He’d remembered his Sky saying back in the Philippines that once she was home, she wanted a salad, lasagna, and a cold beer. The salad and beer were child’s play, but the lasagna? Not so much. York wasn’t much of a cook. Hell, he was no parts of a cook, but he’d made the effort for Sky to prove to her that he could provide for his Angel’s needs. He hadn’t anticipated Shane and James taking up seats in the kitchen to watch him fumble through an impromptu cooking show.
“So let me get this right,” James teased. “You just got in off assignment, and your first order of business was cooking a homemade meal for Shy’s sister?”
“My Angel,” he growled and then hid a wince. He was acting possessive and impatient and hideously stupid. If the smirk on James’ face was anything to go by, then his fellow Walker recognized it as well.
“Knock it off, James!” he growled in frustration.
James’ smile only widened. “What, bro?” He looked giddily from York to Shane then back.
“I’m not Conn, boys,” York began. “She’s my Angel. I’m not hiding from it or running from it. And I’m certainly not some foolhardy elitist who will denounce her because she’s not a Walker. She’s exactly what I want, and I’ll do anything I can to make her happy.”
James eyed the room. “Including destroying the kitchen.”
Shane chuckled, earning him a frown from York.
“Why are you here?” York growled. “Aren’t you two supposed to be upstairs watching over my Angel?”
James pushed up from his chair. “Yeah. We just came down to make her something to eat. We didn’t know you were already on it.”
Shane stood too. “We’ll go tell her dinner’ll be up shortly.”
When York’s head snapped up James held up his hands. “Don’t worry, bro. We won’t tell her about your surprise.”
The duo exited and left York to finish Sky’s dinner.
***
Sky was relaxed in front of the fire as Shane and James regaled her with stories of missions past. They were good guys, and she’d gained an easy comfort in their presence. The younger one, James, was a bit of flirt, but she didn’t mind. It was a little flattering really, but she knew it’d come to a screeching halt once York returned. York. The day and half without him had been hard. She hadn’t realized how much she’d come to rely on him and…well, appreciate his company until it was gone. Sleeping in his room hadn’t helped. His bed smelled like him, all wild with a crisp bite of Montana winter. She very much looked forward to his return. Realizing she’s stopped listening to a particularly zealous story, she pulled her thoughts from York and smiled brightly. “What?”
“Yeah,” James continued. “York challenged Leto for Shy, but Monroe wouldn’t have it!”
All the blood drained from Sky’s face, and her heart stopped as the room suddenly tilted violently. Somewhere in the distance she heard James’ startled tone, “Hey! You alright?”
He wanted Shy! Tears blinded her as pain and betrayal clogged her throat. He lied! He was just like every other man! He preferred Shy and is settling for me!
Sky blinked, and tears slid down her cheeks. Her eyes began to refocus, and she heard Shane’s voice boom, “What in the fuck did you do to her?”
Blindly, she got to her feet and headed for the door as confusion laced James’ tone. “What? Nothing! I-I…nothing. We were just talking about Shy and Leto.”
“Sky, wait!”
She didn’t. Instead, she jerked the door open and stepped out in the hall.
“Damn it, James!”
“What, bro? I don’t know what I did. Shit! Grab her, Shane!”
The instant the hand clamped on her bicep, Sky spun and punched upward. Shane hadn’t expected it, and for once being short paid off when she connected with his throat. He hit the floor in a heap, gasping for breath as Sky spun and ran down the hall. Behind her she heard James curse, “Shit, bro! Sky, wait!”
She quickened her pace.
James’ volume increased the further she got. “Please don’t leave, York’ll fucking kill me! Jesus, Shane! Breathe!”
She made it to the stairs and raced down, barely holding her emotions in check. Numbness had settled in her heart, and was slowly blossoming to encompass her entire body. She had to get away before she lost it, because she was going to lose it.
No, no, no, no! She chanted with each step. Not again. Not fucking second best again!
Reaching the front doors, she shoved them open and rushed out into the snow. She sucked in one long, agonized breath. She hadn’t even realized she’d been holding her breath until her starved lungs finally filled. When the great breath left her though, it was on a sob. She slammed to her knees, uncaring of the snow that covered the ground or the arctic temperature. Covering her face, she sobbed loudly as the agony wracked her body. How could she have done this? How had she been so stupid as to let down her guard again?! She knew what came from trusting men…pain!
Only moments passed before she realized she needed to leave. York would come looking for her once James relayed what had happened. She didn’t want to talk to York. She didn’t want to fucking see him ever again. Planting her hands in the snow, she ignored the sharp sting of the cold as she pushed to her feet where she wobbled. Red-rimmed eyes scoured her surroundings. She needed a way out of here.
Her head jerked around when she heard the crunch of snow. A willowy figure stepped out of the shadow and blew a puff of cigarette smoke straight at her. The dark-haired woman let her even darker eyes rove up and down Sky. Her expression was blank as she held her cigarette in a hand near her mouth while the other arm wrapped around her waist to hold the other up. She took another drag off her cigarette and licked her lips before slowly exhaling the smoke and finally stating quietly, “I’m Sam.”
Sky didn’t reply.
Sam snorted and eased her cigarette back between her lips, taking another long draw before exhaling just as slowly. She eyed Sky, studying her before she reached into her jacket pocket. “Here.” She tossed a set of keys at Sky, and they jangled when Sky instinctively caught them. “The black Dodge in the garage is mine. She’s got navigation. Take her and run, but don’t scratch her. She’s all I’ve got. Leave her where you end up. I’ll find her.”
Relief and gratitude flooded Sky, but she didn’t trust herself to speak.
Sam took another slow drag and her brows hiked. “Run, Little Red, before the big bad wolf finds you.”
Not sure if she hated the woman or not, Sky gave an appreciative nod of her head before she turned and stalked toward the garage.
***
Watching the obviously distraught woman go, Sam tilted her head and wondered what could have possibly happened to warrant such an emotional breakdown. She tensed when a hand slid over her shoulder.
“Whatcha doin’ out here?”
She rolled her eyes before taking one last drag of her cigarette and plastering on a false smile, tossing her cig into the snow. Turning, she laced her arms around the Walker’s neck, stroking a polished nail over his halo. “Just coming back inside.” She pressed her body into his, smashing her breasts against his chest. He was the perfect target. Too full of himself and infatuated with pussy to pay any real attention to the threat a woman could be. Sam licked her lips seductively. “Well, you drug me to this God-forsaken outpost you call home.” She thought dirty thoughts, inciting her body to cream knowing the Walker would scent her desire and mistake it for a reaction to him. Fool!
When he licked his lips, she knew she had him. “Take me to your room and get me warm.”
He smiled, and she felt guilt singe her. He was extremely attractive, but not her type in the least. He’s a means to an end, she reminded herself. Don’t get all fucking soft now, Sam! You’ve gotta get this done. Odium won’t tolerate any more failures.
“How about we take a warm bath?” His sultry tone was seductive, and she could see how other women would be drawn to him. Not her.
Leaning forward, she pressed
her lips to his ear knowing all too well how to seal the deal. She whispered innocently, “But I’m already wet.”
Pulling back, he lifted her into his arms and stalked toward the front doors.
Stroking a hand through his hair she sighed, knowing what came next. “I have a feeling you’re going to make this a night I’ll never forget, Remy McCabe.”
He smiled wickedly, “No, Sam. You won’t.”
Chapter 24
Sky found Sam’s truck and fumbled with the keys before finding the unlock icon on the key fob. The door locks clicked open, and she used the truck’s stirrup to assist her in. The windows were dark and, feeling shielded, she took a moment to drop her head forward and rest it on the steering wheel. She wanted to be sick, but sucked in a breath to steady her nerves as her grip tightened on the steering wheel. I can’t believe he lied to me. Anger tugged her brows down; I can’t believe I trusted him!
She started the truck and pulled out of the garage, the deep rumble of the motor mimicking the growl that wanted to emit from her lips. She’d been lied to and used by a man whom she thought she was growing to love. Her foot hit the gas pedal, and she raced from the garage, and down the long, snow-covered road that would lead her away from York.
Fool me once…she watched as Apex slowly shrunk in her rearview mirror.
***
Pleased with himself for finally being able to bring his Angel a plate of home-baked lasagna, York smirked to himself before his cursory glance up the hallway turned into a double-take. What the fuck!
Shane was on his knees, attempting to get to his feet while James ignored him, pacing back and forth mumbling to himself with both hands fisted in his hair.
York’s eyes darted to the open door, and he inhaled. The plate hit the carpeted floor with a dull thud when he scented his Sky’s distress and…TEARS!
“What did you do?” he snarled, peeling his lip back as his hands fisted. He was halfway to James before he even realized he’d taken a step.
James jerked round, dropping both hands to hold them up in front of himself. “Whoa, bro! Nothing!” He began backing up.
York closed the distance between them in mere strides before he stopped and turned his head to eye the empty room. Sky was gone.
“Where is she?” His animals surged to the fore, needing him to shift to track their mate before destroying whatever had caused her pain.
“Sh-sh-she…left.” James was shaking his head in confusion.
York’s hands slammed into James’ chest and fisted the material there before he jerked the younger Walker into him and breathed down on him through gnashed teeth. “What. Did. You. Do?”
James’s mouth fell open, but nothing came out.
“It’s Shy.” Shane croaked as he got to his feet, drawing York’s attention. “We assumed she knew everything.” Shane glanced at James in displeasure. “James commented on how you challenged Leto for Shy, and Sky freaked.”
Shane continued his explanation, but York didn’t hear it. His eyes rounded and he paled. Slowly, he released James as the implications slammed into him. Sky knew he’d challenged for Shy, which meant she thought he’d lied to her. Unable to control his breathing, he continued to suck in whiffs of air through his nose, automatically sifting through them. He was so tuned-in to Sky now that he blocked out all other scents and could easily focus on the remnants of her emotions as they lingered. Shock, betrayal, and pain. His tongue darted out seeking to find even the slightest trace of anger or hatred. He’d expect those, especially from his Sky. His heart squeezed at their absence. He could face her fury, but knowing that she was alone and hurting…
He shoved James hard and turned to follow her scent.
“You want help?” Shane threw at his back.
“NO!” he growled. “You’ve done enough!”
Chapter 25
It was dark; the roads were icy; the area was unfamiliar; and the fact that Sky kept crying wasn’t helping. She’d tried messing with Sam’s built-in navigation system, but after a few minutes without even being able to turn the damn thing on, she’d given up. Forced to rely on her memory, she muttered a curse about the blanket of undisturbed snow that covered the land all the way to the horizon. The sun had already set, but she was pretty sure she was heading west. She used the back of one hand to brush at tears that lingered on her cheeks. She wished she could be a fly on the wall to see York’s reaction when his friends told him she’d gone. Who did he think she was? Did he honestly expect her to play second fiddle to her own sister?!
Calm down! She ordered herself as her eyes dipped to the speedometer. She was driving way too fast for the conditions. The truck rumbled to a low purr, and she forced herself to take several deep breaths. A pang of guilt hit at the fact that she hadn’t let York explain himself, but it was short lived. He’d found me, fucked me, brought me back to the states, and claimed me, and it was all because he’d initially wanted Shy, and she was taken.
***
In eagle form, York ghosted the dark vehicle carrying Sky further from Apex. She hadn’t been hard to find. Shifting, he’d soared high above Apex until he located a lone set of headlights illuminating the darkness of the high plains. Once he’d caught up with the vehicle, he’d dipped low once to confirm the truck carried his mate. It did, and she didn’t look happy. He was apprehensive about her speed and the bad road conditions, but he knew better than to try to get her to stop. His Commander Conn Drago’s Angel had been severely injured in a car wreck that they all suspected was caused by another Walker attempting to stop her car by shifting to deer form and blocking the road. York wouldn’t risk it. He’d follow his mate until she stopped, and then he’d confront her. He was angry with himself for not having explained things to her. Honestly, he had hoped his interaction with Shy wouldn’t be brought up. He should have known better. When it came to Angels, everything ended up out in the open. Damn! Worse, how did he convince her that he hadn’t been interested in Shy when he had been? Granted he hadn’t truly known her, but he had wanted a mate, and he would have claimed Shy if he’d been given the opportunity. That thought, in and of itself, was jarring. He’d almost claimed the wrong woman and in doing would have given up on his true Angel. He’d been a damn fool in more ways than one.
He followed the vehicle through several wrong turns and a dozen lengthy back roads, but finally Sky reached town and gassed up. He contemplated confronting her, but she’d stopped at a full-service gas station and didn’t exit the vehicle.
Fine. He’d wait. He was just relieved that she’d arrived safely, but that relief was short-lived when she paid the attendant and left town, hitting the highway. Clearly, she was heading to StoneCrow, and the comfort of her sister.
The journey was long, but his only concern was for Sky. The retelling of any part of his initial interaction with Sky’s sister would have been painful for her to hear. It’s why he’d kept it from her. He shouldn’t have. He should have been the one to tell her, to explain himself. Now, Sky was hurting and it was his doing. Damn! How had he screwed this up? He’d been elated to find her and excited at the prospect of claiming her without any of the difficulties his mated predecessors experienced.. Apparently, he’d been overly confident.
A few hours later and one long OnStar conversation with Shy and Sky pulled up to the gate at StoneCrow. Shy’s directions had been difficult for his angel to follow in the dark, but Shy had gotten his Sky safely to StoneCrow.
York dropped just inside the gate and shifted. Having recognized Marko and Haka as the Sentries on duty, he’d contacted them through the mist the moment he’d spotted them to inform them of Sky’s imminent arrival.
“And to what do we owe the honor?” Marko smirked at York as he rose to his full height just inside the gate, rolling his shoulders and stretching his neck.
“My Angel’s come to see her sister.”
It was Haka’s turn to tease. “And let me guess. You didn’t feel like riding shotgun?”
York growled, hi
s expression darkening as he waited just out of sight. “My Angel is displeased with me at the moment.”
Marko smiled.
“Just let her in,” York snarled.
Haka opened the gate and held up his hand as Sky pulled slightly forward, rolling down her window.
“Good evening, Ma’am.” Marko was all matter-of-fact. “What brings you to StoneCrow so late?”
York watched Sky’s mouth open, but didn’t wait for her response. He hurried to the passenger-side door and jerked it open before sliding into the seat beside her.
***
One minute Sky was about to explain that she was Shy’s sister, and she was here to see her, and the next York was jumping into her truck. Her stunned expression jerked to him before her eyes narrowed in anger. “Get out!” She swore she heard the Sentry laugh over her shoulder, and York confirmed it when he curled back his lip to snarl at the guard.
Lowering his lip, York commanded, “Drive.”
“No!” Crossing her arms over her chest, Sky sat back and stared straight ahead. “Not until you get out of my truck.”
“This isn’t your truck, and I’m not leaving.” He leaned closer to her. “Speaking of leaving, did you forget something…or someone back at Apex?”
“No! I didn’t and what are you doing here? Did you follow me?” The audacity!
“Of course I followed you!” He roared. “You’re my mate!” He didn’t mean to sound so irked, but the lingering scent of her tears and her barely disguised sorrow were putting him on edge.
“Okay,” she pointed to his door, “that’s it. Get out!” When he didn’t budge she tried another tactic. “Has it occurred to you that I left Apex to get away from you? Why are you in my…this truck?”
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