulder. “I’ll deal with the douche.”

  “Listen, bud, I don’t know who the fuck you think you are, but I’m Alton Lynch and my father owns this town. The girl is mine, so get out of my way.”

  Faith heard the amusement in Zane’s voice. “Or what?”

  “Or I’ll have you run out of town.”

  Zane shrugged. “I don’t live in town.”

  “Fine, you smug bastard. Then I’ll have Faith fired and you arrested.”

  “Yeah?” Zane’s smile was a flash of teeth. “You going to arrest me? I don’t think a gutless little whiner like you is up to the task.”

  Alton made a sound of outrage and launched himself at Zane, who sidestepped him easily. Alton stumbled into the hall, teetering for a moment before he collapsed on the rug. Zane grabbed his collar and hauled the younger man outside, Faith wincing as Alton’s body hit each step on his way down. He lay sprawled on the concrete walkway, glaring up at Zane, who pressed a large, booted foot down on his chest while Alton squirmed, trying to free himself. Zane simply pushed down harder.

  “I’m going to explain a few things to you—Alton, is it? This is a big, wide world we live in, and you and your daddy and this town are only a very small part of it. I’m not beholden to you or your daddy. I’m not a nice man or a patient one. I won’t excuse your piss-poor upbringing or the weakness that allows you to bully and assault women. The one thing I will do is give you a chance—just one. You leave Faith alone and we’re good. You come after her and you’re dead.” Zane prodded Alton with his boot. “That clear enough for you?”

  Alton’s face bloomed almost purple with outrage and hurt pride. He thrust Zane’s boot away and leaped up, swaying on his feet. Faith wanted to laugh, but that would just aggravate the situation.

  “You don’t tell me what to do!” Alton fumed.

  Zane shrugged. “I kind of just did. Now get out of here. I’m sick of looking at your over-privileged face.”

  Alton clenched his fists, almost speechless with rage. “I’ll fix you, you bastard!”

  “I really don’t think so. Run along, daddy’s boy. The grownups have things to do.”

  Alton spun around and sprinted down the driveway to his Porsche. He drove away in a cloud of gravel, and Faith sagged against the door. “He won’t forget that,” she warned Zane.

  He turned to look at her, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “That’s the plan.”

  “Why would you aggravate him? Alton is quite capable of doing everything he threatened—taking away my job, having you arrested. The cops in this town are all in his father’s pocket.”

  “A sneaky little dick like him is going come after me anyway. I just made it irresistible for him to do it out in the open. Easier for me to take care of him that way. I like things above board and r
eal clear.”

  Faith shook her head. “I don’t get why you’re doing this.”

  “I told you.” Zane moved closer. “I don’t like the way he treated you. You’re under my protection now.”

  Faith’s pulse thudded in her throat. Zane’s words felt like they held so much weight. She stepped back. “I don’t need your help, but thanks anyway. I can deal with Alton.”

  Zane folded his gorgeous arms over his chest. “I get that you’re tough and independent. I appreciate those qualities. But a snake like Alton Lynch will always play dirty. Let me deal with him.” His voice softened. “Please.”

  Faith shook her head. “Look, I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. But I should get to work. If you’d excuse me…” She retreated down the hall.

  A sudden grin lightened his features. “So, you’re giving me the bum’s rush, after all I’ve done for you. Consider me crushed.” Zane followed her down the hall. “Go take your shower. I’ll make breakfast.”

  “I don’t eat breakfast.”

  “You do today.” He gave her a gentle shove. Faith sputtered a little, but still found herself in the bathroom, turning on the water. The man was so bossy, so managing. She stepped under the hot spray. So why was she doing exactly as he told her to do? Zane Hunter was an irresistible force, rolling over her objections until she ended up doing exactly what he wanted. It was infuriating. And, to be honest, kind of hot.

  * * *

  Somehow, Zane had conjured a delicious-looking omelet out of the dregs of food in her fridge. He brushed off Faith’s thanks and told her he was driving her in to work.

  “I can drive myself.”

  Zane buttered the toast. “Your abilities are not in question. I’d feel better if I went with you.”

  “Zane, you are being ridiculous.”

  “Better ridiculous than you getting hurt. I wouldn’t put it past Lynch to get his revenge on the road.”

  Faith opened her mouth to continue arguing. Zane ignored her, forking up a piece of omelet and holding it to her lips. Her nose twitched. It smelled fantastic.

  “Just one bite,” he coaxed her.

  “Fine.” Faith opened her mouth and he slid the morsel of food between her lips. There was definitely something erotic about a man feeding a woman, especially this man. “It’s fantastic.”

  Zane gave her a smug smile. “I told you I could cook.”

  Faith managed a few more bites, but she was too nervous to finish eating. She drained her glass of juice and stood up. “Well, thanks for everything. I should get going.”

  Zane set down his fork. “You do recall that I’m driving you, right?”

  Faith heaved a long-suffering sigh. “Yeah, I remember. Let’s go.”

  Out in the driveway, she tried once more. “I want to take my car.”

  Zane shook his head. “We talked about this already. Just get in the truck, Faith.”

  And damned if she didn’t meekly do just that. How did Zane do it? She was still muttering under her breath when Zane piled into the driver’s seat and slammed his door shut. “And quit complaining,” he told her.

  Faith opened her mouth. Zane shot her a look, and she shut it again. He was so damned annoying. “Fine.”

  The drive to the diner took less than ten minutes. Faith wondered how she was going to get home after her shift. Maybe Clint could give her a lift. Zane pulled up at the back and killed the engine. “I’ll wait.”

  Faith pulled her purse strap over her shoulder. “For eight hours?”

  “Faith, Clint is not going to want to upset Lynch Senior. He’ll probably ask you to take some time off.”

  The hint of pity in his voice raised her hackles. “I’ll be fine,” she said stiffly.

  “I’m sure you will. I’ll wait.”

  “Suit yourself.” She walked up the crumbling back steps and into the kitchen. Cliff was peeling potatoes. His back stiffened when the door swung open and he turned around reluctantly.

  “Faith. I wasn’t sure if you’d be in.”

  Clint’s frown was even deeper today. Zane was right.

  Faith’s fingers tightened on her purse strap. She needed this job. “I can leave if my being here is going to cause problems for you.”

  “Faith, I’m sorry. Jared Lynch called me this morning. He threatened to call in my mortgage if I don’t let you go.”

  Faith’s laugh was bitter. “Of course, Alton always gets what he wants. That hasn’t ever changed.”

  “I have your last pay along with two weeks’ severance for lack of notice.” Clint fumbled with the drawer and pulled out a wrinkled envelope.

  She opened it and pulled out a wad of bills. “Clint, it’s too much.”

  He shook his head. “Least I can do. I’m sorry to cave to Lynch like this, but I got no choice. This diner is the only thing I have.”

  “I get it, Clint, and I understand. I liked working with you.”

  He nodded. “Same here. I’d be pleased to give you a reference.”

  “That means a lot. Bye, Clint.”

  Faith picked up her extra sweater hanging on a hook and was out the door. She stomped over to the truck where Zane waited for her. Tears prickled in her eyes. Damn Alton Lynch. She swerved away from Zane and started for the highway. She would damn well walk home if she wanted to. It was less than a minute before Zane slowed down beside her.

  “Faith, get in the truck. I’ll drive you home.”

  She shook her head, lips set in a thin line and kept walking. A car zipped past Zane, honking furiously.

  “Faith! It’s dangerous to walk here.”

  “Don’t care.” She kept walking.

  Zane swore. “If you don’t get in the truck, I’ll get out and haul you over my knee right here.”

  “I thought you said a man was never entitled to assault a woman.”

  “I’m talking about discipline, not assault,” Zane snapped. “Wherein the male, which would be me, spanks the woman, which would be you, for reckless, dangerous, or just stupid behavior.”

  Faith sighed. “Go away, Zane. You’re not my boyfriend. You’ve done enough.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “I lost my job,” she said bitterly.

  “Because of Lynch.”

  “Well, maybe if you hadn’t humiliated him, Alton wouldn’t have been so hell-bent on getting back at me,” Faith fired back.

  Zane snorted. “Really? That’s what you think? Would you prefer I let Alton rape you in the parking lot?”

  “He wasn’t planning to rape me,” she muttered.

  “You know that for a fact? Because I wouldn’t put it past him.”

  Of course, Zane was right, not that she’d admit it. A big semi zoomed past, too close for comfort. Damn, he was right about this too. Walking on a highway was dangerous, and she was putting Zane at risk.

  Faith halted, and Zane immediately pulled in behind her. She got into the truck and slammed the door. “Fine.” Just because he was on the nose about Alton didn’t mean she had to like it.

  Zane pulled out onto the highway and glanced over, his blue eyes full of concern. “I’m sorry about everything that happened to you, Faith.”

  “Thanks, I appreciate that. Regardless, I’m still out of a job.” And soon to be homeless without any income to pay the rent on her tiny house.

  Zane sent her a wicked grin that made her pulse race. “Well, I may have a solution to that.”

  * * *

  “You need to pack a bag and come and stay with me,” Zane told her.

  Faith gawked at him. “Are you kidding me? I have a house. Besides, I barely know you.”

  “And you trust me.”

  Damn. That smile of his could melt panties. “I…”

  Zane sighed. “Faith, you trusted me to keep you safe last night. You let me stay in your home.”

  “Because I didn’t think you would listen if I asked you to leave.”

  “Come on, Faith. Let’s not play games. Alton Lynch
has you in his sights now. If I leave you alone in that house, the next thing he does will be to come after you again. You know that’s true.”

  She did. It was exactly what Alton would do. He couldn’t bear to be shown up in any way and Zane had humiliated him right in front of her. In Alton’s twisted brain, that meant she had to pay.

  Faith sighed. “Yeah, I do. I am screwed six ways to Sunday.”

  “You’re not. Stay with me for a few days until this blows over.”

  She raised a skeptical brow. “You think that will happen?”

  “Can you trust me to deal with Lynch?” Zane glanced over at her. “I have more experience dealing with guys like him than you do.”

  “I don’t even know where you live.”

  “I have a cabin up on the mountain. It’s quiet, and you’ll be safe there.”

  Faith wavered. The events of the past twenty-four hours had been unnerving, to say the least.

  “Give me a couple of days to sort out this mess, and I’ll get off your case.” Zane’s voice was warm, persuasive. “Forty-eight hours and I’ll be out of your hair. I promise.”

  “Fine.” The truth was, Faith did trust him. Working in bars and restaurants, she’d developed a sense of who was bent. You had to, to live alone like she did—but that didn’t mean she had to listen to him.

  Zane gave a brief nod. He must have expected her to agree, damn him. They drove the rest of the way in silence. He parked the truck and accompanied her inside.

  “Make yourself at home,” Faith said casually. “I’ll need a few minutes to pack.”

  “You want coffee?”

  “Sure.”

  That would keep him busy and buy her the time she needed. Zane strode down the hall to her tiny kitchen, as Faith hurried into the bedroom, grabbing a carryall and stuffing it full of clothes. Stowing the file folder of personal documents on top, she zipped it shut. Faith tiptoed to the bedroom door and listened to the subdued murmur of the coffee machine and the clink of china. The man did know his way around a kitchen. It wasn’t enough. She wasn’t safe in Tilney Mills anymore and she was getting out of here.