Matt's scent wafted into the humid bathroom. I went back to dabbing hot water on my bruised cheek. His large feet scuffed across the white tiles and stopped in front of the tub. He crouched down, scooping his head to get a better view. His stoic expression reminded me so much of Seth that I wanted to push him away. He touched his hand to the back of mine, moving the cloth away from my face. A wince twisted his lips.
"Do you love me?” he asked.
My jaw dropped. “You jackass, of course I love you. What the hell kinda ques—"
His delicious lips cut me off with a kiss. My hand splashed down in the water for balance. His tongue slid inside my mouth and coiled around mine. The surprise kiss lulled me into a depth of tranquility. His hand massaged my scalp, soft and thick, eliciting a string of sensual images in my head. When he pulled out, he left me sighing and missing him already.
"You're driving me crazy,” he mumbled. “Why didn't you get help? Vaughn and Aiyana only stopped off for some ice cream cones to give us more time to talk. You could have caught up to them and saved yourself."
I half-smiled. “How's your head?"
He pulled away, a smile reminiscent of my own surveying my face again. “It's just a bump. I'll live.” After a slight pause, he continued. “I know I've said it one too many times ... but do you know how much I love you? It pisses me off, knowing that you'd risk life and limb for me."
"You're going to have to live with it, because I won't compromise."
Matt scowled and stood. I clutched his hand to keep him from walking away. Using him as leverage, I pulled myself out of the tub. Lukewarm water sloshed around my calves and dripped off my wrinkled skin. The cold air hardened my nipples and gooseflesh perked my pores. Seconds ticked away as I searched his unwavering eyes.
"I won't compromise,” I repeated. “Some things are just as inbred for me as they are for you. Protecting my mate and, if necessary, dying by his side is one of them."
He sighed and cupped my face in his hands. “Then I'm asking you to be extra careful. Can you at least meet me on that? If that sick bastard had—"
"I'm glad you made me bring those crutches.” I regarded them on the floor next to the shower. One remained in perfect condition. The one I used on Decker had a missing arm pad and a few lost screws. “At least I finally put them to good use."
Matt chuckled. It bounced off the bathroom walls and his bowing smile ebbed some of tonight's agony, putting it in perspective. He grabbed a thick white towel off a nearby hook and encased me inside. Crushing me to his chest, he snuggled the top of my wet head in the nook of his chin. Touching his heated body comforted me for the first time in what seemed like forever. Thank goodness I had rescinded my decision about going home to my parents. I smoothed my cheek over his chest, pressing tender kisses into his soft cotton tee. Ignoring the throb on my face, I turned my nose into his shirt and inhaled his scent through the laundered fibers. Oh man, did I want his luscious scent covering me.
He began on the top of my head, pressing a series of kisses down the side as he used his nose to memorize my scent. I tilted my head upward and his lips met mine. His large hands cupped my lower back as he pulled me tighter.
A choked scream muffled inside our mouths. Those large hands of his stung my lower back. Matt pulled away, face etched in anxiety.
"What's wrong?” he asked.
"Uh ... nothing,” I lied. I tightened my jaw and smiled—maybe a tad too big.
He pulled me into his chest, peered over my shoulder, and lifted my towel. I knew werewolves could sniff out injuries like a bloodhound, but moments like these made me wonder if it went deeper with Matt. He zeroed in on my lower back, exposing my derriere to the cold room. His warm fingers gently pressed into my sore skin and muscles as he examined the wound.
"You've got zigzag bruises and scrapes along your back,” he said.
"Now that you know, why are you spending so much time back there?"
He smacked me on my bare-skinned bottom. I shrieked at the sting.
He chuckled. “That's for putting me through this mess in the first place."
I laughed and pushed him away, staggering on my uninjured foot. “You ragweed."
He smoothed his hands through my black tangles. “Damn. I was looking forward to screwing your brains out after we made up."
"We can still do that."
"Oh, really? I think not, Miss Bruised and Battered. I'm not screwing you until I know you're in one piece. As it is, you're going to need a month's worth of bed rest by the time I'm through with you."
A knock resounded from our bedroom. Matt shouted for the person to come in as he helped me out of the water. Aiyana appeared at the bathroom door. She glanced between the two of us as if to measure the situation before smiling.
"There's a man downstairs for you,” she said, meeting my eyes. “It's that guy from tonight."
Matt snorted. “She's busy. Tell him to come back tomorrow."
"Matt,” I warned.
"Better yet, tell him she's recuperating from a romp-fest and doesn't want to be bothered."
"Would you stop?"
"No.” He opened the linen closet and pulled out a heating pad and our first-aid bag. “You promised me you'd be careful, so I'm going to hold you to it. Starting now."
Actually, I hadn't consented to anything, but stirring the troubled waters after getting this argument resolved didn't seem wise. “What's Dane going to do?"
"I don't know, but I know you're not leaving this house tonight. If he wants someone to go after that rogue-crazed bastard, then he'd better find another recruit. I'm putting your butt to bed and that's the end of it. Case closed."
Not saying another word, he gestured to Aiyana. She gummed her bowed lips together and slid her arm around my lower back. I yipped in pain and pulled away. Matt tilted his head and arched an eyebrow. Restraining from saying “I told you so", he pointed towards the bedroom. My jaw tightened to keep from saying anything nasty. Aiyana offered her arm and escorted me out of the bathroom.
She and Matt cleaned and dressed my myriad of scrapes, applied ice packs where needed, and tucked me under the covers. The moment I relaxed, Matt daunted me with that miserable boot cast. I should have thrown it in the garbage along with the clothes Decker stank up. My foot was puffed a little on the top and slightly tender to the touch, but my ankle felt as good as new. I wanted to keep ice packs on my foot, but Matt threatened to call Bryce for consent. After his last tirade, there was no telling what he'd do if he knew I'd chucked the boot off before the scheduled time. Better yet, I didn't want to rehash tonight's events and have him rushing over here to administer more first aid. Pouting, I let Matt snap the boot back in place.
Once they had me situated, they left the bedroom. I waited for the first thump down the stairs before making my move. Folding back the comforter, I eased my aching body off the mattress and crept to the bedroom door. The chilly air made me want to backtrack for a robe, but my need to eavesdrop overruled it. The extra large tee would have to do. Voices in the living room gripped my attention.
"She's not coming down,” Matt shouted. “It's been a long day for all of us. Especially her."
"I just want to make sure she's okay,” Dane said. “I wouldn't do anything to hurt her, Matt, you know that."
"Then why can't you take my word for it? Lex's been through more than anyone should ever have to go through."
"You don't think I know that?"
"Then why are you here? You knew Decker would pay us a visit, so you decided to use my wife as bait? What the hell kind of sick tyrant are you?"
"Matt,” Aiyana warned. “This doesn't help. What we should be doing is making sure Alexa's safe."
"We can't bring her to the den,” Vaughn said, deep mellow voice reverberating throughout the house. “Seth put his foot down on that."
"If she's not welcome at your house, then she can stay at ours,” Riley said. “Angel belonged to us before she was ever you anyway."
I
rolled my eyes. Good way to win friends and influence people, Riley. Throw some fireworks into the fire.
"Like the hell she will,” Matt roared. “Your dumbass Club is what started all this shit in the first place. Give me one reason why I shouldn't kick your ass across the state border right now."
I closed my eyes. The throbbing wormed back into my cheek and threatened to move into my temples.
"Matt!” Aiyana shouted. “Would you stop acting like a jerk and just go somewhere to cool off? You're not helping."
"This is my house and my wife we're talking about. I'm not going anywhere, and neither is she."
"Can we get back to the problem or is that too much to ask?” Dane said. He paused. “Right now, Decker is out there. If he's killed one person, then he'll kill again. This is Georgia Pack territory and I respect that. That's why I want to do it by the book."
"Why?” Vaughn asked. “Is it because you let your guard down and let this maniac live? If you had been on the ball and burned his ass at the stake, we wouldn't be having this conversation."
"Hear hear,” Matt agreed.
I had heard enough. They couldn't gang up on my Alpha and think I wouldn't have something to say about it.
Hobbling out of the bedroom, I dragged my booted foot down the stairs. The bickering continued, but by the time I reached the middle landing, it had stopped. Matt marched down the hallway from the kitchen and found me on the staircase. The others followed. I cheesed a smile so big that it hurt my sore face. He returned a scowl and pointed at the bedroom door.
"No,” he shouted. “Go back to bed."
"Matt—"
"No.” He skirted the banister and made the middle landing in two leaps. He snaked his arm around my waist and tried pulling me up the stairs. “This discussion doesn't concern you."
I hooked my hands around the banister to keep from going anywhere. “How can you say that? If everyone is so worried about my safety, then this has everything to do with me."
Matt tripped, tussling with me on the steps. “You're the last person concerned for your own safety because you're too busy worrying about everyone else."
"I agree,” Dane said.
I stopped struggling and turned to him. “How can you take his side?"
A smiled stretched his face. He leaned against the banister and gazed at me. “Because you wouldn't be on those steps about to run to my rescue if you weren't. You'd be in bed where you belong."
I narrowed my eyes. “In case you haven't noticed, you're fighting a losing battle. You need all the help you can get."
"I'm fighting a losing battle? In case you missed something in your snooping, we're all agreed on wanting to keep you safe from Decker. I think that's the best decision we've come to. Looking out for your best interests."
"He's got a point,” Matt said.
I turned my astonished gaze on him. “I can't believe this. You two are ganging up on me."
Matt scooped me in his arms, ignoring my painful yelps. He thumped up the steps and whisked me off to our bedroom. I squirmed in his arms until I made eye contact with Dane, pleading for his help. He sighed and followed us upstairs. Matt marched across the bedroom and sat me against my heating pad. He pulled the comforter over my legs and hips as Dane arrived at the threshold.
Looking over Matt's shoulder I said, “Decker's going after the Georgia Pack."
Matt stopped fluffing my pillows and asked, “How do you know?"
"Because that lunatic wants the contracts on Adam's and Vaughn's heads. He didn't say it in so many words, but he made that much clear. It's the one thing that brought us together in Atlanta in the first place. He's going on a hunt."
Dane ran his fingers through his hair and sauntered into the bedroom. “How much does Seth know?"
"Everything up to what happened tonight,” Matt muttered. His shoulders became taut and a chill entered his eyes.
Just like I wanted to protect my Alpha, I knew Matt felt the need to protect his own pack. Instead of saying anything, he folded his fingers behind his head and fell backwards onto the bed, eyes closed.
Ignoring him, I said, “Look, it doesn't matter how much he knows. Seth won't want our help. He's stubborn and thinks the pack can handle it on their own."
Dane shook his head saying, “No, he isn't. Anyone who asks for help from outsiders shows weakness. Why do you think contracts are handled in complete secrecy and everyone goes by code names? A pack can never find out their Alpha needs help getting rid of a threat or it'll reflect badly on their leadership. Seth is a smart man, so don't underestimate him."
"Won't he want us to clean up our own mess?"
"Yes. But he'll put it in terms of a death threat. Fix the situation or Decker's head won't be the only one rolling."
Riley stepped into the bedroom, obviously thinking my invitation included him. I scowled. Ignoring me, he said, “Then I say we stake out the woods behind their den. We kill Decker before he can peek through the windows. We take his carcass away. End of story."
"Not end of story,” I countered. “If Seth knows we're staking out the woods, he'll see it as a territorial invasion. Planting roots in any part of Georgia is asking for trouble. Setting up a stakeout in Seth's backyard is asking for an on-the-spot lynching."
"Then I'll talk to Seth one-on-one,” Dane said.
"What?!” Riley and I shouted in unison.
"You can't be serious,” I sputtered. “You'll be lucky if he lets you through the front gate and out on your own two feet."
"Angel's right,” Riley said, “I don't know the guy so I don't trust him. He'll see this as our problem and take it out on you. I like my plan better."
"As gaseous as it makes me, for once the dog-face boy and I agree. I don't mind sneaking around in someone else's backyard if that's the best we've got."
"Well, I do,” Dane snapped. “I'm not creeping around pack property without them knowing about it. Cowering behind Seth's back is disrespecting him as a fellow Alpha. I'm not here to make friends, but I'm sure as hell not here to make any enemies either."
Matt chuckled. We stared at him, no one making a move. He clapped his hand to his forehead and his chuckles turned into outright hilarity. Dane, Riley, and I exchanged dumbfounded looks. Pushing back the comforter, I crawled over to him. I remained on my hands and knees, looking down as Matt's laughter trickled off.
"You're all insane,” he said. “This is your guys’ mess so you should clean it up.” He propped himself on his elbows and spoke to the entire room. “If you want to approach Seth face to face, then I'll make sure no one stands in your way. They're my pack now and I'm responsible for keeping them safe even if that means trusting you. But I know my wife won't let you risk your neck without her."
I rested my hand on his chest. “Matt, I won't—"
"No, Lex! I won't budge on this.” He sat all the way up and faced Dane, challenge seeping into his eyes. “She takes no part in this. If Seth lets you stake out the grounds, then you do it without her. I won't risk my wife becoming a cripple because she's obligated to stand by her Alpha. If you need a hand, then I'll go in her place. You tell me what to do and I'll follow it to the letter."
Dane searched his eyes for the longest time before smirking. “I never planned to let her go out there anyway. You married her, so you should know keeping her away is like pushing back a herd of buffalo. Of all the women you could've had, you settle on one of the most stubborn ones I've ever met."
Matt turned and stared at me. “I know. That's why I'll tie her to the bed, if I have to."
"Yeah, well ... let me know if you need a hand holding her down."
I crossed my arms, refusing to look at either one of them. It was my temper tantrum moment and I didn't care who witnessed it. They had ganged up on me again. I wanted them to get along, but not at the expense of bullying me. Maybe they didn't realize it, but if Seth okayed everything, they would have to work together in the field. The thought of them having to watch each other's backs scared m
e more than the prospect of their meeting up with a deranged Decker.
Chapter 44
Riley couldn't believe his eyes when he saw the monstrous mansion. He kept asking how the pack got so rich off one little spa. Dane filled him in on the pack's assets: a franchise in Marietta and another in Savannah in addition to the one in Atlanta. Everyone in the car seemed surprised by his vast knowledge of the Georgia Pack. I reminded them of his role in the Hunting Club. Riley made it a point to pay the spa a proper visit before leaving. At least one of us was thinking positive about getting through this in one piece.
Both Stephan and Aiyana were waiting for us when we pulled into the cul de sac. Everyone else went inside while my two best and dearest friends kept me company. I preferred staying in the car so that Seth couldn't accuse me of breaking any of his beloved rules. After all, Seth had allowed Dane an audience, but didn't say a word about my ban. Stephan wanted me out of the Land Rover so I could spend quality time with them. He said as long as I had a chaperone at all times, there shouldn't be any problems. I believed that crock as much as I believed in the tooth fairy. Still, he scooped me out of the SUV and carried me to the backyard.
A brutal game of football commenced between teams of five. It warmed my insides to see Adam enjoying himself for once and not worrying about stepping on anyone's toes. He gave me a wave, blond locks flapping on the breeze and blue eyes beaming. Seconds later, Jared tackled him to the ground. I laughed. Adam unglued his pretty-boy good looks from the lawn and gave Jared a nod, promising sweet revenge. The three of us sat on the patio steps watching the game from a safe distance.
"You should be here with us,” Aiyana said, leaning her head on my shoulder. “I don't have anything against that other pack. Well ... maybe Riley. I can't stand the way he stares at me with the stupid smile plastered on his face."
Giggling, I entwined my fingers with hers. “In other words, you mean it doesn't feel right having Matt here and not me. Sweetie, you have no idea what I went through the night Seth kicked me out of the house. Believe me; I miss you guys, too."
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