Page 67 of Fastlander Fallen

“I’m not worried about what they’ll do. I know what I’ll do.”

“What?” she asked, gripping onto his arms. “What will you do?”

“I know what I’m becoming. I can feel it. I don’t want to be their king. I don’t want the throne that killed my mother, and scarred my father.” He searched her eyes, and she could see the truth there as he said, “I’ll kill the entire Pride. This is my territory now. They have to stay away from here. All of them.”

“Maybe Owen won’t tell anyone.” Even to her, her voice sounded unsure.

“You know him well enough,” Ace told her. “I just gave him the ammo he’s been wanting.”

He was right. She’d seen Owen digging at him over and over. She saw the way Owen watched him and waited for opportunities to push for reactions.

“I can’t do this,” he whispered. “I can’t be a part of the Crew.”

And she understood. She could see it wouldn’t work. The Fastlanders would be a mess on a good day, and that constant back and forth was a lot. And living with the constant jabbing from Owen? Under an unsteady Alpha at war with his brother? They would all kill each other.

“It’s okay,” she told him. “You still won’t be alone. I’m still your friend.”

He hung his head and shook it. Exhaustion filled every curve of his face. “Let’s go to bed, pretty girl. I’ll sleep on the couch.”

“So I shouldn’t call you Bat Boy,” she said as she followed him up to the door.

“You can call me anything you want. My cousins called me that when I was growing up. I hated it, but it’s not so bad coming from you.”

Note to self: she would not continue calling him the traumatizing name of his youth. How different he must’ve felt growing up in a Pride of lions as a hybrid.

Ace was so much stronger than she’d realized.

As soon as she turned on the light, he scanned her cabin and his face softened. “I like your place.” She put her keys on the hook by the door and locked up. “It was my parent’s vacation home. They sold it to me for cheap when I was ready to buy a home. I’ve always loved this place. Hallie was staying in that back bedroom for months when she was on the run. There’s fresh sheets on the bed if you want that one.”

He gestured to the back door. “These are your exits? Front door and back door?”

She nodded.

“I need to stay here. Would you mind if I opened that window?”

“I don’t mind at all,” she said softly, making a note of his needs. Maybe his time in hiding had done to him what it had done to Hallie. He needed eyes on the entry points and a window open to sleep. All right.

“I’ll go grab a blanket,” she murmured, making her way to the linen closet.

Ace appeared in front of her and kissed her.

It was an immediate melting of her body against his. With a helpless sound in her throat, she slid her arms around his shoulders and lifted up, wrapped her legs around him as he caught the backs of her knees. “Where,” he rumbled against her lips.

She pointed to her bedroom and closed her eyes against the kiss as he walked them to her bed.

She thought he would push her for more immediately, and it was a hell yes from her, but he surprised her. He laid her gently on the bed and settled in beside her, kissed her again. Again. Gentle. Gentle. Kissed the tip of her nose, then pulled her in tight against him.

His heart was pounding against her cheek, and she squeezed her eyes closed at how good it felt to be in his arms like this.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured.

“For what?” she asked, confused.

“Tonight was my fault. You were in danger because of me. Because of my impatience.”

“Owen charged at us, not you.”

“Owen’s animal was reacting. He poked at me, and I gave in. I snapped, and it put you and Hallie in a dangerous situation.”

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