Chapter Fourteen
Cadence clicked the TV off and stood, stretching. She’d been resting and relaxing all day, and she was bored out of her mind. The nap was nice, though. She was still exhausted when morning rolled around, thanks to the nerve wracking three hours she and Jameson were at the hospital last night.
Still, she supposed it could be worse. Three hours really wasn’t all that long, in the grand scheme of things, but it was about two hours and fifty-nine minutes too long. Every minute felt like an hour, and she kept expecting Winston to jump out of the shadows at them.
But they made it back here with no incidents and no sightings, thank God. Still, she was on edge. She always was, really, but she was even more so right now.
Looking out the window with a sigh, she decided there couldn’t be much harm in going outside, just walking around the yard. She wasn’t used to being inactive, and how was she supposed to relax when she was so restless?
Slipping into her shoes, she went out the backdoor. It was beautiful outside, the yard large with two towering trees on either side of the yard behind the fence, the mountains rising up in the distance. Walking slowly around the yard, she rubbed her belly. She was beyond relieved that the baby was okay, and one thing was sure. It didn’t matter how much she hated drinking water, she was definitely going to be drinking more. Last night was scary as hell.
Jameson had been amazing, though. Solid, steady. A rock, all the way up until they were at the hospital. It was like once they were there, he wasn’t able to hold his panic in any longer. It was heartwarming, honestly. He cared about her, and he cared about her baby, too. And knowing he did felt amazing.
Walking to the edge of the yard, she wrapped her arms around herself and sighed. She was pretty sure she was falling in love with him. She longed to stay here, for much longer than the three weeks he suggested. She wanted to stay forever.
But she couldn’t put him in danger. Her feelings might have grown stronger for him, but that part hadn’t changed.
“Hey, is—”
It took her a split second to register that the deep, masculine voice behind her wasn’t Jameson. Acting on instinct as fear washed over her, she turned around, looked quickly enough to make sure she was aiming correctly, and brought her knee up, planting it in the man’s groin.
He cursed, bending over and grabbing his junk, and she didn’t waste any time, running for the house. Why the hell hadn’t she brought her phone out with her? Or just stayed in the damn house to begin with?
“Whoa, Cady honey, slow down. What’s wrong?”
Her head whipped to the side, and she skidded to a stop in the grass as she saw Jameson entering the backyard from the side. Changing direction, she reached him as he opened his arms, and she burrowed in.
“Zane? What the hell are you doing? What’s going on here?”
“The woman I’m assuming is your mate just tried to take away my ability to make any more babies,” the man wheezed, voice strained.
Oh, damn. That guy was obviously Jameson’s friend, and she just kneed the shit out of his groin. Swallowing hard, she tried to find her voice, but it wouldn’t come out above a whisper. “I didn’t know he was your friend. I didn’t hear him come up behind me, and when he talked, it scared me, and, well… I’m really sorry.”
To her surprise, Jameson’s shoulders started shaking with laughter. Before long, he was laughing loudly, the sound echoing around the yard.
“Shut the fuck up,” Zane muttered, straightening with a grimace.
Jameson just laughed harder, and her eyebrows rose. Clearly, he wasn’t mad, and even though it wasn’t really funny, her lips still twitched. His laughter was infectious.
When it finally died down, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Don’t apologize or feel bad, sweetheart. Zane’s an ass, and maybe he didn’t deserve it just now, but he definitely deserved it for how he’s acted in the past. Cady, that’s Zane. Zane, this is my Cady. I have a feeling you’ll be remembering her now.”
His Cady? Her cheeks warmed, and maybe she shouldn’t, but she loved the way it sounded. Zane was glaring at Jameson again, but it only made him laugh. Apparently giving up on letting his displeasure known, Zane looked at her, an apology in his green eyes.
“I didn’t mean to scare you, Cady. I didn’t realize you didn’t hear me walking up.”
She shrugged, feeling sheepish. “I’m easily startled.”
“Understatement,” Zane muttered. “Jameson, can I talk to you a minute?”
“I’ll just head back in the house.”
“Rest when you get in there. No cooking, either. I’ll get us a pizza.”
She rolled her eyes, but smiled anyway as she walked in. Toeing off her sneakers, she sat back down on the couch and leaned her head back. She was a damned menace. At the rate she was going, all of Jameson’s friends were going to dislike her before the week was up.
Wait, why did she care? She wouldn’t be here long enough for it to matter whether anyone in Durga liked her or not.
Fuck, that thought sucked ass. Determined not to think about it anymore, she closed her eyes and concentrated on the feel of her baby moving in her belly.
Jameson stared after Cady as she walked into the house and then looked at Zane, chuckling again. Man, he wished he’d been here to see her knee him in the nuts.
“It’s not fucking funny, Jameson.”
“It definitely is. Karma’s a bitch, Zane. You were a dick to too many people for too long. The universe is just trying to balance shit out.”
“Fucker.”
“So what’s up?”
Before he could answer, Kian walked into the backyard. “Good, you’re both here.”
Zane frowned. “I said I’d find him and bring him back.”
“Okay, what’s going on?” Jameson asked, his laughter fading.
Kian stopped in front of him. “Vynn and I were out running in the woods, and we caught an unfamiliar scent in War Cat territory. We tracked it to the road, but it disappeared, like whoever it was got in a car.”
“What’s significant about that? We get strangers, humans, who come onto our land sometimes. Doesn’t happen often, but it’s not unheard of.”
“We tracked it back to the village, and the trail led to your fence. Right there,” Kian said, nodding toward the back fence.
Jameson swore his heart stopped. “When was this?”
“About two hours ago, and the trail was fresh.”
“Fuck! That was fast. Way too fast. How’d the bastard track her so quickly?”
Zane frowned. “You told us she was running from someone, and she’s been here what, four days now? Granted, it’s weird that he even found Durga at all, but there’s been plenty of time.”
Exhaling, Jameson filled them in on what Cady told him—how she’d left absolutely no trail behind her when she fled Tulsa. “She started having some contractions in the middle of the night, and I took her to the hospital in Denver. She didn’t want to go. Said she thought maybe that’s how he found her before, because she has to use ID for medical shit. But I thought there was no way, even if he found out she was in Denver, that he’d be able to track her. What were the odds he’d even be there, right? He lives in Atlanta, and she was last in Tulsa. And by the time he could get to Denver, we’d be back here. I thought the risk was incredibly slim, and I told her that. It should have been. So how the fuck could he find her so quickly?”
“She was having contractions? It’s way too early for that, right? Is she okay?” Kian asked with concern.
Zane snorted. “I’m sure she’s fine. Her knee works well, at any rate.”
Kian frowned. “What the hell are you talking about?”
Despite everything, Jameson found a sliver of a smile. “He walked up behind her and scared her a few minutes ago. She turned around and kneed him in the groin.”
Kian chuckled. “That’s karma, right there.”
“You’re both assholes.”
Jameson shrugged. “It’s just the truth. And yeah, she’s fine. They gave her fluids and shit in an IV and told her to rest and relax for a few weeks. But I don’t understand how this asshole found her so quickly.”
Kian shook his head. “I don’t know, but I’m going to make sure all the warriors are alerted, and I’m putting a rotating guard on your house. I think you should tell Cady, too. Have you told her what you are yet?”
“No. She has so much going on. I don’t know how she’ll react.”
“I think you should tell her soon. As in tonight.”
Jameson stared at Kian. “Why the fuck do I need to tell her tonight? Why the hell does it matter when I tell her?”
Zane growled. “That’s your alpha you’re talking to. How about a little respect?”
He snorted. “I’ve heard you talk worse to him.”
“He’s family. It’s allowed. But not for you.”
Kian shook his head as he held his hands up. “I don’t care how he talks to me, Zane, so stand down. It’s just Jameson. You know as well as I do that he’s not a threat.”
He wanted to take issue with that last part, but he knew how Kian meant it. Besides, there were more important issues to discuss. “I repeat. Why is it so urgent that I tell her tonight?”
“For one, she needs to know this bastard is close. Stop shaking your head. She does. She needs to be on guard. For two, the patrols will be stepped up, and tigers will be roaming the woods. She could easily spot one from the second floor of your house, since it backs up to the woods, and how would you explain that?”
Zane nodded. “All of that. Also, there’s this to consider. Women are funny creatures. They think so differently than we do. I learned that lesson well with Kelly, believe me. It was clear, just from the few moments I observed you two together, that she cares a great deal for you. Because of that, she’s probably thinking that she needs to leave soon, because being here puts you in danger. If she knew you could turn into a fucking tiger, she wouldn’t worry at all. And it just might make her feel safer, because she’d know you could protect her and her baby, too.”
All excellent points, his tiger pointed out.
I fucking know, he told his cat crossly, annoyed at his animal’s gloating.
“Fuck. Okay. I’ll try to tell her tonight. I just hope it’s not too much for her.”
Zane shook his head. “Like I said, she cares a lot for you. And you’re mates. I’m sure she feels the bond. From what you’ve told us, she’s been through a lot, and she’s strong as fuck. I think she’s strong enough to handle this, too.”
Or it’ll be one thing too many, he thought as Kian and Zane left. He followed shortly after, moving quickly. He needed to pick up the pizza and get back fast. Guards or not, he didn’t want to leave Cady alone if he could help it.
He hoped Zane was right and Cady could accept it. That she really did care a lot for him. Because he already knew he loved her. He loved everything about her, and he didn’t know what he’d do if she couldn’t accept who he really was.
Chapter Fifteen
Cadence finished her last bite of pizza, shaking her head as Jameson nudged the box toward her. She ate three slices, as well as a couple of breadsticks, and she was beyond stuffed. That might have been the most pizza she’d ever eaten in one sitting, but it was the best she’d ever tasted, too.
Cocking her head, she studied him as he finished another slice. He’d eaten almost a whole pizza, which was impressive, but not what had her brow furrowing. He was acting off. Almost like he was nervous about something, and she’d never seen him act like this before.
Granted, she hadn’t known him long, even though it felt like she had. But she didn’t think this was normal for him, and in turn, it was making her nervous, too. What the hell was going on?
“Are you finished?” she asked, watching as he nodded, still avoiding her eyes. “Okay. I’ll get the leftovers put away.”
He looked like he was going to protest, then he just nodded again. “Meet me in the living room when you’re done, okay? I need to tell you something.”
Frowning, she watched him leave, completely unsettled. Blowing out a breath, she put all the leftover pizza in one box and placed it in the fridge before throwing the paper plates away. Joining him in the living room was suddenly the last thing she wanted to do. Odds were, what he wanted to talk about was bad.
Maybe he changed his mind about wanting her to stay. Maybe he wanted her out by tomorrow. Tonight, even.
The thought caused her heart to clench hard with pain, and she rubbed her hand over her chest. Oh, God, she couldn’t breathe. She knew she needed to leave, had been saying she couldn’t stay. Then why did the idea of leaving now hurt so damn much?
Her breath stalled as the reason why it hurt slammed into her. Against all odds, she was falling in love with him. No, there was no falling involved. She was already there.
What the hell had she been thinking? She knew better. Men were scum. All of them.
Except Jameson. He might be the one man in the world who was genuine. Who was as nice and kind and caring as he seemed. If there was any man in the world it was a good idea to fall in love with, it was him.
And she had. Oh man, fast and completely, and if she’d met him before the disaster of Winston, it would have been perfect. She would have had no reservations about being with him. She’d be embracing this with everything inside her.
It wasn’t that she had reservations about a relationship with him, but it couldn’t happen. She was being hunted, and she couldn’t allow Jameson, his sister, or his friends to be hurt.
The baby moved, and she smiled sadly as she put her hand on her belly. And if she’d met Jameson first, she wouldn’t have this little girl. She meant it when she told him this baby made everything she endured with Winston worth it.
Shit, she needed to get into the living room, but she was still feeling a little dazed from realizing she was in love with him. She needed to get it together. If he did as she suspected and told her he wanted her to leave soon, she had to be composed enough to keep it together.
Picking up her glass of ice water, she took a long drink, grimacing over the taste. But the coldness of it seemed to bolster her, and she inhaled deeply before making her way to the living room. Jameson was sitting on the couch and he glanced over at her, finally meeting her eyes as he smiled.
She automatically smiled in return, but she was distracted by the worry and nerves in his heavy lidded blue eyes. “What’s wrong, Jamie?”
“What makes you think anything’s wrong?” he asked. She cocked an eyebrow and he sighed. “I just—I need to tell you something, but I don’t know how.”
The poor guy looked so reluctant and out of sorts, so she was going to put him out of his misery. He didn’t need to say the words, not when she already knew what he was going to say.
“It’s okay. I know what you’re going to say.”
His eyebrows rose. “You do? You saw them already, then?”
“What? Saw who?” Waving her hand, she shook her head. She wanted to get this over with. “Never mind. I know you want me to leave. I wish I could do it soon, but I can’t go until the radiator is in my car. As soon as it is, I’ll leave.”
“What? No, I don’t want you to leave. Not now. Not ever.”
Her breath froze. He didn’t want her to leave. Relief flowed through her, relief she really had no business feeling. Whether he wanted her to or not, she still needed to.
“Okay,” she said slowly. “Then what’s going on? You’re not acting like yourself.”
Exhaling, he ran a hand through the long strands of his hair. When he looked at her again, those pretty swirls were back in his eyes.
“Listen with an open mind, okay? I’m sure you’ve noticed that the people in Durga Valley aren’t really normal. But it goes deeper than just being weird, or because we have a different culture. We’re not quite human. I mean, we’re humans, of course, but we’re more. You see, we’re shifte
rs. We can turn into animals. Right now, the tribe is exclusively tigers, but now that Kian’s opened the tribe up, I’m sure eventually we’ll have more shifter types move here.”
Cadence could feel her mouth opening and closing, but she couldn’t find any words. What the hell was he rambling about? The words he used were ordinary, everyday words, but when strung together in that order, they didn’t make sense.
“Look, Jameson, it’s okay. I already said I know you want me to leave. You don’t have to make up crazy stories to scare me into leaving. In fact, it’s a little cruel to do that. You know my history. I have a real monster in my life to worry about.”
She stood, intending to go to her room. He’d been rubbing his hands together anxiously, but he shot one out, grasping her wrist. His hold was gentle, but when she tried to pull away, he didn’t let go. Standing, he stopped in front of her, his expression earnest.
And then he growled. Growled. Deep, from his chest, and her eyes widened as he choked the sound off. Could that—was he—no, no way. Right?
“Cady, I swear I’m telling the truth. I wouldn’t lie to you. Not about anything, but sure as hell not about something like this. I want to take all your terror, your hurt, all of it, away. I don’t want to add to it. I can prove it to you.”
Swallowing hard, she searched his eyes as the sincerity in his voice washed over her. Maybe, as crazy as it was, he was telling the truth. The growl, the way his eyes did the weird—but beautiful—swirly stuff, the way he moved so fast he blurred the other day. Maybe they were all signs of his true nature.
“Your eyes,” she said softly. “The way sometimes there are light blue swirls mixed with the dark blue. Is that because you’re a… a shifter?” Saying it out loud felt even more ridiculous than thinking it.
“Yeah. When my tiger’s near the surface, my eyes change. When I’m in tiger form, my eyes are light blue. I can show you. Kian stepped up patrols, and if we go upstairs, we might see one of the tigers in the woods. Or, I can show you my tiger. He won’t hurt you, I promise. He loves you.”
Jameson (War Cats Book 3) Page 17
