Her cat did a long, languid stretch, coming to life at the presence of this dominant, powerful male she recognized well. From minute one, the animal had been curious about him—she was a cat, after all—and drawn to his confidence. Right now, she was curious about why he was there. For that matter, so was Harley. If the dark vibe he was giving off was anything to go by, it wasn’t good.
“Hey, Harley, you played great tonight,” called out one of the regular guests. His friends echoed the sentiment.
She lifted her hand in a brief wave. “Thanks.” She turned back to Jesse and braced herself for whatever had brought him here. “You’re making me super nervous right now. Are you here to break some bad news to me? Has someone been hurt?”
“I won’t answer your questions here,” said Jesse. “Take us somewhere we can talk in private.”
She couldn’t help bristling at his curt, authoritative tone. “Not until you tell me what this is about.” Movement caught her eye, and she tensed. “Is that Bracken and Zander?”
Seeing they had been spotted, the two males came over. She backed up slightly. Not retreating but positioning herself so that she could take in all three males at once. Her cat coiled, ready to strike.
When their greetings only received brief nods, Bracken said, “Look, I know we’re not your favorite people. For what it’s worth, we never once thought you introduced Mia to drugs.”
“We told the adults of our pack that, but they wouldn’t listen,” said Zander.
Jesse stepped closer to her. “But this isn’t about Mia or anyone else. It’s about you. And you need to hear what we have to say. But not here.” Jesse cursed inwardly when she just stared at him defiantly. His wolf liked that she wasn’t easily pushed, despite being annoyed by her lack of cooperation. Jesse was just as frustrated, though most of that frustration was because he was hard as a fucking rock, struggling against an oppressive sexual heat that always struck him around this feline.
At one time, the intensity of that attraction had made him feel guilty, made him feel like he was betraying his true mate, even though she’d died before either of them were old enough to bond. He’d long ago worked past the guilt. “Don’t try to send me away, Harley. I’m not leaving until you talk to me. This relates to your safety.”
Stubborn-assed motherfucker. Harley decided against arguing with him any further. He wasn’t the type of male who could be easily sent away. She exhaled a resigned sigh. “We can use my boss’s office; he’s not here tonight.” She led them backstage and into the small, cluttered office. Folding her arms over her chest, she said, “Well, why are you here?”
Deciding to spare her any preamble, he replied, “I came because I had reason to believe your car was rigged with a bomb.”
Inhaling sharply, Harley opened her mouth . . . but, completely stunned, she had no words. Her cat froze, equally shocked. Finally, Harley said, “Could you repeat that?”
“You heard me, baby.”
Choosing to ignore the way her stomach clenched at the term “baby,” she shook her head. “I don’t understand. Why would you think that?”
“A four-year-old pup in my pack is a Seer. She isn’t able to explain her visions very well yet, but she was clear that your car would ‘go boom.’”
Harley’s brows lifted. “She said my name?”
“No, but she described you right down to having a musical talent.”
“That doesn’t mean it was me. I mean, you have to admit it’s odd that the little girl would have a vision of me, right? I don’t know her. I’m not part of your pack. I’m no one to you.”
“You’re not no one to me,” rumbled Jesse, infuriated that she would ever say that. His wolf backed him up with a growl. “And it was your car in the vision. I know it because Zander checked the vehicle before we came inside.”
She slid her gaze to Zander, who nodded and said, “I disabled the bomb. It’s simple enough for me to remove it without any problem, if that makes you feel any better.”
Um, no it didn’t.
“Who would target you that way?” asked Jesse, prowling toward her. “Has anyone threatened you?”
Harley tensed as he stepped right into her personal space. Not just because it was a very brazen move that could get his eyes scratched out, but because his scent of crushed ripe cranberries, cinnamon bark, and raw sexuality was like a zap to her senses. “Well, sort of.”
“Sort of?”
“I get hate mail from the extremists.”
“Extremists?” echoed Zander. “They’ve been known to use car bombs, so it could very well be them.”
Planting his feet, Jesse folded his arms. “Tell me about the hate mail. How long have you been receiving it?”
“It started recently, when people began speculating if Clive heads The Movement,” she replied. “Before you ask, I don’t know if that’s true or not. Anyway, the extremists have been sending me abusive e-mails.”
“And they threatened you,” Jesse prompted.
“Like I said, sort of. They told me I should have died with my brother, but they never actually threatened to kill me. Although they did threaten to sneak into my hotel room while I was asleep and . . . you know.”
Fury coursed through Jesse, and his wolf’s claws sliced out. “Dammit, Harley, you should have come to me with this.”
Her brow furrowed. “Why would I? I haven’t seen or heard from you in three years.”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“It meant you were hardly going to be my first port of call if I thought I needed help.”
Well, he damn well should have been. “You need to come with me.”
Harley almost gawked. “Huh?”
“My territory is secure, guarded, and extremely difficult to invade without an intruder announcing their presence. I can protect you there. You won’t be safe on your own.” Jesse grit his teeth when she lifted her chin stubbornly, exposing the delicate neck that he’d once wrapped his hand around as he powered into her. His cock jerked at the memory.
Jesse took a deep, calming breath. Harley’s dominance was subtle—probably because she was used to being among humans where she didn’t need to wear it like a cloak. But he knew it was there, knew there was only so far he could push her before she’d shut him out. Besides, the “you need me to keep you safe” routine wouldn’t get him anywhere with a dominant female shifter. They were very proud creatures.
He moved closer, jaw tight. “Sweetheart, these assholes want you dead.”
“I know that.”
“But you don’t know what they look like, do you? They could walk right in here, buy themselves a drink, and settle at a table . . . and you’d never know it was them. They could walk right by you, smile at you, compliment your performance, and you wouldn’t have a clue.”
She clenched her fists. “You think I don’t know that?”
“No, I think you do know. And I think you also know that having my protection would be a very smart thing.”
“I’ll go to the police.”
“Ah, baby, you know the humans are very unlikely to help. You’re half human, but you’re also Clive Vincent’s daughter, and law enforcement doesn’t like him much.”
Harley knew he was right. She hated that he was right. “Why would you want to throw yourself in the middle of this mess? You don’t need to get involved.”
“I already am involved. There’s no way I’m going to ignore that you’re in danger. I know the last thing you feel you can do is depend on shifters for anything, but you know me, Harley. You know I’ll keep you safe.” And he wasn’t leaving without her.
“Taking me with you could lead the extremists to your pack,” she pointed out.
“They’re terrified of Nick; they won’t come there.” Not after what had happened the last time extremists had tangled with their pack. “Even if they did, they wouldn’t get to you. At the hotel, you’re vulnerable. And, quite frankly, I don’t know why you would want that. Don’t mak
e this easy for them, Harley. Be smart.” He ate up the tiny bit of distance between them and said softly, “Come with me.”
She should say no. She should stay away from this male who had the singular ability to tie her in knots, especially since going with him meant staying with his pack. But, really, what other choices did she have? He was right; alone, she was vulnerable and an easy target. Of course she could go and stay with Tess, but she didn’t want to take trouble to her aunt’s door. The Mercury wolves would be able to handle that trouble. And she didn’t believe for even a moment that Jesse would let this go. He would hound her and hound her until she agreed.
She swallowed. “Call your Alphas. If they okay it, I’ll go with you.”
CHAPTER THREE
All right, so she hadn’t actually expected his Alphas to okay it. She was an outsider, half human, half feline, and had extremists on her ass. Some extremists were all talk, but these particular humans were prepared to use car bombs, so it didn’t seem logical that the wolves would accept her on their territory. But after a very brief call outside her boss’s office, Jesse had returned with the news that his Alphas would protect her. That had totally shocked the shit out of her.
On the one hand, she appreciated it. Sure, part of her bristled at accepting help—she was a dominant female, after all. But she’d rather be bristling and alive than be proud and dead.
Another part of her, however, was wary about the whole situation. She hadn’t spent much time around shifters since coming to live with Tess. Shifters behaved differently and played by a different set of rules. Harley wasn’t interested in following any such rules.
What made her most wary about leaving with Jesse was . . . well, Jesse. He was hard to read and could be very compelling when he switched on the intensity—both had a way of keeping her off-balance. Still, that might not have been so bad if her body didn’t respond so easily and strongly to his. It gave him a level of power over her that she did not like. And he was just so big, so dominant, so . . . everything. What’s more, he was shoving his way into her business.
“Here we are.”
His words broke into her thoughts. As they drove along a dirt path that was littered with leaves, Harley admired the tall, regal trees on either side. They all had typical territorial animal markings that served to warn away humans and other shifters.
When they came to a huge lodge and Jesse parked between a Winnebago and a Mercedes, she said, “I like the fairy lights hanging on the trees.” They gave the lodge an almost magical feel. “Are they always up there or is it a special occasion?”
“They’re always up.” He hopped out of the SUV and waited at the hood of the vehicle for her to reach him.
She should have objected when he took her hand, but she was a little nervous. She’d never been good with people she didn’t know well, especially complete strangers. It wasn’t that she was socially inept; it was just that it could take her a while to feel comfortable enough around people to be herself. She preferred her own company.
Bracken and Zander stayed behind them as Jesse pulled her into the lodge and through to a cozy living area, where five wolves waited. It was clear that the two in front were the Alphas. The female was smiling, but the male—who radiated dominance in a way that a lesser person would have found plain terrifying—stared blankly at Harley.
Rather than join the other wolves, Bracken and Zander planted themselves behind her . . . almost supportively. They were making it clear that they would side with her if there were a problem, which was kind of touching. Going by the grim expressions of the other males, she might just need that support.
Jesse said, “Nick, Shaya, this is Harley. Harley, these are my Alphas.”
Harley gave an awkward smile and nodded in deference. “Um . . . hi.” Her cat twitched her tail, watching them carefully. She was particularly dubious of the Alpha male.
“It’s good to meet you, Harley,” said Shaya, gracious and pleasant. She wasn’t small, but she had a pixie-like look about her and an impish air. “Nick’s delighted too. So delighted he’s at a loss for words.”
Harley inwardly smiled at the scowl Nick cast his mate. The blond, powerfully built male was as unnerving as Jesse and exuded supreme confidence. His green eyes glimmered with irritation as they sliced back to Harley. He may have accepted her presence, but he wasn’t happy about it.
Jesse continued, “Over there are my Betas, Ally and Derren.”
“Hi, there,” said the slim, olive-skinned brunette. Her dark-eyed, dark-haired mate merely inclined his head ever so slightly.
“Hey,” greeted Harley, keeping her half smile in place.
“And that’s my Head Enforcer, Eli,” added Jesse. “He’s also Nick’s brother.”
Well both brothers sure had the indomitable look going on. Eli gave her a short nod, though his large brown eyes held no more welcome than the other two males’ eyes did. Taking in their strong, solid builds, she wondered what the Mercury males were being fed around here.
“And the dog standing by Ally shaking his tail is Bruce,” Jesse told Harley once she’d answered Eli’s nod with one of her own. “It’s late, so you’ll meet everyone else tomorrow.”
“In the meantime, get some sleep,” said Shaya. “Jesse will show you to one of the guest lodges.”
“Um . . . thanks.” God, she was hopeless with strangers.
After a quick exchange of farewells, Jesse led her outside and across the open field to the trees. It was a reasonably short walk to the guest lodge. Timber and stone, the exterior had a very masculine feel to it.
Harley followed him up a set of stone steps onto the wraparound porch. Inside, he shed his jacket and slung it on the rocker that, like much of the den furniture—including the coffee table, TV stand, and firewood rack—was made of cedar logs. The den also featured a brown leather sofa, a shaggy rug, a wall-mounted TV, and a pool table. Nice.
Best of all was the little reading alcove in the corner. It was framed by shelves of books and had a built-in chaise with a pillow and fake-fur blanket, making it look like some kind of rustic magical retreat. Being somewhat of a book junkie, she was going to love spending time in that little haven. She distrusted anyone, anyone, who said they didn’t like reading.
With the exception of the wall of reflective glass at the rear of the lodge, which let in plenty of light, the interior seemed to be all wooden paneling and hardwood floors. Jesse headed straight to the open-plan kitchen and dining area.
“How did you know I was in California?” she asked him. “For that matter, how did you know where I worked and what car in the parking lot was mine?”
“I have my ways of finding things out.”
How delightfully vague. She watched as he moved around with ease, switched on the coffee machine, and grabbed two mugs . . . looking right at home, she thought with a frown. Realization dawned. “I thought I was staying in a guest lodge.”
“You’re not.”
“Is there a reason for that?”
Jesse backed her against the wall and placed a hand either side of her head, crowding her. “I don’t play games, Harley, so I’ll tell you straight. I want you. In my bed. In my life. Where you belong.”
Her heart slammed into her ribs and her cat stilled, feeling like a deer in headlights. The air began to charge with a sexual tension that threatened to suck every thought from Harley’s head. She gave herself a mental slap. “Where I belong?”
“You know you do. You knew it three years ago. But when I woke up, you were gone. Why?”
“I figured it would be less awkward that way.”
“Bullshit, baby. You ran.” He tucked her hair behind her ear. “Mia told you my mate died, didn’t she? It’s true. Torrie and Mia were in the lake when they were eleven. Torrie smacked her head on a rock, fell unconscious, and drowned. I think it was what sent Mia spiraling out of control.”
Harley marveled over how he could talk of the tragedy so calmly, hiding what had to be a wealth of pain b
ehind a blank expression. “I knew about it, yeah.”
“In that hotel, I told you I was keeping you. That scared you because you knew how overbearing I’d be. You knew that since I lost the female who would have been my mate, I was going to be hell in a relationship; I’d be controlling and possessive and hold you too tight. The shifter world let you down and you didn’t want to be dragged back in it, so you hightailed it out of there. But you had to know I’d only let you run for so long.”
She frowned, shaking her head. “I didn’t think you really meant it. I thought it was just said in the heat of the moment.” Her cat was just as taken aback by what he was saying.
“The heat of the moment?” he echoed, incredulous.
“Well, yeah.” They had too many things going against them. They lived in different worlds, neither of their families would ever give their blessing, and fate had paired him with a submissive female because that was what he needed. Harley was dominant and proud of it, and she had no intention of squashing that part of herself for anyone. Besides, she wasn’t anything special. She was just . . . little ol’ her.
“Hmm.”
Hmm? What did “hmm” mean?
“You honestly thought I would say something like that if I didn’t mean it?” he rumbled.
“Emotions were running high that night. People say stuff they don’t mean when they’re emotional. Anyway, don’t get pissy with me. If you had really meant what you said, you would have found a way to contact me.”
He moved his face closer to hers. “I would have hunted your sweet ass down three years ago if I thought you were ready for what I wanted from you.” Now she had no choice but to be ready, because he wasn’t going to let her walk out on him a second time.
She swallowed. “What do you want?”
“I want what belongs to me. You.”
Harley had no idea why that dominant, nonnegotiable tone revved her engines, but she didn’t like her body’s response at all. His eyes blazed with pure masculine possession as they roamed over every inch of her face. He looked at her as if he owned her, as if he’d always owned her. It made her stomach clench. It also made her bristle.
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