Skin Walkers

by Susan A Bliler

  “You weren’t rude.” She hadn’t been. He’d been the one trying to force her to do something against her will. “How about this?” He held her at arm’s length before pulling a kerchief from his pocket and handing it to her. Now that he knew she was hungry his inner beasts were roaring for him to care for their Angel. “We go back to the restaurant and order food to go. While we wait, I’ll have Shane bring in the laptop and you can video chat with Fena?”

  When her eyes lit with appreciation, Tyce wanted to fist punch the air. Finally, he’d gotten something right. Without thinking, he reached out and cupped her face in both hands. He wanted to kiss her so damn bad, but he knew if he did he wouldn’t stop at just kissing.

  “Tyce?” she breathed out, almost expectantly.

  “Come on.” He released her, dropping his hands to capture one of hers before leading her out of the park, eyeing their surroundings the whole time. He could scent Shane flanking them, and if he hadn’t just made a huge stride where he and Briel were concerned, he’d have admonished her for rushing off like she had. For now though, it’d wait.

  At the diner, Tyce—in a rare good mood—ordered way too much food. If they were taking burgers and fries back to Apex, they may as well feed everyone, and he knew from experience that James would devour at least four or five burgers all by himself. From his spot at the counter, he watched while Briel video-chatted with Fena, who apparently was totally enthralled by a game of hide and seek, because she cut the session short by waving and then disappearing from the screen with a delighted squeal.

  Tyce was glad Fena was having a good time at Apex, mostly because it gave him the opportunity to be alone with Briel. They waited in a booth for their order to be prepared and Briel watched through the glass as Shane paced outside.

  “He could come in. Sit with us.”

  Tyce’s response was immediate. “He’s working.” Briel’s eyes kept tracking Shane, and he could sense her guilt, so he rushed to change the subject. “Are you feeling better?”

  He didn’t have to ask. He knew she was, because he’d had Pyper check on her three times a day since he’d collared her. He’d also made a point of waiting on her hand and foot. He’d brought her soup, sandwiches, and hot tea four times a day until finally, she’d begged him to stop, claiming she’d had so much tea she was about to sprout tea bags.

  “I’m better,” she offered quietly.

  When her brow marred though, he knew she was thinking about the reason she’d been ill. She blamed him, and she had every right to.

  “You’re not alone in that, you know?”

  Confused eyes met his. “In what?”

  “In being ill. I’m not doing so hot either since gifting you my halo.”

  To his surprise, actual worry washed over her features as she narrowed her eyes on him. “You were sick too?”

  “Yeah. Just not the same way.”

  He knew she’d push, and before she even got the chance, he was debating how much he wanted to tell her. The last thing he wanted was to guilt her into coming to him. Still, Conn’s words played over in his head, and he truly didn’t want to wait or to hide anything from Briel.

  “What do you mean, not the same way?”

  He canted his head, thinking for the thousandth time how beautiful she was. Those amber eyes reminded him of his favorite whiskey. Intoxicating. Flawless skin, flawless character, flawless everything. She was outright distracting. Still, he forged on. “Aries said she told you of the affliction. Did she tell you how it affects the males?”

  His words startled her. This is the first time he’d brought up the affliction, and she wondered if he was going to admit all the things Aries had told her about Briel being his. Nervously, she dipped her head in a nod. “She said it’s an instantaneous trigger. That it happens when a Walker meets his...” Heat flooded her cheeks as she considered saying the word ‘mate’, but she opted against it. She wasn’t about to put words into Tyce’s mouth, especially about something like this. If any of what Aries said was true, then she’d let him make the first move. “When a Walker meets someone he is responsible for,” she finally supplied. “She said it drops you like a sack of bricks, and there’s a loud sound and a bright flash, like…like what happened to you at the hotel.”

  “Is that all she told you?”

  “She said there’s no uncertainty.”

  He shook his head once in affirmation. “There’s not. Did she tell you what else happens to the Walker?”

  She shook her head. “N-no.”

  He paused a moment, debating.

  “Tyce, I’d like to know.”

  He wanted her to know as well. Not because he wanted her to hurry and make a decision, and not because he wanted to force the issue, but because she deserved the truth. Still, he didn’t expect her to just take his word for it. She’d trusted him so much already. She’d been the one doing all the believing. Honestly, he was proud of how she’d handled things so far…aside from her one escape attempt. He needed to give her something as well. Conn’s words tugged at the back of his mind, telling him he needed to just be open and honest with Briel. Honestly though, he was afraid of scaring her off. She needed time to adjust. She wasn’t a Walker, she didn’t have any idea how quickly things moved with their kind once they’d found their One. Besides, she’d already endured so much change in such a short amount of time. No, he wouldn’t tell her now. He’d show her when they got back home.

  “When we get back to Apex, I’d like to show you something.”

  She blushed again, and goddamn if he didn’t like the way she lit up for him all the time. He understood the blush this time too because, yeah, he wanted to show her that too, but not before she fully understood what she was getting herself into.

  “It’ll help you understand things between us more fully.”

  “Things between us?”

  Feeling bold, he reached across the table and grabbed her hands in his. She didn’t pull back, but her slight inhalation made him worry she’d try. She didn’t. Her hands relaxed in his and he gently kneaded her fingers. “Yeah. Things between us. I know everything’s been really weird for you, but you’re handling it all so well.” He squeezed her hands. “I want you to know that I see how hard you’re working to trust us, to let us help you and Fena. It means the world to me. I’m really proud of you, but I need you to do something else. I know I have no right to ask more of you, but this is really important. It’s big, Briel.”

  Wide-eyed she asked, “What?”

  “You remember what I told you what my halo means?”

  She nodded again, lifting slim fingers to grip the band around her throat. “You said it means that I’m your responsibility.”

  “It does, and you are. And when we get back to Apex, I have something I’d like you to see. If you’re willing.”

  The scent of her apprehension, which only moments ago had been subtle, suddenly ratcheted higher.

  Still, she nodded. “Okay.” Then, as if thinking better of it, “I’ll be safe, won’t I?”

  The question made his heart clench, his inner beasts roar, and his hands itch to ball into fists. From here on out, no matter what happened, whether she chose him or not, he’d ensure she and Fena were safe for the rest of their days. “Yeah, Angel. You’ll be safe. On my word.”

  Chapter 22

  Back at Apex, Tyce helped Briel out of the Humvee and, per her demand for him to let her “help pull her weight”, he loaded her arms with bags of greasy burgers and still-warm fries. Shane grabbed the remainder and headed into the house with Briel while Tyce stood outside for a moment to gather himself as he watched Briel disappear inside. It felt right having her here. He wondered for the hundreth time just how he’d get her to accept him and her place at his side, because while he liked having her safe in his home, he couldn’t stop his constant thoughts about making her his in every way. Since meeting her he’d had a severe case of blue balls, and according to both Dr. Ames and Conn, there was a reason that mas
turbating wasn’t working. Nature wanted him to claim his mate. He ached for the same.

  Stepping inside, he was annoyed to find James lounging on the stairs. Half of his body was leaning haphazardly over the banister like he’d been waiting for Tyce.

  Certain he didn’t want to deal with James right now, Tyce rolled his shoulders in an attempt to alleviate some of the tension resting there. He’d hoped to make his afternoon with Briel relaxing and fun, and he knew he’d failed miserably. He’d made her cry and now James was beaming down at him with a doofy grin.

  “Hey Dom, how was lunch?”

  Tyce had always been annoyed by the truncation of ‘Dominant’ as a nic-name. “Dominant,” he snapped correcting James and then answered. “Not perfect.”

  “Well, shit!” James stood straight, folding his arms over his chest to frown down at Tyce. “Wanna tell me about it? Maybe I can tell you where you went wrong.”

  “James,” Tyce ground out, lifting a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose. “What. Do. You. Want?”

  James grinned. “Twins! Tall blondes with double D’s.” He unfolded his arms and cupped his hands out in front of his own chest, staring down at the imagined globes excitedly.

  Letting his head fall back, Tyce’s eyes pinched shut while his jaw worked. Inwardly, he prayed for patience. “James?”

  “Yeah, Dom?”

  “Go away.”

  “You sure? I’m great at giving relationship advice, and I…”

  Tyce lowered his head and leveled James with a lethal glare that had the Walker Sentry clicking his teeth together as he backed up a step.

  “Did you hear that?” James jerked his head to the side but kept his eyes on Tyce as he raced down the stairs and headed for the kitchen. “I think Conn is yelling for me.”

  They both knew he wasn’t.

  Turning, James walked backward, keeping his eyes on Tyce. “Yup!” He lifted a hand to his ear, straining like he’d just heard something. “Conn needs my help. Gotta skedaddle.”

  Watching James turn and jog down the corridor, Tyce wondered absently if Monroe would take James on at StoneCrow if he offered him enough cash.

  ***

  Briel sat with Fena settled into a seat between her and Tyce at the long oak table in the formal dining room that seated an astounding twenty. When they’d gotten back to Apex, the Sentries and the staff had crowded the kitchen to snag some food. Amused by the attempted grab and dash, Briel fisted the bags in her hands, clutching them to her chest protectively and suggesting, “Maybe we could all eat together?”

  Everyone frozen, and silence filled the kitchen until the swinging door squeaked open with Tyce’s entry. Without hesitation, he crossed to Fena, who’d been sitting on the kitchen island in front of Briel. Scooping her into his arms, he nuzzled her cheek a moment before declaring, “You heard her.” He jerked his chin toward the cabinets. “Lok, James, grab plates. Conn, you got drinks. Pyper and Shane, get condiments.” He turned to Aries who stood near Conn with Wynter propped on her hip. “I’m assuming Bragg and Bronco are on patrol?”

  Aries nodded.

  “After we eat, can you make sure they get their share?”

  Aries grinned. “You betcha, boss.”

  “Good.” He turned to Briel, sliding an arm around her shoulders. “Then to the dining room we head, to eat like the civilized.”

  Briel couldn’t help the giggle that bubbled up. Her life was so surreal right now. Shape shifters, Sentries, millionaires, badass bitches, and surgeons. Tyce’s ragtag team at Apex was actually starting to grow on her, especially James, who had a way of putting Tyce so off center that it was a joy to watch. It was also a joy to be sitting in the most elegant and formal dining room she’d ever seen while dressed in ripped jeans and with a greasy burger and salted pile of fries sitting atop an intricately painted fine china plate.

  Conn circled the table setting out cans of Coke in front of each plate. Luckily, Aries followed with two large glasses of milk for the girls.

  “Look, sissy.”

  She looked down to find Fena with two French fries sticking out of her top lip like walrus teeth.

  “Fena,” she laughed, “Don’t play with your food. Eat, nerd.”

  Fena laughed hard, enjoying the nickname they took turns calling each other, and pulled the fries out of her mouth, holding them up toward Tyce. Briel was surprised when he laughed and bent immediately to bite the ends off both with an animalistic snarl that made Fena squeal excitedly and reach for two more fries. Fena didn’t see Tyce spit the fries into a napkin and hide them under the table. Briel did though, and balked. She worried that he was concerned about germs or his weight, or something equally as foolish, but when he caught Briel watching him, he quickly informed her, “I can’t eat just now.” His scarred lips twisted up in a sad smile. “Part of that me being ill thing I was telling you about.”

  Sure enough, everyone got a plate with burgers and fries except for Tyce. Conn didn’t even place a coke or water in front of him.

  Worried, Briel watched Tyce and Fena interact. He kept biting the tips off her fries before finally telling her she had to eat some too. It was nice that he was willing to play games with Fena, but not to the extent that she didn’t eat. Watching them together, Briel decided that he’d make a good father, and then was surprised by the ache of longing that started throbbing in her chest with the realization. Before stupid emotion could pool in her eyes, she turned and eyed the table. Suddenly, she was aware of just how good it felt to be surrounded by people for once.

  She’d spent the better part of her adult life alone. At times she worried about becoming a hermit because she was a stay at home writer and, with the advent of food delivery and online shopping, she really hadn’t had much reason to venture out. It wasn’t until her father had run out and left her with Fena that Briel had started going out more and more. By then though, she felt awkward, like an outsider. Half the time she wondered if people could tell that she wasn’t used to social interaction. The other half, she just wanted to go back inside. But this, this was nice.

  Tyce sat at the head of the table—of course—with Fena to his right and Briel beside her. On his left were Conn, then Wynter and Aries. Beside her, James was making a show of trying to fit an entire burger in his mouth while Shane chewed slowly, finally pointed a fry at him. “If you choke on that shit, I am not giving you mouth-to-mouth.”

  James tried to retort around the bite only to start choking, and everyone at that end of the table jumped up…except for Shane, who kept right on chewing with a bored look on his face. It was hilarious and fun, and when Aries finished using her finger to hook the last of the burger out of James’ mouth, he coughed once before frowning up at her. “You ruined my shot at the record!”

  Briel laughed again when Conn slapped him hard on the back of the head. It felt so good, it took her a moment to realize that she didn’t remember the last time she’d laughed so hard. Warmth filled her, and when the table settled down, she looked over at Tyce. He was quietly watching her, wearing an intense expression as if his eyes had been on her the whole time.

  “You’re beautiful,” he said, and Briel dipped her head as a flush seared her cheeks.

  It was the second time that day he’d said that to her, and both times he’d done so in front of everyone like he didn’t care what they thought. She admired his boldness and wondered if he knew just how romantic he was being. Looking up, she gave him what he deserved, which was her eyes locked on his as she replied sincerely, “Thank you, Tyce.”

  Chapter 23

  Sitting at his desk, working by lamplight, Tyce sighed wearily and sat back in his chair to rub at the bundle of tense muscles centered at the base of his neck. He’d decided to forego that thing he’d wanted Briel to see tonight because she’d been so relaxed at dinner that he didn’t want to ruin it with his revelation. Now though, as hunger—for more than just food—plagued him, he was wishing he’d shown her.

  “I don’t know,” C
onn began, drawing him from his thoughts as the Commander leaned over to brace his arms on Tyce’s desk while he eyed the blueprints laid out. “Ain’t no sense in reinventing the wheel when Monroe would gladly…”

  His words were cut off when the house alarms suddenly blared to life.

  Instead of rushing for a weapon and snapping into commander mode, Conn shot Tyce a sympathetic look.

  Fuck, that stung! He thought he’d finally been breaking through to her, but after all Briel had learned, and all she’d seen, she was making another run for it.

  “Boss?” At Conn’s query Tyce lifting a hand to silence him.

  “Wait here,” Tyce bit out. “I’ll see to this. Tell the men to stand down.”

  Shoving up from his desk, he stalked to the door with purpose. He’d had enough! After doing everything he could to convince Briel that it was safer for her and Fena to stay, she still didn’t believe him. His mind said to let her go, but his heart and his inner beasts raged at the thought. Honestly, he was tired of the game. He didn’t chase women, and this was proving more daunting than he’d ever expected, because where he’d normally walk away, he wasn’t afforded that opportunity now. It was frustrating. Visions of bending Briel over his knee and paddling her luscious ass had his cock stirring even as his ire rose. He was so deep in thought that he nearly plowed over little Fena when she stepped out of her room, rubbing sleep from her eyes to look up at him and ask, “Where’s sissy?”

  It felt like the floor dropped out from under him. There was no way in hell that Briel would attempt to run without Fena, which meant… “CONN!”

  Without hesitation, he scooped Fena into his arms and raced for Briel’s room. The door was closed, and he slammed a shoulder into it. In an instant, his eyes took in the space. The bed was disheveled. Blankets and sheets were strewn about the floor in a path that led toward the window where the thick curtains puffed and billowed in the cold wind. The window was wide open, and as Conn rushed into the room, Tyce handed Fena to him before racing to the window. He picked up the scent of Briel’s blood before he even ripped the curtain back.