“Of course something is wrong,” Laurel said, whirling to face Lucas again. “He’s been alone all his life and now he doesn’t know how to let people in. All he had were expectations and two brothers who hated him. Seemed to hate him.”
“We don’t hate him. We’ve been trying to make it up to him.”
“He thinks you just came back because you needed things from him. You needed an invite to Lily’s thing and Jordan needed somewhere to train while on hiatus.”
“He knows I didn’t come for that. I didn’t know about it until I got home. I really did come back to start getting to know him. To try and heal the rift after I’d matured. I wasn’t mean to him. I was just cold. It was hard for all of us.”
Laurel sat down with him again, hugging him. “He didn’t do it just to use him.”
“Do you ever tell him you were sorry? That you came back to get to know him? Did you ever make it plain?” Laurel asked.
Lucas snorted. “That’s not how men deal with things.”
“Well, it should be!” Laurel said. “Because if you all keep your feelings bottled up like that, you just cause problems for us women!” Then she stormed out of the room, unable to talk anymore.
But she’d seen something different in Lucas’s eyes. Real guilt formed as he seemed to realize everything she was trying to tell them.
Maybe Asher would be mad at her for telling, but it didn’t matter. Someone needed to know how alone he felt, because he was determined not to let Laurel do anything about it. Someone else would need to.
She was done. Her body still burned for his touch, but one thing talking to her brother and sister had made her realize was there was nothing you could do for someone who couldn’t be honest with themselves.
Asher had isolated himself. Yes, he’d been mistreated and abandoned in some ways. But he’d also kept himself from making any real connections after that. And that was his fault.
She hadn’t done anything wrong to him either, and he’d pushed her away too.
Her phone buzzed and she opened it in annoyance, out of habit.
“Hello?” she said.
“Laurel,” a deep voice said. “It’s Dane.”
“Oh,” she said, feeling some disappointment it wasn’t Asher. “Good to hear from you,” she lied. Truthfully, she didn’t want to think about anyone other than Asher right now.
Dammit, she was in deep. Every touch had taken her deeper.
“Listen, I’m sorry our lunch got interrupted today. I was thinking I could take you out to dinner. Make it up to you.”
She sighed. “We just went out. I think I’m going to rest the rest of the day.”
“Aw, come on. I only just got you back.”
“Well…” she said, hesitating. She heard a loud engine vrooming up the street and looked out to see a black Mustang heading their way.
Asher.
She wasn’t ready to see him. “Actually, you can come now. Like right now. I’m ready.”
“Really?” Dane said, taken aback. “Great, I’m actually by your house.”
“Great,” she said. “I’ll be down in a few.”
8
She’d borrowed her sister’s clothes and was wearing jeans and a light sweater in peachy pink. She looked in the mirror and pulled her hair back into a low, messy bun with a few curls sticking out and then headed downstairs.
“I’m going out,” she said to Lucas and Lily, who didn’t react in time to stop her.
She couldn’t see Asher right now. She just couldn’t. Not after finding out the promise he was using as an excuse didn’t even mean what he thought it did. She was too pissed that he’d automatically assumed “suitable mate” precluded him because he thought so low of himself.
Perhaps it really was true that the most arrogant people were actually the most insecure.
And he had every reason not to be. He was tall, strong, kind, successful, good with kids, generous to others.
She shook her head angrily. But he didn’t see it and she couldn’t make him.
As she opened the front door and headed down the porch, she saw Asher coming up beside her. She ignored him and walked forward. He caught her by the arm, as he had so many times before. It was warm and comforting. She was used to it. But it had to stop. At least until he sorted himself out.
She jerked away as Dane’s car pulled up in front. “I have a date.”
“Wait,” he said. “We need to talk. There’s something going on, something with your dad.”
She glared at him for a moment and then rolled her eyes. “Oh, please, Asher. You just don’t want me to go out with Dane.”
Asher’s eyes flashed to Dane. “No, but that’s not what this is about. Please, stay.”
“No,” she said, jerking away again. “You’re not the only one who can run away, Asher Vale. You’re not the only one who can stay distant. I’m going out, and there’s nothing you can do to stop me.”
“Wanna bet?” he asked darkly, shoving his hands in his pockets.
She stared up at him defiantly. He was taller, but he couldn’t intimidate her. “Yes.”
He eyed her warily. “Fine. Have a fun time. But be careful, stay public, and we need to talk when you’re back.” His eyes darted to Dane again. “He has money so he’s not a suspect anyway.”
“A suspect?” she asked, exasperated. “Do you even hear yourself?”
“Your dad put a bounty on your head,” Asher blurted out, looking handsome and protective as usual. She almost wanted to stay with him. Almost. “A money reward.”
She sighed. “Well, in that case, Dane is definitely safe. His family had almost more money than mine did.”
“People can lose their money,” Asher said darkly, eyeing Dane’s car. “But he seems to be doing fine.”
She nodded. “From what I’ve seen. Besides, I trust him. Ask Lily. She knows him. He’s always been a gentle, good friend.”
“With alpha strength,” Asher said.
“I think you’re letting your jealousy get in the way,” Laurel said angrily, folding her arms. “Now if you don’t mind, I’m going on my date. I have my phone. You can call if you need something.”
Asher nodded angrily. “Fine.”
Laurel’s heart cracked a little at having to walk away from him, but she had to do it. Just for now.
* * *
Asher watched Laurel go with an annoyed glare, but there was nothing he could do. He needed to share this info with Lily and Lucas, and she’d be safe with Dane for now.
After all, Dane had protected her once before. And if he’d wanted to take her then, he could have. So Asher forced himself to shake off his doubts and focus on what came next.
He vaulted up the steps and came face to face with an angry Lucas staring at him from the doorway.
His older brother was the gentlest of the three of them. His work as a fight promoter meant he definitely had the best social skills. Asher tried to push past him.
“We need to talk,” Lucas said.
“I know,” Asher said. “That’s why I’m trying to come in. Also, does Lily know this Dane guy Laurel is seeing? Because they just went on another date and I’m not sure about him…”
Lucas grabbed him by the collar and jerked him down the sidewalk. Asher stumbled behind him, trying to pull out of his grasp. He was shocked when Lucas tossed him on the grass.
Rubbing a grass stain from his arm, Asher glared up at him. “What was that for?”
“For not thinking I care. Or that Jordan cares. Or maybe worst of all, that Laurel cares.”
Asher just blinked, staring at him, and then betrayal flooded through him. “She told you.”
“Of course she did! And you should have. Damn it…” Lucas threaded his fingers through his hair in a way that was very similar to Asher’s habit. Then Lucas whirled on his brother. “Do you realize what it does to people when you don’t understand they care for you? Why do you think we trusted you with Laurel?”
“Because
none of you could be bothered? Because you all had your own lives?” Asher spat. “Because you always were good at walking away when it was convenient. You and Jordan just left home, just like that. And came back as you pleased. I’m always the one left behind with the responsibility. Why should this time be any different?”
Lucas lunged forward and grabbed Asher’s collar again, yanking him up to face him. Asher was getting a little tired of being manhandled today. “Because Laurel has been taking care of you too! Don’t you get that? We did it for you, too.”
Then Asher’s eyes went wide in shock as his brother dropped to his knees and pulled Asher into a tight hug against his chest.
Shock thudded through him as his brother’s head rested on his shoulder.
What the hell was going on?
“I thought you understood when I came back between pro tours or tried to check in more often. I thought you got that I was trying to be a better brother. Jordan and I, we did care about you. Everything changed when you were here, and we were kids and didn’t do the best job coping, but we’ve been trying to make it up to you.”
“Then why did you make me promise?” Asher said. “If you trusted me, if you thought Laurel would be good for me, then how come you made me promise not to take her?”
Lucas pulled back to look Asher in the eyes. “What do you mean? I never said that. I said you were to protect her until she found a suitable mate. Which could include you.”
Asher blinked, shocked. “But…”
Lucas sighed and sat back on his heels. Asher still didn’t know what to make of the whole situation. Had he really been torturing him and Laurel because of a misunderstanding? Or because he was incapable of feeling loved?
He slumped back on his butt and the two brothers just stared at each other, breathing hard.
“You said no funny business,” Asher said. “Before you made me make the promise. I thought that meant she was off-limits to me.”
“No funny business meant not messing with her if you weren’t going to mate her.”
“Oh.”
“She wants you, Asher. It’s as plain as the nose on your face. I just don’t understand why you’re going to walk away. I fought for my mate. I can’t imagine just handing her off.”
“I have fought for her!” Asher said, brushing his knees off and coming to a standing position. “I’ve fought for her countless times. In the beginning, when her dad sent lackeys for a few months. Yeah, you guys didn’t even know about that because I handled it. And then whenever a douchebag who wasn’t a suitable mate was around. And of course, I didn’t think I was suitable. She’s everything! High class, gentle, sweet, fun. Who would be suitable? No one in the damn world is good enough for her.”
Lucas eyed him steadily. “Except maybe someone who believes that about her.”
Asher stopped, open-mouthed.
Maybe his brother had a point. If he looked at himself outside of his own distorted lens, if he looked at himself based on how he felt about Laurel, he had to admit no one else could love her as much as he did.
He loved her enough to want the best for her, even if it wasn’t him. He loved her enough to tear himself apart trying to protect her while staying distant. He loved her enough to never feel good enough for her.
Perhaps he couldn’t beat Dane’s money or class, or even his alpha power. But he could beat Dane at the one thing that mattered. Loving Laurel.
He plopped on his butt again. It was too late. She was on another date. One she’d wanted. He’d look like a jerk if he went now.
“What are you doing?” Lucas asked.
“Sitting down to plan my next move. I have to wait until she gets home, anyway.”
Lucas nodded. “I want you to make me a different pack promise.”
Asher raised an eyebrow. “I’m not sure about that, after the trouble the last one caused me.”
Lucas laughed. “This one is different. Promise me that regardless of any past pack promises, you will do whatever it takes to make you and Laurel happy, okay?”
Asher’s heart warmed. For the first time, he really did see the love in his brother’s eyes. It was time to stop misunderstanding. It was time to start letting people in, scary as that was.
And that would start with Laurel. “Okay, I promise.”
“Good,” Lucas said. “Now let’s go inside and get a drink. You look like hell.” He reached out a hand and Asher took it and got to his feet again.
“It’s been a long couple of days.” Asher laughed. “I’ll take that drink. And then I can pump Lily for information about Dane. My competition.”
Lucas put an arm around Asher’s shoulder. “I don’t think you have any competition.”
Asher hoped that was true, but just as he was about to go into the house, his phone rang. He took a step away from Lucas and picked it up.
“Hello? Asher Vale speaking.”
“Asher, it’s Lindon,” the voice on the line said.
“Oh. Hi.”
The voice sighed. “Listen, in your hurry to leave, you missed going to my dad to see what he had to say. Turns out there’s more on your boy than we thought. His family is in dire straits financially. I wouldn’t let him go anywhere with Laurel until we look into it further.”
Asher blinked and let the phone drop out of his hands. Then he swooped it up and ended the call as he ran for his Mustang, ignoring Lucas as he called for him.
His mate needed him.
* * *
As Dane drove to wherever they were going, Laurel tried to calm herself. She couldn’t believe Asher had the gall to practically accuse Dane of being a criminal caught up in some ridiculous plot that involved some sort of bounty from her father. Why couldn’t he just tell her the truth? That he didn’t want her to go.
Stupid Asher.
“How are you doing? You look upset,” Dane said, interrupting Laurel’s thoughts.
“No, I’m fine. Just had a busy afternoon, that’s all,” she replied. That and I’m sexually frustrated, emotionally frustrated, and just plain frustrated as well.
“You sure that jerk Asher didn’t say anything wrong?” Dane mused.
Laurel felt a little offended that Dane would talk about Asher like that. But what he said wasn’t far from the truth.
Dane could see Laurel frowning at that, and he coughed and switched the subject. “Anyway, I wanted to call you because there’s something else very important I needed to tell you about. Something about your father,” he said, then paused, turning off the highway.
Laurel’s angry tirade at Asher in her head was interrupted. “Something about my father?” she asked.
Maybe Asher had been telling the truth.
“Yes. I only heard about it recently, which is why I needed to get in touch with you so urgently. Apparently, your father has put a bounty on you. He’s promised a lot of money to whoever can steal you from the Vale family and bring you back.”
“Yeah, I heard just now, actually. From Asher, ironically,” Laurel replied, not thinking about it.
Dane raised an eyebrow, then continued. “Ah, did he say anything else?”
“No. Just that you were already loaded so he wasn’t worried about me going out with you.”
“Smart man, despite his looks,” Dane mused under his breath. “Anyway, that’s why I needed to see you. To make sure you were safe from anyone else that might be out there to get you.”
As Laurel listened, her mind still wandered back to Asher’s words back in the dojo. She noticed they were in a completely unknown part of the city to her. What were once new-looking commercial buildings slowly melted into old abandoned warehouses and empty lots. The kind of place you’d expect to find drug runners or see illegal fighting rings taking place at night.
What kind of restaurant were they going to?
“Well, so far, it looks like I’m safe. What’s the name of the place we’re headed to, by the way?” Laurel asked, curious.
Dane didn’t answer. “To be hon
est, Laurel, ever since I heard you were kidnapped by the Vale family, I’ve been worried about you. Worried about your safety with them. They’re not the kind of shifters people like us are normally seen with,” he said.
“What do you mean by that?” Laurel asked. Something was starting to feel off.
“All I care about is your safety, Laurel. That nobody can harm you or lay a finger on you. That’s why…” He trailed off, turning onto another road, leading them farther and farther away from anywhere she knew.
“Why what? What are you not telling me, Dane?” Laurel asked. A pit was forming in her stomach, but she didn’t want to believe what her instincts were telling her.
“Why I need to take you home, where you belong. Your father will be so happy to see you again, and he’s already agreed to let me mate you,” Dane said, looking at her with a cheery but fake smile.
“Of course, I don’t exactly trust him to keep his word. That’s why I’ll mate you first and then take you home for the bounty. Not to mention how much money you’ll inherit as your dad’s heir.” His ill intent rose to the surface beneath that grotesque smile. Like a rotting corpse hidden under a pile of fresh petunias.
“What the hell, Dane? What are you even saying? I thought you didn’t need the money!” Laurel replied. She tried the car door, but the child lock was on, and they were still going over fifty.
Dane laughed to himself, a bitter sound that punctuated over the thrumming of the car’s engine. “That’s the funny thing about money. Easy come, easy go.”
Laurel sat there, aghast and horrified at the situation. “Why, Dane? Why would you do something like this?”
“Because unless I get that money, I won't be the VP or CEO of jack shit before long. Stupid Dad, blowing the family’s money with stupid investments and making me take the hit for it.” He was angry now, angry and crazy.
Laurel looked around her to see if there was anything she could use to escape. But aside from a few receipts and loose change in the cup holder, the car was completely empty. It might not even be Dane’s car, probably just a rental if they were as poor as he said they were.
Alpha Protector (Wolf Protectors Book 3) Page 8
