Page 32 of The Kill

I step back, needing her to see me when I say this, really see me to know that I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make sure she’s never in danger again.

“This, this, has nothing to do with Blake. This is about me wanting a proper life for us. An unafraid life for you and Noah where you don’t have to look over your shoulders.” I pause and Mandy’s heart beat picks up, the promise in those words hanging heavy in the air between us. “And if I’m lucky enough to get that, with a mate, and a kid or three, I don’t want us living under constant threat.”

She stares down at her hands, worrying her bottom lip with her teeth. Her anxiety is palpable, afraid to believe that after all these years of running something like that is even possible.

“But what if it doesn’t work. What if he finds us instead? It’s Noah… I don’t care if they kill me, but he’ll want to keep Noah. Lee was his only hope for a grandchild.” Her eyes take on a faraway glaze as she thinks back to her time with the pack. “I won’t run again, I can’t Tyson. Couldn’t we just stay here, and lay low?”

I close the gap between us, because I need to touch her and reassure her like I need to breathe.

“How long do you think that will last? How long before stories circulate about the lethal vampire hybrid, Blake Steel’s brother no less, who hangs out in the cursed mansion now has a sexy wolf shifter mate?” I tuck a strand of her dark hair behind her ear and allow myself the luxury of sliding my fingers along her jaw. “People will come. And anyone who sees Noah will know, especially as he grows more and more powerful, that his father is someone important. No more hiding, Mandy. We deal with this now.”

Resting her fingers against my chest, she sighs, tired and scared. Like she has been since that fateful day.

It ends now.

“You’re going to get yourself killed.”

Tears brim in Mandy’s eyes as she looks up at me, a faint tremor in her bottom lip, and my chest swells at the notion that she cares for me. We might not be mated, but the bond grows stronger every minute we spend together. Tapping my chest, I give her my most dazzling smile.

“Vampire, remember. I’ve been dead before and it didn’t stop me.”

Letting out a strangled laugh, she tips forward, pressing her face into my chest, and I wrap my arms around her, moulding her body to mine and pressing a soft kiss on the top of her head.

“I’ll take care of it. I promise.”

20

MANDY

“You’ve already got it all worked out, don’t you?” Tyson’s arms around me tighten, like he’s afraid that if he admits exactly what he’s up to, I’ll pull away from him. With his scent drawing me in, I’m not sure I could even if I wanted to. Leaning my head back so I can see his face, I ask, “Or maybe you’ve already started. Tyson, what did you do?”

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Lucian drift into the room, followed by the shaggy wolf who stole breakfast yesterday. His head is down, his body language subdued. Lucian’s expression is tight.

They know something that I don’t. And it’s not good.

“We don’t mean to interrupt, but, Tyson, he’s almost here. As you predicted.”

I stiffen, looking up at Tyson, but his expression gives nothing away. He merely nods.

“Who’s here? Tyson, tell me what’s going on.”

When he presses his lips to mine, I can feel the emotions rolling off him. Determination, sadness, love. My feelings well up inside me, and I clutch at his shirt as he goes to move away. Stubbornly determined, I know whatever he’s about to do will set something in motion that none of us are ready for.

“Weston.”

Tyson’s expression is impassive when I frown, confused about what Alpha Weston would have to do with anything. “Is he not on the council with Blake? Why would he be helping you?”

He stills, and I know I’m not going to like what I hear next. “I promised him I’d help him finish Blake, properly this time, if he put me in touch with Lee’s father.”

Stunned, I look at my mate, this man I barely know but yet am praying he’s not the terrible person everyone thinks he is. That he’s not about to betray his own flesh and blood.

“Weston was helping Jenna?” I ask, but I know it’s true. All the pieces fit.

Tyson nods. “Weston wants the Head Alpha role. He tried to get it the right way, now he’s resorting to other means.”

“And just how are you supposed to help him kill Blake?” Those are words I never thought I’d speak out loud. Blake is beloved to all, but Tyson is his brother, his flesh and blood. How could he even contemplate this?

Tyson grits his teeth. “To be decided after I meet with your old pack and resolve our problem. First things first, my love.”

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