Had he mentioned anything in passing to someone else about what he was doing and why, or had he truly been working alone? The unknowns had the potential to cause a whole fuckton of problems. Problems that Thian would likely be the one dispatched to solve. He sincerely hoped Adele wasn't one of them.
Chapter Ten
The next morning, he blinked, frowning in the bright sunlight. Why the fuck was there sunlight? Tugging the blanket higher over his head so he didn't have to deal with the shit, it took him another moment to realize he smelled food. A few minutes longer to remember he wasn't alone. Surrendering to the inevitable, he pulled himself from the thin covers he'd been hibernating under, to spot Adele in the small galley kitchen as his mouth went dry.
She'd opened the curtains to let the early sun in and was wearing one of his white t-shirts as she stood at the stove. Looked damn good on her, too. The counter hid her from the waist down. Thian couldn't decide if he wanted to know what she was wearing underneath the shirt or not. The torture of wondering was a nice distraction from everything else.
Too soon, the illusion was broken as she came around the island counter, two plates in hand. Sadly, she wore a pair of thin shorts underneath the cotton. Damn pity, that. Taking the plate with a grumbled thanks, he stared at it. He couldn't remember the last time he'd had someone make him breakfast that he didn't have to pay for in some fashion. Sure, the club whores cooked occasionally, but the unspoken agreement was that they were doing it for favors. It wasn't free.
Any other time, they mostly fended for themselves or ordered something from the bar, which they indirectly paid for since they were responsible for the damn bills. Having someone wake up and make him food without an ulterior motive present was nice, but concerning. In his life, he'd grown too used to always looking for the duplicitous side. Came with the territory of the club and what they did.
“It won't bite you, Thian. I promise. I triple checked the dosage of poisons to get them just right. Potent, but not lethal.”
He couldn't help the snort at her sarcastic quip. He doubted a regular dose of anything would work on him, but he appreciated her humor this early in the morning. “That so, Princess? One wonders what you need me indisposed for. You want to take advantage of me, you just gotta ask nicely.”
The pink flush on her cheeks made him grin as she cleared her throat, turning away from him as she picked at her plate in silence instead of answering him. Did that mean she felt something between them as well? He couldn't decide if that would make things easier, or harder. If he decided to simply walk away, knowing it would hurt her made it worse.
There was no rule saying a shifter had to claim their mate. If they didn't want a mate, or if the mating was too dangerous for whatever reason, they could choose to step away from the pairing, to move on. It meant potentially never finding another mate, but for some, it was worth it to avoid the potential pitfalls that could happen if their mate was human or was from an enemy pack.
You could change a human if both agreed, but depending on who they were, that was risky. It could 'out' them if the human wasn't able to transition well. If they couldn't handle shifter life. There were a million ways shit could go wrong, and only a few ways things could go right. Mating and changing a human was always a gamble, a risk they both took. She was the Mayor's daughter and was being targeted by rogue shifters who were likely in bed with other political figures as well. If that didn't have 'danger' written all over it, he wasn't sure what else would qualify.
“What happens now? I'm not staying in hiding here with you forever, Thian. That's not how I was raised. Well... that's not how my mother raised me. We don't hide away from our problems, we confront them. We beat them, and we move on with our heads held high.”
Her voice pulled him from his own thoughts, and the unexpected gift of food he'd been making quick work of. Glancing at her face, he realized she'd been doing her own thinking as well. Her chin was lifted with a slightly stubborn tilt, which didn't bode well. He'd already seen that look plenty of times before. It meant he was in for a world of shit, and an exhausting time ahead chasing after her ass when she wouldn't listen to reason.
“For now, you will be in hiding, Princess, whether you like it or not. Your father was found last night, likely by one of the guests or the cleaning crew. They'll be watching the house and offices to see if you attempt to go retrieve the paperwork you claim to not know about. I can't protect you if you do stupid shit. We'll stay here for a few days, let some of the heat die down. Afterwards, we need to attempt to figure out how much your father knew and if this went further than him.”
Her lips firmed. “I want to see the papers.”
“And we'll get to them. When I say it's safe. Until then, you will park your ass and do as you're told. I'm not having blood on my hands because you refuse to listen. These aren't the white-collar criminals you're used to dealing with, darling. These are the low-class tier. They're the ones daddy warned you about, the ones they don't run charities for. They will use you, abuse you, and leave you for dead. If you're lucky, they'll sell your ass to someone who might have a shred of decency and treats you kindly after he's done with you. Understood?”
He hated being so blunt, especially at the near traumatized look on her face, but he needed her to understand they weren't dealing with regular baddies here. These were animals. They didn't have loyalty or morals. As a rogue pack, they didn't even have the pack bonds to sustain them. They knew no laws but their own and whatever kept money in their pockets and their bosses happy.
They knew by now that the shifter women were being tracked for their furs, as Snow and Gray had figured out with their mates. They didn't know if all the women taken had been shifters, but it was a safe bet that they were. They'd seemed so sure they could get a good price for Adele, 'even' though she was a human. It seemed that wasn't their usual trade. It made him wonder how many more female shifters were in the city.
If they weren't already shifters, then they were potential mates to shifters. That made it worse... a forced mating could turn the women into a rare cat whose pelt was desired, driving up their cost on the black market. Once they were killed and skinned, since they weren't the true mate of the male, he was free to turn women again and again. All the women, current shifter or potential mate, were in danger.
What they hadn't figured out yet was where they were taking the women from, and where they were keeping them until they found buyers. They knew the college area was the epicenter, but others had been taken from further away. Were they being picked off more at bars? On the streets? Were they being stalked first, or were these kidnappings spur of the moment when a scent was caught by one of the scouts?
Where in the city was secluded enough to hold them, where no one would hear the screams or roars of pain as they turned for the first time? Thian didn't think they were fully in the city, himself. Sure, they were taking the women from the city, but if it were him, he'd be getting them out of the populated areas fast. Shifting was fucking painful, especially the first few times, even as someone born a shifter. For a human? It'd be like the seven circles of Hell. They'd be terrified and traumatized. Privacy would be a necessity.
That was partially his job, to attempt to find more information on the operation, give them a direction to head in. Unfortunately, one of the best ideas he had would be to use Adele now that they were targeting her, to get her out into the open and track them once they showed themselves. The feline half of his brain loathed the thought. While he hadn't claimed her and at this point, wasn't sure if he even intended to, the idea of putting his mate in danger was detestable.
That feeling only solidified over the next few days as he spent more time with her in close quarters, unable to truly force space between them. He and Adele had fallen into an easy rhythm, a comfortable companionship with each other. Adele slowly began to open up, to tell him stories of growing up with her parents, of earning her Bachelor's degree under the shadow of her father. He'd learned she was engag
ed once, to some hotshot up-and-coming lawyer associated with one of her charities.
After hearing about the male constantly putting her down for her weight, of telling her she didn't look good enough to be on his arm, Thian was already pissed. Knowing the final parting shot had been that if she looked better, maybe he could have loved her... it had him seeing red. Some men didn't deserve the fucking balls nature gave 'em.
That's when she'd moved back in with her parents and stayed after her mom had succumbed to cancer. By that time, she felt her father needed her, and didn't relish the idea of heading out into the world on her own again, of trusting someone new. It hit Thian then that she was in the same situation again. Her father was gone, and she was alone in the world. He was asking her to trust him, when she had no real reason to. All she knew of him was that her dad had hired him for protection because he'd fucked up. He had no credentials, nothing to prove that he was safety in a storm.
Realistically, he wasn't. He'd done some shit he wasn't proud of. The club dabbled in legal things for tax purposes and to be left alone, but they also had not-so-legal enterprises to fund their expenses. They had their code they lived by, though, which made them a far cry from the rogues they were after. To him, that made the difference. To her? It might not. He supposed he owed her something, at the very least.
“I didn't really have a great home life growing up. Kinda the black sheep of the family. Still am. Did two years in prison after high school for some stupid shit I got into. After that, I got a bike, traveled the states. Ended up getting shot in Texas for protecting a woman from trafficking. Well, I say woman, but it was really a young girl. A goddamn child.”
“That's when the guys from the club found me. Gave me a family, a home. Been with 'em ever since. Some think we live outside the law, but we have our own code of honor that's absolute for us. There are plenty of things we won't do and won't tolerate. Hurting women is one of them.”
She frowned, curling up in her chair, a hot mug of coffee in her hands. It seemed she was trying to sort through everything, to decide if he was someone she should be putting her trust in or not. Eventually, her gaze met his. “So what do we do now? This is your world, not mine.”
Thian sighed, rubbing a tired hand over his whiskered jaw. The only idea he'd had so far was one he wasn't ready to entertain just yet. He couldn't willingly put Adele in danger. What if he couldn't keep her from being taken? What if they'd changed the plan and decided to simply silence her instead of taking her? He'd never forgive himself.
“Maybe it's safer if I go to the house, grab the shit outta the safe, and you stay here. I know I said we'd go get it and you wanted to grab some things, but the place is so exposed. If they've got people in the tree line, we wouldn't see them. It'd be an easy shot, we'd be down before we even realized what was happening. I couldn't protect you.”
He'd scent them before the two of them got too far onto the property, so he'd already be aware if they were there, but he couldn't tell her that. Besides, knowing they were there wouldn't help much if they decided to simply shoot them and be rid of the problem quickly. By the time he'd gotten onto the property enough to be aware of their presence, they'd already be well within bullet range. It was a shitty situation all around.
“I have to put my father's affairs in order and grab my mother's things, Thian. I owe them that much. After that, they can burn the place down for all I care. I understand the risks.”
Did she, though? He really didn't think she could comprehend that she could die. That was actually the better option. She could be turned against her will, sold to the highest bidder. Beaten, raped, tormented... the options tore through his mind as he stared at her, heart tightening in fear for her, a reaction he was wholly unaccustomed to.
She didn't seem to be taking this seriously enough, in his opinion. Whatever she needed to get that had belonged to her mother surely wasn't worth her life or worse. If she wasn't there, someone else would surely find the paperwork for the Mayor's life insurance and whatever else they needed. She didn't need to put herself in harm's way.
She moved to sit next to him, her fingers hesitantly reaching out to curl around his. As he stared at their intertwined hands, marveling at the softness of her skin against his, it took him a moment to realize she'd spoken.
“I'm 28 years old, Thian. I've lived with my parents for most of my life. I've never had a real job, I've always worked for mommy and daddy. I've got one major relationship in my past, and it basically ruined me. Both of my parents are now gone. I have no close friends, not really. I never made connections like other people. I always had to worry about their motivations... if they were using me for my money or my name. After this? I basically have to start over completely. When it comes out that my father was dirty, everyone will assume I am too. I will be kicked off of the charity boards I've dedicated myself to. Finding a new job will be hard. I understand the risks, but I need to finish this.”
How could such a stunning and selfless woman think so little of herself? It defied explanation. She'd dedicated her life to charity, to helping others. She'd given up her own life to take care of her parents, to work for them instead of going off on her own. He wanted to slaughter everyone in her life who'd ever made her feel like she was somehow 'less' than others, who'd made her feel ashamed to be who and what she was.
At that moment, he would have given everything he had, any of his meager possessions, to fix the wrongs and give her a life where she'd been happy and content, where she'd never been hurt the way she had. A life where she could be proud of herself and the things she'd done. If he had his way, after this was all over, he'd find out who the fuck this ex was and teach him a thing or two about courtesy and treating a woman the way she deserved to be treated.
Bringing their hands upward, he pressed his lips to the back of her hand gently, keeping his eyes on hers. As her lips parted, eyes darkening, his pulse sped up. The cat purred, recognizing the signs of the effect his touch had on its mate. Warning bells rang in his head, telling him to release her, but he couldn't force himself to care.
“I don't think you're ruined, Adele. Far from it. I think you're exquisite, and anyone who made you feel anything less is a goddamn fool.”
Chapter Eleven
The kiss was unexpected, but not unwelcome. When she leaned closer, Thian froze, staring at her for a long moment. If he gave in to this, there would be no going back. He knew it, both by the feeling of the cat clawing at his insides to claim her, and the emotions she'd stirred in him simply by being herself these past few days. She'd sank her nails in and beguiled the cat, and him, without even meaning to.
Unable to stop himself, he finally bridged the distance, their lips meeting for a ghost of a kiss before he returned, one hand moving into her hair to pull her closer to him. She seemed to melt into him willingly, hands curling around his shoulders as she shifted to move flush against him. The taste of her made his head swim, coffee blended with something sweet, seductive, and uniquely Adele.
It seemed to go on forever, neither wanting to pull away and break the connection. When they finally did, her eyes were bright, cheeks flushed. Without warning, she stood, moving to stand in front of him. Her hands went to the hem of the buttoned top she wore, gripping it tight for a few seconds before she decisively tugged it over her head and tossed it to the floor. As he watched, she slid the thin leggings from her waist, doing an endearing little shimmy move to get them past her hips and to her thighs.
Once they met the shirt, she stood before him in a sheer black bra and panty set that left little to the imagination. He was left speechless, unable to find the words to tell her how beautiful he found her. He'd never been a poet, one for pretty words, but she made him wish he possessed a silver tongue to ply her with sonnets about the way she took his breath.
As she walked backwards, he found himself grinning, instantly scrambling upwards to follow her as she led him back towards his room. He shouldn't be doing this. She was likely scared, f
eeling alone, simply needing a port in the storm. Realistically, he'd be taking advantage of her if he continued this while she was still upset about her father and everything that had happened. He knew it, and yet, when she crooked a finger to beckon him closer, he couldn't resist the summons.
Adele sprawled across his bed, teeth peeking out to dig into her bottom lip, and he was done for. He had no fight left, not as a man or animal. Tugging his own shirt over his head, he kicked off his jeans and followed her down, bracing himself over her as he lowered his head for another kiss, this time deeper, more passionate. His tongue twined with hers, battling for supremacy until she moaned and gave in, hands lifting to wrap around his neck.
He'd been made fun of when he was younger by a lot of his friends for the type of women he admired. They'd generally preferred the cheerleaders, the athletic ones. He'd always gravitated to the bigger girls, the shy ones most people didn't notice. He did. He loved the feel of a woman in his arms, all warmth and curves. The way the shyness gave way to unrestrained pleasure once they realized you loved everything about them and took joy and pride in satisfying them.
Shifting lower, he left tiny bites down her neck and across her collarbones, relishing the soft sighs and sounds of encouragement she provided. Once he cupped her breasts in his palms after freeing them from the fabric, he nuzzled his face between them, turning his head to tease his tongue across a taut nipple. Thian grinned as it hardened further under the caress, returning to pull it deftly between his teeth.
As she whimpered, he scraped his teeth against the sensitive peak, tugging it between his lips, toying with her until it was reddened and drawn tight. Once he was satisfied, he turned, giving the other the same attention until they were both a stunning red and Adele threatened to claw him if he didn't move lower. He wasn't entirely sure she didn't realize that wasn't really a threat for him.
Wayward Son (The Wayward Trilogy Book 1) Page 6
