“Anne’s here. You want to talk to her?” Her voice was short and clipped.
Before he could answer, he heard the transfer of the phone from hand to hand.
“Hi, Evan, I’m here. She’s safe.” Anne sounded amused.
“I’ll talk to you later.” Evan flipped the phone closed and focused on the two men.
The two men stood near the car. Jake and Dan waited on either side of them. Both men looked calm and a little confused as if they couldn’t understand why they’d been stopped. A blond man, glasses and an obvious salon bronze leaned against the door on the right next to Jake. The other was a black-haired man in a striped shirt and black pants. Both of the suspects looked like businessmen. Especially next to the casual jeans and t-shirt worn by Jake and Dan. Evan wondered where the witch had found him and his partner. He’d expected thugs, someone whose services could be easily bought.
“Have they said anything?” Evan asked. “Have you called the Protectorate?”
“Yes, they’re on their way. As to these two, they haven’t said a word. Not even when we first stopped them. A sure sign that they aren’t innocent.”
Evan tilted his head. “Not even a why in the hell are you stopping me? That is suspicious. Most people would be as angry as hell about being forced to stop.”
He walked around the car and looked into it through the windows. Other than a paper bag in the middle of the seat, the car was clean. The gray vehicle would blend in with hundreds of others like it.
“Who told you to follow us?” Evan rounded the car and stood in front of the dark-haired man.
The man’s mouth opened. Evan actually felt the spell take hold. It was powerful. He could tell that just from the feel. Evan watched as the man grabbed his throat and his eyes widened. His mouth worked, but no sound emerged. The witch had put a spell on the men to keep them from revealing her identity.
“Fuck.” Evan clenched his fists and swung away from the two men.
Until they managed to get that spell off the men, they wouldn’t be able to learn anything about who sent them or why. He knew enough about the witch now to know that it wouldn’t be easy to remove the spell. She’d make it extremely difficult to remove her safeguard and still leave the men in a condition where they could speak.
“They’ll have to be guarded by a witch,” Jake said. “If she’s willing to take away their choice, it wouldn’t be much of a jump to killing them to keep her secret.”
It wasn’t a stretch at all. Evan just didn’t know if these two men knew enough for her to take that kind of chance. She’d already broken many of the witches’ laws, but the witch hadn’t killed anyone yet. He didn’t know if that was something she didn’t want to do or if she just hadn’t gotten angry enough to do it.
“Make sure the Protectorate guards understand that. I want to know as soon as they discover anything,” Evan ordered.
He stayed only until the Protectorate arrived. He wanted to get back to Genny. They really did need to talk. He had a feeling she was still thinking about their relationship as a temporary affair. That would stop. Also, her comment that she wasn’t a werewolf had struck a chord. He hadn’t changed her after the spell was removed. The urge had been there, but he’d decided she needed time. Time apparently hadn’t shown her that what they had between them was more than great sex.
He pulled into his driveway, making sure he didn’t block Anne’s car. The talk he planned to have with Genny definitely didn’t need an audience. Genny wasn’t going to like everything he had to say and would probably have plenty of opinions of her own.
Anne met him at the door. She smiled. “I’ve got to go. I have a date and if I hurry, I still have time to get ready.”
Evan shook his head. “Don’t seem so eager. Make him wait for you.”
Anne laughed. “We have reservations, but maybe next time. I’ll be sure to tell Geneva how fond you are of waiting for a woman.”
“Ah, but she lives with me.” He stepped out of his sister’s way. “I’ll talk to you later, Anne.”
“Good, I’ll want to know if you’ve found anything new.” Anne waved and hurried down the steps to the path leading to the driveway.
Evan watched until she was in the car and then he closed the door. He walked down the hallway intent on finding Genny. This wasn’t the best time for the talk he knew she’d want to have. Her remarks earlier had stirred the beast in him. The importance of keeping her safe had pushed it to the side for a while, but he hadn’t forgotten. The wolf inside wanted nothing more than to prove in the most elemental way possible that she belonged with him and hurry the change in her.
He’d wanted to do it since the spell had been taken off her. If she’d been out of danger, he wouldn’t have any hesitation. But she was in danger. She still had a witch who wanted to hurt her and it was affecting every part of her life. She wasn’t sleeping well. There were days when she hardly ate and then only at his insistence. At times, she jumped at the smallest sound. The tension hadn’t eased a bit and he was beginning to worry about her health. She looked fragile and so tired. He knew the change would throw her life into even more chaos. She’d feel the certainty of the mating, but he had no doubt that she’d still fight it and herself. She didn’t need the added stress.
Knowing it and sticking to that plan were two different things. A part of him didn’t want to wait and wanted to follow his instincts. He took a few deep breaths and thought he had himself under control. He should be able to handle the talk unless she tried to run away from him.
Her sweet scent filled his senses. He felt his body harden with arousal. Maybe if he took her to bed, he could delay this argument and relieve a little stress for both of them. He found her in the living room lounging on the couch. She looked up when he stopped in the doorway. She didn’t smile. She slowly straightened, her hands on her legs. Her head tilted to the side and her shoulders shifted just slightly. She looked like she was getting ready for a fight.
“What did the men say?” she asked quietly.
Her tone and the tension in her body told him more clearly than words that she was angry. She tapped her foot. He held back a smile at that impatient gesture. She hadn’t wanted to stay here and she’d probably fumed since he’d left. Deliberately, he walked at a slow pace to the chair and sat down. He rested one arm on the padded rest. She needed a little time to calm down. He didn’t want to get in an argument with her now.
“They didn’t say anything. The witch put a spell on them. Even if they wanted to tell us anything, they couldn’t have said a word. The Protectorate witches will protect them as well as remove that spell.” He shrugged. It was the waiting that would test both their tempers and patience. He knew the answers wouldn’t come quickly.
“Damn.” She shoved off the couch and began crossing and recrossing the room.
She turned and started back toward the couch. He watched her pace for a few moments, letting her burn off a little of the anger and frustration. He was more than ready to talk about their relationship. Since he’d decided he couldn’t tie her to him with the change, he needed to do it in another way.
“This is impossible.” She thrust a hand through her hair. “We’re never going to stop her at this rate.”
“We’ll stop the person.” He stood and walked over to her, wanting to comfort her.
She shook her head. “I’ve made a decision. You’re not going to like it, but I’m not going to change my mind.”
He looked at her and could see the determination in her eyes. She wasn’t totally calm, but he knew she’d come to some conclusion. She should know by now that he wasn’t going to let her risk her life or do anything foolish. He tensed. She was probably right in her belief he wouldn’t like what she had to say. He braced himself trying to get a firm grip on his control.
“What decision did you make, Genny?” he asked slowly. He didn’t want to immediately shout a denial and scare her, but he wasn’t going to let her have any doubt on the subject.
&
nbsp; “I’m not going to play this waiting game any longer. I’m tired of it. The witch will never show while you’re near me. We could still be doing this two years from now and I won’t do that.” Her eyes focused beyond him and she drew in a shaky breath.
He gritted his teeth and took in gulps of air, fighting to keep his hands at his side. He wanted to stalk over there and hold her still until she listened to him. He had to wait a few minutes until he gained a little more calmness before he could say anything in a voice close to normal.
“What are you thinking of doing?” He kept his eyes locked on her and saw her swallow and ease back a step. Maybe she saw something of his feelings in his eyes or maybe she’d just guessed that the calm appearance was a façade.
“I’m going to leave tomorrow. As soon as the witch is caught, we can settle what’s between us.” She lifted her chin and met his eyes without looking away.
“No. You won’t be running into danger. I won’t let you be vulnerable like that. You’re my mate.” His hand slashed through the air and he took a step forward.
“I’m not your mate, damn it. Lover, yes, but that doesn’t give you the right to tell me what to do when it’s me that’s most affected by this freaking spell. I’m tired of living in fear of what the witch is going to do next.” She put her hands on her hips and scowled at him. She looked as if she wanted to strangle him. He stalked closer to her, half expecting her to bolt. The wild animal part of him tensed in anticipation and anger. He wanted to put all doubts that she was his mate out of her head. She wasn’t going anywhere and it was past time that she faced the truth. His hand cupped her chin, but he didn’t hold her. He didn’t want to chance bruising her accidentally.
“You are my mate, my woman, my lover. Do you think I can just let you walk into danger?” He struggled with the urge to just grab her, take her to bed and talk later.
“This is getting us nowhere. I’m not going to change my mind about this. I’m going to stop this witch. You can help or you can make this more difficult.” She tapped her fingers on her hip. There was no mistaking that she was serious with that ultimatum.
“Do you think that I’m playing some kind of game? Denying you simply because I like to have my way? I can’t stand for you to be in danger. The wolf part of me won’t be able to tolerate it.” He dropped his hand to his side because the temptation to haul her close was getting too strong.
“I don’t think you’re playing a game, but you haven’t thought of this from my point of view. I’m tired of hiding from the witch, from her spells and her hired thugs.” She threw her hands up and turned away from him, exhaling loudly.
“You’re going to have to be a little more patient. We’ll catch her, but you’re not going to act as the bait.” He hoped she’d just let the matter drop, but he knew she was angry. She’d probably keeping pushing the issue.
She slashed an angry glance at him. “You just won’t listen, will you?”
She spun and walked away. He thought she was just putting some more distance between them until she grabbed her car keys off a small hook. He jumped forward and simply stood in front of her, blocking her way.
“Give me the keys.” He held out his hand. “You’re not going anywhere.”
He waited for her to realize he wasn’t moving. She gritted her teeth and shifted on her feet. He smiled slightly at the sign of her nervousness. She’d hand over the keys soon.
“I’m leaving now, Evan. This is my choice,” she said slowly.
“No, it isn’t your choice. It would affect both of us. You’re not going to take these chances.” He tried to keep a smile off his face. He loved that she wasn’t afraid to fight with him and the challenge in her eyes excited him.
Geneva wanted to punch him. He wouldn’t listen. Hell, he didn’t even seem to see any problem with the way they’d been doing things. She knew hitting him wouldn’t work. He just stood there like a large rock and punching him would probably hurt just as much as hitting stone. There had to be some way of getting him to move. Her fingers closed around the keys. Metal bit into her palm. She remembered the other set of keys on the back hook beside where hers had been hanging. Evan’s keys.
“You want these?” She held them up and jingled them.
He merely arched one of his eyebrows. The freaking arrogant man didn’t so much as nod. He was so sure that he was going to get his way. She clenched her teeth to keep from yelling at him. That attitude was getting on her nerves just as much as the waiting.
“Fine.” She tossed them to the right of him toward the front door.
His eyes followed the keys until they hit the floor. “Now we’re going into the living room and talk this over calmly.”
She didn’t want calm. She wanted to do something to stop the witch. Now, this minute, before she went crazy. She was tired of living with the fear. Grabbing the second set of keys and running straight for the front door wouldn’t get her out of the house. He must have seen something in her eyes, because he stepped closer to her and watched her intently.
“No more, Geneva. Try to remember that you being in danger isn’t easy for me either.” His hands cupped her shoulders. The weight of his hands felt both confining and comforting, but she was too keyed up to let herself relax. Staying here with his sister as he went to check on the two men had left her with nothing to think about except that all she’d been doing so far had been hiding and running. No matter what he said it was going to stop. She felt like a coward.
“It isn’t easy for you.” She drew in a quick outraged breath and put her hands on her hips. “You can do things. You go and face those who come after us. All I do is wait and worry.”
“You think being able to go out and confront them would solve everything. It would only make it worse. The witch would see an opportunity and become more aggressive.” His hands tightened just slightly.
“The witch would make a mistake.” She knew that giving the witch or wizard an opportunity would be dangerous, but staying out of sight wasn’t getting a thing done. She wasn’t afraid of something happening to her. She was afraid that someone else would be hurt. Something had to be done. This could go on indefinitely. She wasn’t sure how much more of the tension she could take.
“They might or might not, but it would push me to the edge. I’ve been controlling my instincts so far. I’m not human. The danger you’re in doesn’t just make me want to protect you. I want to rip your tormenter apart. I want to take you where no one will find you. I need to change you so you’re harder to hurt.” His voice roughened.
She just shook her head. “You’re always saying things like that, but I haven’t seen any proof of it. You’re handling the stress better than I am.”
“No, I’m not. All I’m managing to do is hold back from doing everything I want to do.” He lifted one hand and held it up in front of her.
She drew in a sharp breath. A shaft of fear crawled up her spine. The hair on his arms had lengthened. The hair wasn’t as heavy on the back of his hand, but it was his nails that caught her attention. They’d changed, darkened to blunt-tipped, black claws. She realized he wasn’t in as much control as he seemed to be. She bit her lip. That wasn’t comforting. She knew her own temper was nearly out of control.
“I can’t just wait anymore.” She closed her eyes. This wasn’t something she simply could rethink and change her mind. The facts would still be facts. She couldn’t do this anymore.
“Come on. We’ll go talk about it.” He stepped back and gestured her to precede him into the living room.
Talking wasn’t going to help. She wasn’t going to let him talk her out of this.
“No, I’m not going to change my mind. There’s nothing to talk about. It’s my choice. I’m going to stop that witch whatever it takes.” She met his eyes unwilling to let him have any doubt she meant what she said.
A low growl rumbled. She lunged for the second set of keys on the hook and bolted. His lips pulled back revealing lengthened canines. Her heart slammed
against her rib cage. Her only thought was that she needed to get away from him before he grabbed her. If he caught her, he wouldn’t let her out of his sight. She dashed down the hallway to the kitchen. Fear and urgency pounded through her. Her feet skidded on a rug in the hallway. She gasped. Her feet slipped and her arms waved as she fought for balance.
She managed to stay on her feet, but felt the brush of his fingers on her back. She thought for a moment he had her. Her eyes widened and she expected those fingers to clench and haul her to a stop. She felt a brief tug and then his fingers slid down her back. Relief flooded through her. She heard a thump, but didn’t dare look back over her shoulder. She didn’t dare risk slowing down. Keys jangled with every step.
Even if he’d fallen, he was too fast to risk it. She fumbled with the lock to the sturdy door, but pulled it open. She darted forward. Her hands hit the latch on the glass outer door just before she ran into it. She heard footsteps on the kitchen tile as she leapt down the steps onto the grass. She ran for the gate. If she was lucky, she could get out into the front yard. He wouldn’t grab her or do anything to bring attention on what he was in this area. At least she hoped he wouldn’t. Too close, he was too damn close. She heard what sounded like a low howl and the pounding thud of footsteps. The door slammed into the wall.
She ran into the gate, bounced back a step. She reached for the latch as she approached it. Her fingers missed it. She managed to get it unhooked and shoved it open. She dived forward intent on running for the open area at the front of the house. An arm curled around her midriff. Her breath burst out of her as she was hauled to a quick stop. She felt the puff of his breath through her hair. He hauled her back against his body, lifted her off her feet and pulled her back into the yard. The gate swung shut.
She went wild. Her fingernails dug into his arm and she kicked back at him. Her tennis shoe slammed into his shin. His head lowered and a growl rumbled. She felt the vibration against her back. His teeth closed over her shoulder. She felt the sharp prick of teeth even through her shirt. She stilled. Her feet dangled just above the grass. Hot breath filtered through the fabric. Maybe it was time to try to calm him down. She knew she wasn’t getting out of his hold. His arms felt like steel bands around her waist. As soon as she relaxed, his mouth moved to her neck. His teeth nipped. She gasped at the tingling sting. His tongue lapped at the small spot.
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