New Beginnings (10 page)

Jess
. That woman tore him up. She had
him right where she wanted him, and was lost in her own desire. He
had to open his mouth and try to get her to think, and she hadn’t.
Not until her phone rang.

Instinct told him to claim Jess, but he knew
it in his soul that she needed to decide for herself. He lost a
mate once, and he knew the risk. She didn’t. He wanted her to come
to her own conclusion because you can’t take back a mating.

“Better that way,” he muttered to himself.
He barely held himself back from taking her under that tree. Then
he’d be right where he swore he never would be again. He wanted to
be there. He wanted to lose himself in her.

Liam strolled through the door unannounced
and uninvited. He fell onto the bench Slater had just finished and
asked, “What the fuck has you so riled up?”

Me?
He was staying away from the
wolves and only calling to keep track of what was going on because
he didn’t want anyone to know the mess he was in.

However, he wanted to know what was going on
with Liam. The other enforcers made several reports of Liam making
unnecessary trips into the woods around Jess and Slater’s cabins.
However, he was playing smart, because Slater couldn’t find any
trace of him, and neither could the other enforcers.

Slater took a deep breath and set the
chainsaw aside so he wouldn’t be tempted to take his head off. Liam
was an old wolf, and had been a part of the pack that changed him
so long ago.

Something had changed around ten years ago.
Liam started to distance himself. Then Brody became a wolf and an
enforcer. Liam wasn’t the same after that.

Maybe he should have done something about
Liam a long time ago, but he still hoped the man would find his way
back to who he once was.

“I’m not riled.” He was tattered, and barely
holding on to his sanity.

“You are. You’re not yourself. Usually
you’re laid back, but you’ve been extra intrusive into our private
lives.” Liam’s dark eyes locked on his in challenge.

He wouldn’t back down, and he wanted to know
where Liam was going with his train of thought. “I’m not sure what
you’re implying.”

“Oh, you don’t. Do you? I think you do and I
think you want a piece of that little blond who just joined our
ranks. Though she doesn’t seem to like you much. Doesn’t seem to
like men much at all. Except your poor young broken wolf.” A sneer
twisted his mouth. “Brody sort of reminds me of Clara with the way
he mopes around.”

“You can shut up now.” Slater did not talk
about Clara, and Brody wasn’t up for discussion. Brody wasn’t
broken. Brody had been a wolf the least amount of time, and he was
a better enforcer than the rest, even in mourning.

“You’re still worried he’ll challenge you
for your position. You should know better. Brody’s not looking to
get higher. Has he ever challenged anyone?”

“Your man doesn’t like me. Of course he’s
going to challenge me.” The bastard gave him a cold smirk. “Right
after that Jess gets him out of his funk.”

“Please. Brody’s not making the moves on
her, or vice versa. Apparently she doesn’t do relationships because
she always knows how it’s going to end.” Slater rolled his eyes.
“Look, I don’t even know why you’re here.”

“I thought you should know that I saw them
together the other day, eating lunch at the deli. They were talking
all low and quiet. Sounded to me like something was going on.” Liam
let out a sigh, and put his hands behind his head to stretch.

“Yeah, he’s been helping her with the
renovations. Nothing major going on there. And why do you
care?”

“Well, if you aren’t interested in her, I’d
like a shot at the little lady.” He said smugly.

Oh, hell no
. However, Jess already
expressed her concern about Liam. So he could let Liam dig a deeper
hole for himself. “What makes you think I want a shot at her? When
have I ever gone for one of my wolves?”

“Never. But the way you check up on her,
well it sort of seems like you want a go at her. It’s about time,
but if you aren’t interested….” Liam got up with a shrug. “Besides,
I think she’s making the moves on Brody. He does seem to like
her.”

Slater knew better. He really did. So he
made sure not to say a damned word about that bullshit. “Look,
unless you had a point to this little chat, I suggest you
leave.”

“Watch Brody. I don’t trust him.” Liam left
his garage. Thank God for small favors.

A minute later, he tried Jess again, but
knew she wouldn’t answer. He wanted to warn her about Liam, and let
her handle it herself however she wanted. He just hoped he hadn’t
screwed up when he didn’t chase her.

* * * *

Jess was alone at In 2 Deep. She was
decorating the walls with hunting and fishing gear to go with the
black and white photos she had already hung.

The quiet was overwhelming. She was tempted
to turn the music back on, but that wasn’t an option if she wanted
to sneak away when Liam showed up. She knew beyond a shadow of a
doubt that the douchebag would show up and she wanted an excuse to
ignore the bastard.

She kept having the same vision. Liam would
pull up, and pound on the door. When she didn’t answer, he would
pick the damned lock while she snuck out the back.

Even though she hadn’t touched the man, the
vision directly involved her. As far as she could see, there was no
way to change the course without calling the sheriff and sounding
like a loon. Or worse yet, calling Slater.

The night before played through her head for
the hundredth time. It had ended in disaster. She would have taken
him, and they probably would have mated which was the last thing
either one of them wanted or needed.

If he had followed her, or even just called
out to her, she would have gone right back to him. She wanted to.
But Fallon, God bless her, came to the rescue because her man was
out of town, probably banging some slut behind her back.

Her thoughts drifted right back to Slater.
She just knew he changed his mind, and after her streak of
bitchiness it was her fault and she didn’t blame him. To keep her
sanity, she needed to keep her distance at every opportunity.

By the time she had fallen into bed, she was
resolved to resist him at all costs. That nearly melted away when
he called. She had to unplug the phone from the wall just to keep
from answering. All she wanted was to hear his voice, which made
her feel spectacularly pathetic.

Oh, she had slept alright. She just kept
dreaming about Slater, the lake, and him thrusting into her like he
could become a part of her. Damn it, she shouldn’t be able to feel
that.

Her phone rang and she almost fell off the
damned step ladder she jumped so high. She scrambled off and headed
for her phone. She didn’t bother looking, just answered, expecting
Fallon’s voice. “Hi, what’s up?”

“Now you’re talking to me?” Slater’s warm
voice washed over her and she froze. He sounded relieved.

Was it because he really wasn’t interested?
Or did he want to talk? A few seconds passed.

“Um, hello? Jess, you there?”

“Uh, yeah, sorry. Wasn’t expecting you.
What’s up? Why are you calling?” Man, she sounded suspicious, and
she was. There was no way in hell she would apologize though.

“Look, I hope last night wasn’t too awkward.
It was nice to finally talk with you.”

She bet he was thinking,
and not fuck
you, Jess
. She could slam her head into the counter.

“Sorry I bailed. I just needed to talk to
Fallon.” She muttered as she climbed onto a stool and hooked her
hair behind her ears. When she realized what she was doing, she
wanted to slap herself.

He sighed, dragging her from her thoughts,
and then said, “Don’t apologize. Neither of us were thinking, but
that isn’t why I called.”

All the air exploded out of her chest in an
exhale. “Then why?”

“I’m not trying to step into your business,
but you mentioned not dating any wolf. I thought I’d give you a
heads up that Liam is on his way to…,” he took a shuddering breath
and she heard something crack, “to see you. He said he wants a
taste of you.”

“Okay.” That stung, and she really wanted to
demand what
Slater
wanted. She wished she didn’t give a
damn, but fuck.

“Just be careful,” He murmured. “Something
is going on with him. I don’t trust him as much as I used too.” He
paused, and she heard a thud. “I know that you can handle yourself.
I’ll let you go now.”

That was it? No be careful, or I’m on my
way? Fucker. “Later,” she snarled and hung up.

Then she stood there staring at her phone
for a minute. Even though he did absolutely nothing about it, he
was worried about Liam and that scared her.

The roar of an older Camaro brought her head
up. Well, there was the prick. She hopped out of the stool and
snuck into the back to watch without being seen.

Liam climbed out of his car as her phone
rang. She sighed, and answered it. “Fallon,” she whispered, “that
you?”

“Yeah, why so quiet?”

“Uh, my second has the “hots” for me, and
he’s a total asshole.”

“Sounds like your typical problem.” Fallon
laughed.

“No, I don’t know, I just have a bad feeling
about him. I haven’t let him close enough to get a read on him. I
just don’t trust him.”

“Oh, so like Isaac before you decided you
needed a read. And then Isaac turned out to be a good guy no matter
what you say. He’s taking me to see Shinedown tonight.”

Jess squeezed her hand into a fist right as
the pounding on the door started. She ducked behind the big freezer
by the back door, ready to slip outside if need be.

“Fallon, let me call you back after I lose
dumbshit out there.”

“All right, I hear it. Call me when you’re
free of the caveman.” She hung up, and Jess slid her phone into her
pocket just in time to hear the snick of a lockpick.

Oh shit
. Knowing he was going to do
that didn’t help. She snuck out the back, and into her car, dialing
Slater on the way. She fired up the engine and tore out of there
just in time to see a ticked off Liam come out the back door.

She put the phone on speaker as she turned
down the sound.

“Jess, you okay?” He asked quietly.

“No. Is there a reason why Liam would pick
the lock to the bar? He knocked, I didn’t answer. He picked the
goddamned lock and I snuck out the back. I’m on my way to you.” And
then a thought occurred to her that made her stomach drop out.
“What the hell is that about? Please tell me you don’t know about
it. I will be seriously ticked if that is something to do with
you.”

“What?” He’s at the bar?” He sounded
legitimately pissed.

“Yeah, did I stutter?” she demanded as she
hauled off for his place.

“Are you driving?”

“Yes, I’m driving. What the hell else would
I be doing?”

“Are your hands on the damned wheel?” he
snarled.

“Seriously? Are you the Sheriff now? Maybe
my Dad? I swear…,”

“Hey,” he snapped, but then his tone
smoothed out, “I’m worried. Okay? Liam has been a prick lately, but
I didn’t expect him to break into the bar to find you. I wouldn’t
have let him leave here after his little chat if I thought he was
going to push his luck like that.”

That calmed her down some, but she hadn’t
been mad at Slater. Liam was to blame for her temper. “Fine, I’m on
speaker. My hands are on the wheel and the gear shift, and I’m
heading for your house. What the hell is going on?”

“I don’t know, but Liam is calling me now.
Just get here in one piece.” He clicked over.

“Bastard,” she muttered as she pulled into
Slater’s driveway.

* * * *

“Is there a reason you warned Jess I was
coming?” Liam growled into the phone.

Even though Slater was seething, he calmly
asked, “What the hell are you rambling on about?”

He heard the crunch of gravel and the rumble
of an engine. He shut the doors to the garage to keep the sound
out. He didn’t want Liam to know she was already there.

“Well, it seems awfully convenient that I go
by there and then she won’t answer the door when I know she was the
only one at the bar. So I think you warned Jess that I was on my
way.”

“Funny, I don’t remember you telling me
where you were going or what you were doing. Maybe she just didn’t
want to see you. Ever think of that?” Slater almost laughed, but
this shit wasn’t funny.

“You expect me to believe that you aren’t
protecting her?”

“Tell me something, Liam. Does she need
protection from you?”

Liam sputtered, “Of course not, Slater. I
just wanted to talk to her. Ask her out. And now she’s gone.”

Something was off, really fucking off. He
trusted Jess completely, but alarm bells were ringing. “Good. Keep
in mind that I protect my wolves, even from others higher in the
pack.” Whatever happened between them, he would not allow anything
to happen to Jess.

“Are you threatening me?” He asked with an
edge.

“Are you threatening her?” Slater challenged
calmly.

He heard the door open and he held up his
hand to keep Jess silent. She nodded, and left the door open as she
stepped inside.

“I just want to get to know her. I’m not
threatening her. If she doesn’t want me, she doesn’t want me. I’m
not some creep who will push her.”

The old Liam wouldn’t. Now? Slater just
wasn’t sure. He motioned for her phone. She handed it over with a
raised brow.

“Well, good luck with that.” Slater said as
he typed out a text to Hayden.
This is Slater. Check the bar.
Liam broke in.

“Maybe she just went to pick something up.
I’ll just stay here until she gets here.” Liam hung up.

Slater took a long, deep breath and tried to
rein in his expanding rage. The idea of Liam touching Jess in any
way was enough to make him want to break shit.