Worry had me tapping his cheek. “Alexander.”
He cracked open one eye.
“What did she do to you when you told her no?”
“Hm?” His eyelids fluttered closed.
No, he had to stay awake, had to answer me. I gripped his shoulders and shook. “The cougar. Genevieve. What did she do to you?” Cold panic ice-picked my heart because I already knew the answer yet wanted him to tell me.
“I’m fine, baby. It’s over now. Love you…” His mouth went slack, and he released his hold on me.
I straddled him and stroked his face, watching the glow of life drain from his skin, the heat leaching fast from his body. I never liked watching him sleep. No heartbeat. No breath. Too close to real death.
His skin cooled beneath my fingertips, leaving me alone to wonder exactly what Genevieve had done to him when he refused her. There was no doubt in my mind—Alexander hadn’t lied to me about that fact. Our bond sang to me loud and clear.
Alexander is mine. He never betrayed me.
Repositioning myself at his side, I curled up against him, my arm draped over his middle as if I could protect him from further harm. If that conniving ancient she-devil tortured him like Tessa had when he defied her… “You’re so dead, cougar.”
I didn’t care if she were Tessa’s second-in-command. No one hurt my mate and survived to try again.
My battle to-do list just got one person longer.
The wolves were late.
I paced my living room. Thirteen steps to the window, thirteen steps to the door. My soles thudded on the warm hardwood, the sound muffled for several steps on the fluffy area rug, then thudding again near the door. I glanced at the silver kitchen clock over the sink on my millionth circuit. Two hours and five minutes late. No reply to my ‘
are you coming over?’
email. No reply to my text or voice mail, either.
Damn wolves. Had they toyed with me last night?
On my next lap, I ignored my tiny coffee cup with its enticing smell of espresso sitting on the counter—I’d consumed too many cups already and had the near jitters to prove it. Instead, I swiped my phone off the counter and checked yet again for any communication. Nothing.
I also texted Alexander.
Dinner at my place?
I typed then deleted it.
No.
If the wolves showed up and agreed to my plan, we’d start the hunt for Dixon and my friends tonight. I stopped by the window and glared out at the bright blue, cloudless sky. The sun beat overhead, warming my living room like a sauna, adding fire to my foul mood.
Hell, what could I say to Alexander? We just made up and had the most mind-blowing and loving sexual encounter of my entire life—and hopefully his too—and now I couldn’t see him? My mind blanked on any excuse he’d buy for that.
Because there wasn’t one. “Damn it.”
Before I’d left his place, I’d put a note on my pillow.
I’m glad you’re back
,
xo
Only marginally better than his
I’ll text you
comment from Italy, but at least mine conveyed emotion, if not substance. I couldn’t give him substance right now, my plate too full of tasks, none of them pleasant, all of them necessary to save my friends.
I dashed off a new text to Alexander.
Working tonight. See you tomorrow night. Xoxo
A vague, lame excuse. I could only hope he bought it. If he didn’t, I’d just have to deal with that if or when it happened.
The doorbell buzzed, making me jump. I dashed to the door. “About time, Connor.”
But Fin’s face peered into the camera. I buzzed him in as my mood soured further. I didn’t want to face him after last night. Too much kissing, groping, fake-dating and now, with Alexander back and our bond tighter than ever… What a mess. I opened the front door just as my phone vibrated in my hand.
Finally, a text from Connor.
Five minutes away.
Fin blurred up the stairs, halting before me, freshly showered and smelling like citrus soap. He surveyed my frowning face. “Good morning, sunshine.” He kissed my cheek and strolled inside, sinking onto my sofa, looking too cute in black tactical pants and matching shirt, jacket, and boots. Not his usual chic attire.
I arched a brow. “You look ready for war.”
He stretched out, thumping his boots on my coffee table, rattling my laptop. “I am indeed. You think I’d let you go anywhere alone with those wolves?”
I blinked, unsure whether to be pleased or annoyed by his attentiveness. I opted for the latter. “Who died and made you my keeper?” That way I wouldn’t think too hard about the kissing and the groping and—oh, hell, too late.
I heard all of that, Rina.
I looked away from his smiling face. “Not talking about last night.”
“Your pile of troubles does seem to grow every day. First Dixon, now the Youngling returns, and you’ve marked the Wallace wolf pack.”
Guess we were talking about last night. I flopped onto the couch. “What a mess.” I turned my head to stare at him. “Can I undo that marking thing? I don’t know how I did it.”
“No.”
I huffed. “Crap.”
Fin grinned, eyes sparking with mischief. “I mean
you
can’t, but a good witch, such as our dear Lily, and your family can.”
“Oh. Thank God.” I heaved a relieved sigh.
Fin winked. “No, love, you should thank
me
.”
I folded my arms across my stomach. “Why?”
He bumped my leg with his. “Our ruse is working. Last night was perfect.”
I bumped back. “Up until Alexander arrived and it all went south, you mean.”
“Even then.”
I shifted to face Fin, sitting cross-legged. “But now, I have to lie to my soul mate.” I pointed at my head. “Have you seen my poker face? It sucks.”
“You’re lovely all of the time.”
I thwacked his arm with the back of my hand. “Not my point Fin, and you know it.”
He only laughed then called, “Good morning, Stella,” just as my door opened and Stella whooshed inside.
She planted herself on my kitchen counter, booted feet on a barstool, dark eyes assessing us. “
Buon giorno
…lovebirds?”
My face heated. Not only did I have to turn on the fake dating mojo for her but the wolves would arrive any minute now. “Go away, Stella.”
At my sharp tone, she scowled, dark eyes calculating.
Power like crawling, biting ants stung my arms. “Ouch, Stella. Stop that.”
She arched a brow. “Mind your manners, little vampire.”
I rubbed my arms. “Since when do you care about manners?”
Her steady gaze shifted to Fin. She gave him a hard look from his jacket to the boots then shot back to me. “You’re hiding something.”
There it was, the sharp left turn into I’m-so-fucked town. And worse, the doorbell buzzed. Had to be the wolves. I rushed to the door, but Stella beat me there.
She stared at the video feed. Disbelief registered on her face followed fast by amusement, and a hint of admiration. “
Va bene
,
piccola.
I am pleased you did not allow Alexander to sway you.”
I blinked. What did she think I was doing here with the wolves and Fin?
Fin, privy to my thoughts, cleared his throat and shot me a sexy grin.
Oh,
that
. My face flamed hotter. Well, better she believed I’d immersed myself in some no-strings sex with multiple partners than the truth.
I pressed the button to let in the wolves. “At the top,” I called into the intercom then dashed to the landing between my floor and that of the boys. As I expected, Mark and Ren already stood on theirs, guns out. “It’s okay, you guys. Let them up.”
Mark gave me stone face.
Ren snorted in disgust. “What the fuck, Rina?”
They stomped into their space, slamming the door behind them. My throat tightened. I hated this, hated they thought the worst of me when all I was doing was trying to save our friends.
The scent of fresh mountain air and musky man preceded Cameron and Connor—Cam and Con as everyone else seemed to call them—up the stairs. I froze for a millisecond on the landing as they approached, stunned into immobility by their size and the aura of danger they exuded. No wonder Mark and Ren had their guns out.
Sudden nerves tied my tongue but I managed a croaky, “Hi,” then backed up the stairs.
Neither man spoke, just followed me, all grace and power and deadly alpha male. Goose bumps scampered up my arms. What had I gotten myself into? I pivoted and hurried into my flat, heading straight for the kitchen. Bypassing my tempting coffee, I busied myself with pouring a glass of blood from the carafe on my counter—while the two wolves exchanged pleasantries with Fin and Stella.
I squeezed the juice glass in my hand. Oh, crap. Stella was still here.
“Carina.” And right behind me. Stealthy vampire.
I pivoted to face her, sipping blood so I didn’t have to speak. What could I say that would make her leave? My mind whirled and blanked.
“Jonas is quite unhappy, little vampire
.
”
I blinked, caught off guard by the shift in subject. “Oh?” More sips of blood, more stalling.
“I prefer men to suffer, but perhaps in this instance, you should let him in?”
My brow furrowed. “In? What do you m—”
Pain punched my forehead. I doubled over. Stella snagged my glass and steadied me with her free hand.
“What the hell?” I straightened and rubbed my head. Another jolt struck, and I swayed.
Stella put down my glass and whisked me to a bar stool, hefting me on it like I weighed nothing. “As I said, The Executioner is most unhappy.”
She rarely called Jonas by his title. The fact she did now gave me pause. It also gained the attention of Fin and the wolves.
Fin breezed over and tapped my forehead. “It would appear Jonas is knocking on the door.”
Great. One fake date, two wolves to recruit, one curious Stella, Mark and Ren lurking downstairs quite possibly eavesdropping with one of their many tactical tech toys, and now Jonas? I couldn’t ignore the latter. He’d likely come over in person if I did and ruin my plans.
“Take down the wall, Fin, but not too far, and only for a minute or so.”
“As you wish, love.”
Jonas rushed inside my mind with all the subtlety of a hurricane, making me shiver.
My little warrior.
Don’t you ‘my little warrior,’ me, Jonas. That hurt. Couldn’t pick up the phone?
As per his usual, he ignored my jab.
I feel your turmoil. I will destroy him.
Ah. He thought Alexander was the source of my stress.
No, it’s not Alexander. We’re good. Really.
Then why are the wolves in your home?
Shit. Walked right into that, didn’t I? I scrambled for a suitable lie to feed him, something close to the truth.
Well, I marked the wolves, as I’m sure you know, so they came over to talk about it.
And Fineas?
As usual, Jonas spat out Fin’s name like a foul piece of food. Or tainted blood.
My pulse sped up as I searched for an answer to that one. Fake dating wouldn’t work now that Alexander had returned, especially since I just told Jonas my man and I had reconciled.
Good morning, Jonas,
Fin interjected into our conversation.
I stopped by to say my farewells to the lovely princess now that her young mate has returned to her. Or perhaps, and much more to my liking, to convince her that enjoying the attention of many men trumps just one young pup.
Jonas growled his unhappiness at that comment.
Fin chuckled.
I decided to stay when the wolves arrived.
Relief flooded me. I jumped in.
He promised he’d never leave me alone with the wolves.
Yes,
Fin confirmed.
And I keep my promises.
Jonas’s angry growl boomed through my mind, so loud I almost clapped my hand over my ears.
See that you do, minion.
With that, my mentor disappeared.
Fin slapped the mental barrier back in place, an almost audible steel clank in my head.
I rotated my neck and heaved in a deep breath. “Okay, that’s enough of that. No more cranky vampires allowed in my head.”
Cam snorted. I glanced at my guests seated on the sofa, so large they made it look like kid’s furniture.
Con gave me a thorough once-over that made me want to squirm. “Looked a might uncomfortable for ye.” He glanced at the watch on his huge, tanned wrist. “Shall we get on with it?” His bright yellow eyes glittered at me with such intensity I had to tamp down the urge to hug myself.
Blunt man. But there was still the pesky Stella problem. I glanced at my tenacious and too-smart bodyguard and slid off the barstool. “Privacy, please?”
Connor, catching on quick, patted the empty space between him and his brother. Inwardly cringing, I took his lead and hurried over, climbing awkwardly over his huge legs. He circled my waist with his huge hands and lifted me the rest of the way over him. He settled me against his side, one arm draped along the couch behind me. My face flamed. Would Stella buy our act?
Stella blurred over and pulled back the coffee table, planting her butt on it and facing me, her hard stare making my chest squeeze tight. She leaned forward, elbows resting on her thighs, giving the wolves a clear view of her cleavage. Small breasts, but perky and perfect. Next to me, Cam’s nostrils flared with evident interest. But Stella didn’t like men. Hated most, in fact. Tolerated few.
“I heard it all,
piccola.
I tasted both truth and lies in your words to Jonas. There’s more you’re not saying.”