Page 17 of Midnight Rain

Austin just stood there, as if he was soaking up Cormac’s closeness. “My gut told me something wasn’t right about Jaycee. It was the little things, like how he would jokingly ask who was texting me if my phone buzzed or seemed to get upset about something and then laugh it off.”

“Always follow your gut,” Cormac said. “We have instincts for a reason.”

“Wish I’d had your sage advice three months ago. It would have saved me from him.” He pulled back enough to look up at Cormac, and damn, those pale green eyes were even more amazing in the fading sun. “You hear about people being stalked, but you don’t think too much about it until it happens to you, and then it’s the stuff of nightmares. I can’t even describe how terrifying it is to have someone completely obsessed with you.”

Cormac cupped Austin’s face as he looked down at his mate. “Knowing what you’re going through, I give you my word that my brothers and I will keep you safe.”

His mate looked as if he wanted to believe him, but the guy’s world had been upended. It was hard to trust anyone when you didn’t feel safe. “Aren’t you and Duncan at odds right now?”

“Helping someone in danger trumps that.”

“But you promised you wouldn’t say anything.” Austin pulled away from him.

“And I’ll keep my word, but if Jaycee somehow tracks you here, all bets are off.” Cormac slid his hand down Austin’s arm. “Your safety comes first.”

Austin looked to his right, staring at the trees. “I’m being ridiculous. I know I should tell Paloma and Orion, but I’m just afraid she’ll tell me she doesn’t want that kind of danger coming to her house, and I have nowhere else to go.”

“If there’s one thing I know about your aunt, she’s fierce and protective. I don’t think she’ll turn you away because you have a lunatic after you. Knowing her, she’ll load a shotgun and wait on her porch, daring Jaycee to come anywhere near you.”

“That thought gives me worse nightmares. I couldn’t live with myself if anything happened to her or Orion.”

“Then don’t leave her in the dark, Austin. Don’t you think it’s better if she knows so she’s aware of the danger rather than be surprised if or when Jaycee comes to her house looking for you?”

“I should have never gotten her involved.” Austin bit his lip.

“Let her decide that.” Cormac took Austin’s hand as they started walking again. “If she decides she can’t handle it, then you and I will take it from there.”

Austin screamed and tried to run when Lila, covered in mud, raced toward him. “Don’t you dare get that all over me!”

Cormac burst out laughing. “It’s just mud!”

“Ack!” Austin turned, trying to shoo Lila away, but his feet tangled and he fell backward. Cormac raced forward to catch his mate, but Austin hit the ground before Cormac could reach him.

“Are you hurt?” he asked as he hunkered down next to his mate.

“My butt hurts,” Austin groaned as Lila jumped onto him, her muddy tail wagging while she licked Austin’s face, leaving muddy streaks behind.

Chapter Five

Austin knew Cormac was right, but he was still afraid to tell his aunt what was going on. Austin didn’t have his own mom’s support, and when a person lacked that, it wasn’t easy to place trust in someone else, even if that someone else had been kind and loving toward you your entire life.

Cormac pulled into Paloma’s driveway. Her car was there, so she was home, which made Austin’s stomach tie into knots.

“I can come in with you,” Cormac offered. “That way, if you have a hard time telling her any part of what’s going on, I can help.”

Austin was grateful for the offer, especially when he’d just met Cormac that morning. “I’m wavering between saying yes and telling you I need to do this on my own.”

He looked toward the house, seeing that the lights were on.

“Come on. You’ll need someone to occupy Lila while you talk to her.” Cormac got out then waited on him. When Austin joined him, they walked to the front door.

Paloma swung it open. “I’ve been so worried about you!”

She pulled Austin into a tight hug, uncaring that he had dried mud on him.

“Come inside.” She pushed the door open wider and walked inside. Cormac closed it behind him.

“I’m sorry you had to see that this evening,” Cormac said. “It ruined our barbeque.”

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