by Lisa Kessler
He clicked the keys, and the locks disengaged on his car. Jason froze, immediately tense at my side.
“Get in the car and lock the doors,” he whispered.
I gripped his hand tighter. “What is it?”
“Get in the car.”
“I’m not leaving you.” I kept my concerns about a concussion to myself. If someone was nearby, I didn’t want him to know Jason was injured.
“It’s you they want.” He walked me to the door and opened it without ever taking his eyes off the parking lot. “Get in. You can be pissed at me later.”
I sat and he slammed the door, clicking the locks from his keys. I strained my eyes, wishing I had his vision, and hearing, and sense of smell. His gifts were at least useful. I wanted to help, not be a weak link he needed to lock away.
But without my pepper spray, and no weapon, that’s exactly what I was.
A man stepped out of the shadows toward Jason. He wore tailored trousers and a form-fitting turtleneck, but I couldn’t make out his face. Again I caught myself wishing I could control my gift on command. I could’ve kept us from walking into this trap.
The glare of the yellow streetlight kept reflecting off of an ugly-looking hunting knife in his hand. I had to do something. I hit Jared’s number on my cell phone, prayed to my honu for Jason’s protection, and loathed myself for putting him in danger.
Chapter Fifteen
JASON
With Kilani locked in the car, I welcomed my wolf closer to the surface. I couldn’t shift my form without the full moon, but I embraced his aggression. This guy with the knife came here for our mate. Physically, I was in no condition to protect her, but he didn’t know that.
Either way, this asshole wasn’t going to lay a finger on her. He’d have to kill me first, and I didn’t feel like dying today. “Not sure why you’re flashing a knife, but if you value your life, you should move along.”
“Cut the crap, Wolf. I know what you are, and unless you’ve lost your sense of smell, you know what I am, too. I don’t have a problem with you or your Pack. I just need the woman.”
I kept my focus on his knife, while I listened for more men on the periphery of the parking lot. “Then I guess we do have a problem, because she’s not going anywhere with you.”
He chuckled and his smile struck me as…familiar. This had to be the brother Sebastian warned us about. His sharp features and dark eyes definitely resembled Sebastian’s, but the smirk triggered something. Had I seen him before?
“I’ll get her one way or the other. I didn’t come all this way to fail.” He tipped his head toward the warehouse. “You’ve been wasting your time and energy brawling, and you’re unarmed. I’m going to get what I came for tonight, but in good faith to your Pack, I’m offering you an out. You can walk away. Take my offer.”
I rolled my shoulders, loosening my aching muscles for one more battle. “The fight club was just a warm-up.”
He was at least four inches shorter than me, and unlike Sebastian, this guy lacked broad shoulders. His torso was stout, and he probably worked out, but he was counting on brute strength. I wasn’t sure how much I had left, but if I could stay away from the blade and keep my head clear so I could think, I’d have a chance.
Shifting the knife from hand to hand, he shrugged. “So be it, but let the record show I tried not to kill your Pack’s doctor.”
I raised a brow, clenching my fingers into fists. “You’ve done your homework.”
“It’s possible I know more about your Pack than you do.”
He still didn’t move in. I glanced toward the entrance of the parking lot. He had to be stalling for time.
“You talk big for a guy who’s waiting on backup. I’d bet you introduced yourself to me prematurely.” I didn’t hesitate. Before he could reply, I knocked him to the ground. Landing on top of him, I grappled for the blade. My instincts screamed to head-butt him and snatch the knife away, but given my recent knockout, I couldn’t risk it. If I lost consciousness, Kilani wouldn’t stand a chance.
Engines hummed in the distance. His team was coming. I needed to get her out of here. I might be able to best one attacker, but werewolf bravado wasn’t going to be enough to stop bullets from Nero mercenaries.
I slammed his wrist against the broken pavement, once, twice, but just as I pried the weapon free, his other fist got loose. He clocked me in the jaw hard enough to ignite stars at the edge of my vision. Gripping the handle of the knife, I slammed it down through his hand and scrambled to my feet as he screamed.
A truck pulled into the lot, followed by a Jeep. Adam’s Jeep. The cavalry had arrived. Jared drove up closer to us and got out of his truck, leaving the engine running. “Get Kilani out of here. We’ve got this.”
“We all need to go. He has a team. They could be here with firepower any minute. He was buying time.”
Aren, my Alpha’s twin brother, jogged over. I watched his bum ankle. Even in a crisis, I couldn’t separate the doctor from myself any more than I could the wolf. And Aren had no business running on this uneven pavement in the dark. “Kilani has the Pack’s protection. Take her someplace safe.”
My attacker was on his feet, blood dripping from the hole in his hand. He brandished his blade, snarling. “If your Alpha values the lives of his wife and children, he should stay out of my business.”
Aren wheeled on him, careful to keep himself more than an arm’s length away from the knife. “Don’t you dare threaten my brother’s family, you pissant. I could kill you before your backup arrives. You’re only alive because we want you to get a message to Nero.”
“I don’t take messages.” He lunged for Aren, and Jared moved in from behind, catching his knife arm. Aren landed a body shot to his abdomen as a black van pulled into the parking lot.
“Shit,” I shouted. “It’s Nero. Get the hell out.”
I rushed to the car, to Kilani, popping the locks and climbing in. Behind me, Aren bellowed at the jaguar, “You tell Nero to leave Reno. Now. We don’t give a shit why you’re here. This is Pack territory. Next trespasser won’t get a warning.”
I slammed the door and started the car. The tires squealed as I punched the gas pedal. “Hold on.”
Her scent filled the interior of the car, reassuring my wolf of her safety. I gunned the engine, glad to see Jared and Adam in my rearview mirror behind me.
Suddenly the passenger side mirror exploded. “Damn it! Get down.”
Kilani bent over, keeping her head out of view, as I cranked the wheel and hit the accelerator. We skidded out onto the old highway. I watched my mirror, holding my breath. Jared’s truck headlights came up behind me.
“Come on, Adam,” I growled, gripping the steering wheel tighter and struggling to watch the road in front and the rearview mirror. Finally another set of lights made the turn. Was it Adam or Nero?
My phone buzzed. I handed it to Kilani. She pressed speaker. “Adam’s out,” Jared said. “Cheney took a hit, but we’re clear.”
Call waiting beeped. Kilani glanced my way. “It says ‘Aren cell.’”
“Gotta run, bro. Thanks for the backup.”
“Thank Kilani. She sent out the SOS.”
I smiled over at her as she clicked on Aren’s call. “Jason. You guys okay?”
“My mirror has seen better days, but we’re fine.”
“Good. Cheney’s got a new battle scar on the back panel, but otherwise we’re good. We’re headed back to the ranch to be sure Lana and the kids are all right. Adam wants you to drive for a while. Be sure you’re not being tailed, then go home. He’d rather not bring Kilani to the ranch and lead Nero to the family.”
“Understood.”
“Adam’s sending backup to your place to keep watch. They should be waiting when you get there.”
“Sounds good. Any word from Sebastian?”
“He called. Adam was talking to him when we got the call from Jared. Luckily Adam’s Alpha senses were tingling, so we were already headed your way.
Adam got the info he needed from Sebastian. We’ll talk soon. Be careful.”
The call ended. I reached over and gave her thigh a squeeze. “Thanks for calling Jared. I should’ve thought of that.”
“You had your hands full.” She stared out the window.
The high of getting away from Nero faded. “Are you pissed at me for locking you in the car?”
“No.” She paused. I waited. Finally, she sighed. “I’m upset that you needed to. You could’ve been killed tonight. Because of me.”
“But I wasn’t, because of you. You called for backup. You’re the hero here.”
She groaned, resting her head back against the headrest. “So the rest of your Pack could be endangered, too. What if those guys from Nero started shooting before everyone drove away?”
“But they didn’t.”
“You don’t understand.”
“No, I don’t.” I kept watch behind us, but so far, no sign of the black van. “So enlighten me.”
“I sat in this car, praying I wouldn’t get a vision of something I didn’t want to see. How pathetic is that? I’m used to getting involved and saving people, helping. I’m not used to being the weakest link. I hate it. I should’ve been protecting you.”
“Protecting me?” I frowned.
“Yes. You were unconscious less than an hour ago. Tussling with that guy was a huge risk. What if you blacked out again?” She covered my hand with hers. “You needed me, and all I could do was sit in the car and make a phone call. I never want to be in that position again.”
Warmth spread through my chest. I’d never met a woman like her. She was pissed because she couldn’t protect me. I wasn’t sure what to say. Instead I pulled off the freeway into a rest stop.
“Why are we stopping?”
I turned off the car and handed her the keys. “We’re not being followed, and I was unconscious twice in the past two nights. I’ve got no business being behind the wheel right now.”
She took the keys, her lips twitching like she might be holding back a grin. “You’re just trying to make me feel better.”
I ran a finger down her cheek until her gaze met mine. “Is it working?”
She rolled her eyes, but her smile broke through. “I can’t believe I’m smiling. We could’ve been killed tonight.”
“But we weren’t. That’s worth a smile, right?”
She nodded. “I guess it is.”
“Thanks for watching my back. You may not think you helped, but calling my brother probably saved our lives tonight.” I lifted her chin, pressing my lips to hers. Her hands glided up my chest. Her touch sparking my desire in spite of my injuries.
She hummed softly into the kiss. “Not safe out here.”
I nodded and stole one more taste of her lips before I straightened. “You’re right.”
We got out and swapped places. She found the seat adjuster and moved it farther forward than it had been since I drove the car off the sales lot. Next she adjusted the mirrors, and I realized this was the first time I’d ever seen her drive. The more time I spent with her, the more it seemed like I’d known her forever. Moments like this reminded me I had so much more to learn.
She merged onto the freeway and finally spared a peek my way. “I have a horrible sense of direction and no clue how to get to your house, so if you’d like to get back there tonight, you better tell me where I’m going.”
My tone deepened a little. “I definitely want to get back there. Soon.”
A sexy, barely there smile pulled at the corner of her mouth, but her attention stayed on the road. “You’re in no condition for the activity you’re implying.”
I chuckled. “Does that mean if I was, you’d be game for said activity?”
She shrugged and wet her lips. “We did just narrowly avoid death. That’s a pretty big turn-on.”
“Making love can be very life-affirming.”
“Calling it that is a lie.” Her smile faltered.
We rode in silence until I pointed out the freeway exit. “Can I ask you something?”
She stopped at the light. “Only if I can ask you something in return.”
“Fair enough.” I covered her hand on the shifter. “Tell me about the asshole doctor who made you so cynical about relationships.”
She glanced my way. “Why?”
“Because I want to understand why we can be laughing or kissing or half naked, and then I say something that makes you think of that dipweed.”
“Dipweed?” She chuckled.
“I can’t take credit for it. It’s my office manager’s word. She prides herself on not cursing.”
“She’s creative.” Kilani shifted her attention my way for a second. “Which way am I going?”
I gave her directions and then prodded again. “Back to the dipweed.”
“Which one?”
“Oh shit, there was more than one? No wonder you swore off doctors.”
“Bingo.”
I ran my hand through my hair. “Let’s go with the first one.”
“His name was Chris.” She made the first turn. Most people missed the street sign. She had good eyes. “We met in college. I helped him study and we started dating. He was a year older than I was with blond hair and blue eyes. I fell for him. Hard. He told me he loved me. And on his graduation day, I showed up to surprise him. He was surprised all right…”
She sighed and made another turn. “His parents were there, and I rushed up to kiss him. The looks on their faces made it plain they had no idea who I was. Then they said Marlene was in the restroom.” She pressed her lips into a tight line. “I asked if that was his sister, and his mother was quick to correct me. Marlene was his girlfriend. His blond cheerleader girlfriend.”
I gripped the handle on the passenger door, struggling to keep my anger in check. Just imagining another guy touching her was bad enough, but hurting her was over the top. “I’m sorry. I’m hesitant to ask about dipweed number two.”
“It’s my turn to ask you something anyway.”
I tried to peer into the shattered mirror for any tails as we neared my place. “Okay.”
“Where did all the anger come from that led to that boxing ring?”
My gut twisted. I wanted to impress my mate, not expose my failures. She pulled up the drive and turned off the car. I grabbed onto distraction with both hands. “Let’s get inside. I could use some ice for my jaw.”
Dirty play manipulating her nursing instincts, but I didn’t know what else to do.
“Fine, but I’m not letting you off the hook.”
Close enough for me. I took her hand and unlocked the door. Once the alarm was set behind us, I went to the kitchen for an ice pack. Kilani followed and sat at the bar.
“How’s your head?”
Part of me loved her for changing the subject. Maybe more than just part of me.
“It’s been better, but I’ll live.” I pressed the ice against my jaw. “I’m assuming the knife-wielding Nero op tonight was Sebastian’s brother.”
“Safe bet.” She rapped her nails on the granite countertop. “Question is, why did he show up without a gun and back-up?”
“He was quick to inform me he had no beef with the Pack, he just wanted you. I’m guessing if he showed up with his team and weapons, it’d be hard to buy his line that Nero was just here for you.”
“Big risk.”
“Not too bad. He knew I was probably exhausted and unarmed. Still had his knife ready. Jaguars don’t seem to get that werewolves pull our strength from the wolf and our Pack. We’re family, and there’s power in that. The second he threatened my mate, the wolf clawed its way forward. He didn’t stand a chance.”
Chapter Sixteen
KILANI
I stared at Jason. Mate. That word again. In front of me stood this man, rugged and strong, and tonight he would’ve laid down his life to ensure my safety, yet on some level that instinct to distance myself, to protect the little abandoned girl, haunted me. Maybe i
t always would.
Could fate really plan a man’s destiny? And why would fate saddle him with a woman who would put him in danger? He deserved an equal, someone who could be his backup, not his Achilles heel.
But I couldn’t deny the pang of jealousy at imagining him with another woman. Time to change the subject. “You never answered me about the anger.”
“No, I didn’t.”
“Does that mean you don’t know where it comes from or you just don’t trust me?”
He set the ice on the counter and rested his hands on the edge. Every knuckle was swollen and red. He bent his head, his voice low. “Honest answer?”
“Always.”
“Relationships are usually easy for me. I’ve never found the right person, so if things didn’t work out, I’d find someone else. Nature of the beast. But you came into my life and turned everything upside down. The stories about mates are true…” He took a slow breath and lifted his eyes to meet mine. “Every second we spend together, this invisible web of instinct and emotion gets stronger. You make me laugh, you call me on the carpet when you think I’m wrong, and I’ve never been more attracted to anyone. I wish I was a better man for you, and I’m hesitant to share anything that might make you walk out that door.”
His heart, his pain, his fear, it all shone in his eyes, and the swell washed over me until tears welled up. I stood and came around to his side of the bar. He straightened, turning to face me. I took his battered hands in mine. “I’ve never met anyone like you… I…” I shook my head. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Then don’t say anything.” His arms encircled me, lifting me off the ground as his lips crushed against mine.
I wrapped my legs around his waist, sliding my fingers into the back of his hair as our tongues twined in a slow, hungry, sensuous dance. He walked us across the room while we abandoned the rest of the world, lost in the passion of the kiss. I didn’t open my eyes. I didn’t want to break this spell. Tonight was about surrender and damn the consequences. Who knew what tomorrow held?