Kyle spun in the center of his busted house, drawing his 9mm when the floorboard creaked. A black wolf with golden eyes stood in the doorway, framed by the bright moonlight. The creature’s fur stuck out in all directions, as if it had had an even shittier night than Kyle had. Its fangs bared in a threatening snarl.
“You look even rougher than I do, man,” Kyle laid his weapon on the kitchen counter. “You shouldn’t be here.”
The were howled before shuddering and stretching forward, dark hair and long legs turning into golden skin and the man Kyle knew as Jett—Detective Hughes. Fuck it... Jett.
“You shouldn’t be here either. This is still a crime scene.”
“Everyone’s gone. It’s still my house.” He waved a hand around the room. “Piece of shit that it is.”
Jett kicked at the shot up couch. “So where’s your guy?”
“He’s not—” Well, Pete kind of was his guy. Kyle needed to get used to that idea, didn’t he? “The whole pack went out for a late run to soak up the harvest moon.”
Which was why Kyle had come back here to the house. He pretty much figured if there was ever a time to disappear, tonight was the night. This place was no longer a secret from Pete. Question was, could he really go? If he went, he’d be on the run forever. If he stayed...
The word “trapped” kept ringing in his head. Pete seemed okay, but something about Sherri’s warning grabbed at his gut. She’d looked awfully sure for a human who was new to their world. He didn’t know her all that well. Why would she bother warning him if it wasn’t serious?
“So. He left you, his intended mate, all by yourself? That hardly seems right.” Jett came closer, and it didn’t escape Kyle’s notice that the man was one hundred percent naked after shifting. Nothing unusual about that. They’d seen each other that way before, but tonight, after all that had happened, tension crackled in the air.
Jett’s lips brushed Kyle’s ear. “You shot those Russians, didn’t you? Ash took the blame. Self-defense. No way could Ash have gotten those guys.”
Kyle’s body shook, trying not to think about the men he’d killed. If he could section off that part of his brain, he didn’t get so crazy. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Hey. No worries.” Jett’s arm went around his back. A surprising comfort given the wall that usually stayed between them. “The report’s been filed. I don’t know anything.”
Kyle nodded. “Right. Sure.”
“I didn’t come here to get you in trouble. I came here to make sure you are okay.”
“Me? You’re barely okay yourself.” Kyle scoffed. “I’ve seen you lately. Even when it’s not a full moon, you look like you’re one bender shy of being face down in the gutter.”
Jett scowled. “That doesn’t even make sense. I don’t do drugs and I rarely drink. You know with my job, I can’t afford to lose control.”
Kyle rolled his eyes and flopped onto the shitty sofa he’d hauled in from someone’s trash. Bullet holes had the stuffing coming out now. “Maybe you should start, man. You’re so wound up, you’re gonna snap.”
“And you’ve got everything worked out? Gonna settle down with some wolf you barely know and help him run guns to Mexico?” Jett advanced again, putting them knee to knee. Which put other parts of him disarmingly close to Kyle’s face.
Kyle turned away. He refused to acknowledge Jett’s stare, or his body, or what looking at Jett did to him. He brushed off a whispered apology when Jett’s hand accidentally brushed one of the burns on his arm. “What the fuck do you care, anyway?”
Jett’s knee landed between Kyle’s spread thighs. One hand came to Kyle’s cheek, forcing the two of them to make eye contact. “I care about you,” Jett murmured. “I’ve known you since you were a kid. I do care.”
You seem to think I’m still a kid. “There’s not much choice for me.”
“There’s always a choice.”
“Yeah.” Kyle waved his hand toward the ceiling. “I can leave tonight while the moon is high, and if I never come back again, maybe I’ll get lucky and stay alive.”
Jett looked pissed, and Kyle couldn’t imagine why. Wasn’t like he was the one stuck between a rock and boy-does-this-shit-suck. “Isn’t disappearing better than committing your life to a stranger? At least you’d be free.”
Kyle shook his head. The need to move pounded through him. Too bad there was a massive shifter between his legs. “How do I even know? I’ve never been free. I was under my father’s thumb, then I was under Ramon’s because it sucked less and because you were there. If I run, I’m not free. I’m only stuck in a strange place, looking over my shoulder.”
Jett’s mouth dropped open, one hand tightening behind Kyle’s neck. “What did it matter if I was there?”
Of course, that would be the slip of the tongue that Jett picked up on Kyle groaned. “Come on, you didn’t know? It was never about being hot for guys with fur. You pulled me off the floor that day. You looked in my eyes and promised I was safe. It was about you, Jett. It’s always been about you.”
“Jesus. You were a teenager. A human kid. I couldn’t afford to think of you that way.” Jett braced one arm on the sofa behind Kyle’s head, scratching at something behind his ear. Whether Jett meant it or not, it caused them to lean closer together. “I still can’t. For fuck’s sake...”
“I’m not a child anymore,” Kyle said. He lifted his chin, meaning to enforce the confidence of his words, but it brought his lips awfully close to those of the man in front of him.
Jett’s lips brushed his. Not a kiss, but more of a tease. Or a taste. “I can see you’re not. Which is why you need to be damned sure about this decision you’re making. Taking a mate is serious business, especially for you as a human pack member. You’re better than calling yourself some guy’s property, Kyle.”
Kyle sighed. “The idea of spending my life with no home and a target on my back makes me sick.”
Another brush of Jett’s lips. “Giving yourself to a stranger doesn’t? Promise me you won’t do this thing with Pete. It isn’t right.”
Heat sparked in Kyle’s belly. He gripped Jett’s hips, frustrated and frantic for something to cling to. “I don’t understand this. You’ve strung me along for the better part of a decade. Why do you give a shit now?”
Jett’s low growl vibrated against Kyle’s throat. “I always gave a shit. I couldn’t— You know I needed to stay away from the pack. You’re a human. You’re young. I couldn’t promise you anything.”
Even as he spoke, his overgrown stubble scraped along Kyle’s jaw. His hips nudged a growing erection against Kyle’s hip. Chills raced over Kyle’s skin as need and anger and fear braided themselves through his nerves and bloodstream.
“Is this some kind of over-emotional full moon thing that you’re going to regret in the morning? You can’t fucking do this,” Kyle protested even as he let Jett lean closer, let him push up the back of Kyle’s T-shirt to get hands on skin. “He’s jealous. He’ll smell you on me. He’ll kill us both.”
“Not if you leave now. Tonight. He won’t know,” Jett whispered against Kyle’s lips. “I’ll help you. Like I did ten years ago.”
Kyle’s adrenaline surged. It wasn’t only the thought of finally getting away. It was Jett’s promise. It was that stupid teenager inside of him who hadn’t quite gotten beaten down beneath his father’s fists. The one who didn’t want to go, but if Jett was coming?
He’d go anywhere.
“Okay,” he panted, sucking one breath after another. Painfully hard and fuzzy-headed, he tried to think of the implications. He’d run through it in his head so many times, but now, at this moment, what the fuck had he just agreed to?
Leaving home. Leaving everything he knew.
“I have a bag. There. In the cabinet above the stove.” Kyle pointed. “Some clothes and some cash.” Jesus, he couldn’t breathe.
Jett nodded. “Your bike’s outside?”
“Yeah.”
“Trash it. My car’s up the road. I’ll drive you to catch a bus or something, and I can get you more cash. You don’t want to use any bank or credit cards. No cell phone.”
“You don’t need to give me—”
“I said I’d help.” Jett gave him a sharp look. He backed off to wait at the doorway, the moonlight showing every line and muscle.
Tonight Kyle finally had Jett the way he’d always wanted him, and they had to go.
Kyle wished they didn’t have to leave so fast. He didn’t know how soon Pete would realize he’d gone, though. Now was better, but as he grabbed his go bag, the tumble of rocks in his belly made him stop. “You said you couldn’t make promises. So what is this?”
Jett braced one arm in the doorway. “It’s like you said. I told that kid ten years ago that he’d be safe. You’re right that I’ve been strung up with my own shit. I didn’t notice you needed help. This mating agreement, it’s wrong. It’s all wrong.” He held out a hand to take Kyle’s bag.
As much as Kyle wanted to accept Jett’s help, pride held him back. “I’m not some damsel in distress.”
Jett’s grin looked off-kilter. “Fuck no, you’re not.” Stepping forward, he took hold of Kyle’s chin, leaning in and sweeping his tongue over Kyle’s lower lip. Tell you what, though. I wake up every day wishing I was someone else. I’m thinking we have that in common. Maybe if you get a lift out of town, the pack will have more trouble finding you, yeah?”
Kyle nodded. “Yeah.”
Jett held his hand out again. “I haven’t done much in my life I honestly feel good about, Kyle. Let me do this for you.”
This time, Kyle took Jett’s hand.
***
Ash stood inside the curtained exam area where Ryan was being held while he waited for Jett to finish up talking with the Feds. Sherri had said her goodbyes to her ex and now stood down the hall having a misty-eyed pow-wow with her former partner from DC.
After they left tonight, there wouldn’t be much reason to return. Much as he hated to owe the man who used to sleep with Sherri anything, if Ash was gonna thank the guy for saving his life, now would be the time.
Ryan spoke first. “Hey.” Probably groggy from painkillers, he slowly motioned in Ash’s general direction with one shackled hand. “You take care of her.”
Ash eased closer to the hospital bed. “Of course I will.” If she lets me.
A thoughtful crease formed in Ryan’s forehead. “You ever get sent up, Mr. Werewolf?”
“Couple of short county stays.” Asher wondered about Ryan’s assessing stare, but the question didn’t surprise him. There was a lot of stigma associated with his kind, some it from their tendency toward aggressive behavior. Many weres had broken the law, himself included. Ash had been lucky enough to straighten up before he got caught with his paws in a felony was all.
“Huh. Well...” Ryan’s gaze went distant. Glassy. “It shows you who you are, prison. I’ve done things... You realize pretty fast what you’re willing to do to keep your head above water, and then when you face yourself in a mirror, you don’t know who you’ve become.” He refocused on Ash. “I shouldn’t have called you a monster. I can tell you’ve been good to Sherri. The truth is, I’m the monster. I hate who I’ve turned into. I tried to convince her she still cared about me because the only time my life was good was when I was with her. I was wrong.”
Ash nodded slowly. “You saved my life, so I guess you’re forgiven.”
Ryan closed his eyes. “Good to hear. I’m a fucking dead man if Boris ever gets his freedom.”
“Jett said they’ll put you in protective custody. You’ll be okay.”
Ryan shook his head. “He’ll find me. There’s money he can’t get to. That’s why he wanted me out. I don’t think it was really about love for him.”
Ah. Sometimes Ash hated being right. “So why put Sherri through all of that only to put your head on the chopping block again?”
“He would’ve killed you. I owed her. Anyway, next time I’ll be ready.”
Ash tipped his head. “Good luck. My advice? Send him the damn information so he can get his cash, and wash your hands of the whole thing.”
He turned to go then, not caring to hear more. Whatever he’d said before, Ash didn’t care about Ryan’s money. Sherri was safe and so was he. These were the things that mattered.
He passed Detective Parker when he left the room and gave the guy a friendly slap on the shoulder. He’d been a big help with the family these past couple of days.
Ash took long strides to get down the hall to Sherri. She’d just handed a nondescript folder off to her partner, and a stapled sheaf of papers remained in her grasp. Earlier they’d been discussing Sherri’s condo—whether she’d sell or continue to rent it out—Ash ached to know what she’d decided.
He wanted to ask. But he didn’t know if he wanted to hear the answer.
One decision meant she’d agreed to Ash’s request to move in with him. One meant she was keeping a foot out the door. That maybe she still didn’t trust him. The very thought hurt his heart.
“Well, I’d better go,” Lisa said. She tapped Sherri on the shoulder. “I’ll call you with the details when I get home.”
Sherri clasped her old friend’s hand. “Thank you again, sweetie. For everything.”
“You bet.” Lisa waved to Ash. “Good to meet you.”
He wanted to grab his woman. Kiss her breathless. The wolf inside him strained to put his scent and his bite on her again and again, to feel her skin on his.
He needed to show patience though. If she’d given him what he asked for, she wouldn’t want to be mauled as her thanks. And if she didn’t? Well, if she didn’t, bullying her into submission wouldn’t be the way to change her mind.
She held out the paper in her hand. A rental agreement, unsigned. “Lisa’s giving her realtor the papers to put my condo up for sale.”
Ash’s chest nearly exploded. He pulled Sherri close, kissing her hard and deep, finding her tongue with his. “Thank you,” he murmured close to her ear. “I hoped you would stay. Thank you so much.”
She tightened her arms around him, but then pulled away a few inches. “I have a request.”
Ash lifted an eyebrow. “Is this the part where you gut my house and put kitten pictures all over the walls?”
Sherri smiled. “Not quite.” Her expression turned quizzical. “And suddenly you have me wondering how your kind feels about cats.”
“Not a fan.”
“I should have known.” Her smile grew. “I’m hoping you’ll consider, maybe once the sale of my condo goes through, looking into buying a new place together?”
Ash settled back on his heels. He hadn’t considered that possibility. “You don’t like my place?”
“I like it fine. It’s all dark and man-cave-y. Ash, this is a big step. I’m uprooting my life. I quit my job. I’m selling my condo. I’m going to move in with you. My entire life is absorbing into yours. I made those decisions and I will carve out my own existence here. All I ask is that we maybe look into getting a place that is equally ours, not a place that’s been yours for a decade and where I happen to have some space in your mahogany drawers.”
Ash took a breath. “I see your point.” He pressed his lips together. “I do happen to love those drawers.”
“If it means so much, we can keep the drawers.”
Ash looked into Sherri’s eyes and ran his hands over her arms. “You know,” he said as he grasped one of her hands in each of his. “It killed me when you were a plane ride away with your ex. God knew what was happening, and I couldn’t reach you. I love you, I trust you, but fuck knew if you were hurt or worse and I wanted to burn my house and everything in it to the goddamned ground. So I may be territorial, but it doesn’t matter where I am if you aren’t safe and happy.”
Her arms tightened around him. “You love me?” She’d heard him.
“Yes. So of course we can get a new house. We can build one on my running land, or sell everything I have and buy a new place with new land. Whatever it takes to know you’re near me and you’re safe, Sherri.”
Sherri blinked, a delicious blush spreading over her cheeks. “I think that’s the first time you’ve said you love me.”
Was it? His heart had said it so many times. “I’m slow. Forgive me.”
She smiled. “Forgiven.” She leaned in to sweep her lips across his. “I love you, too. How about tonight we can go to my hotel room? We’ll clean out all my stuff and take it to your place in the morning. We’ll decide where to go from there. Is that good?”
“It’s excellent.” He tugged her close to him. “Now come here to me. It feels like forever since I’ve held you properly.”
“I like it when you say please,” she said.
“Come here to me,” Ash growled. “Please.”
And she did.
THE END
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Next in the Lone Wolf series: Blood Moon Over a Lone Wolf