Page 101 of Vegas Baby!

“I never said it would help,” he replied. “Would be damn satisfying, though.”

It was difficult to listen with my pulse pounding in my ears. Even without the indicator of her scent, Ava’s distress was obvious. Why couldn’t this fucker just leave her alone?

Nathan and I listened as the pack comforted her, offering suggestions.

“Ava,” said Nathan as he whipped a U-turn, “should I bring your alpha back?”

“No.” Her voice cracked. “I’m okay. Catch up. I’ll still be sad about it later.”

“We’ve got her,” Jesse told us. “Finish your visit and we’ll work on a plan.”

I was torn on what to do. Ava had the others, and Nathan looked ready to commit a homicide. I probably looked the same.

“Let’s give her some breathing space,” I told him. “You and I both have all the finesse of a bull in a china shop when it comes to dealing with shit. That’s not what she needs right now. Let the others be soft and then you and I can raise hell.”

Nathan gave me a speculative look. “Who are you and what have you done with Luke?”

“Can’t a guy have some personal growth without getting accused of being body snatched?”

“Nope. I can’t believe how deep into shit she’s gotten. I had no idea.”

“You didn’t know about Andrew?”

Nathan’s hands flexed on the wheel, and he pulled another U-turn to get us back on track. “I knew he existed. I thought he was too old for her from the start, but Mom was fucking jazzed, and Ava seemed happy with the situation so I kept my mouth shut.”

“That’s more self-control than I would’ve had.”

“I feel like a shit brother.”

“Welcome to Guilt City, population us. I’ve already been through feeling like the scum of humanity for bolting before finding out we were scent matched and not being there to stop her from getting involved with him to begin with.”

“And how’re you feeling about that now?”

“Mostly just trying to make up for it. I can’t change it, but I can be the person she needs now.”

Nathan ordered me an extra large root beer, double cheeseburger, and large fries when we got to the restaurant. A replica of what I always ordered as a teen.

“Where to now?”

I plugged the canyon’s location into my phone, letting the computerized voice guide him.

“What’s the plan, Luke?”

“What do you mean?” I froze, a handful of fries halfway to my face.

“I assume you’re fucking my little sister.”

It was a damn good thing I hadn’t taken a bite yet because I would’ve fucking choked. How was I supposed to respond to that? “Not as often as I’d like.”

Nathan barked a laugh and punched me hard on the thigh, pain shooting through me before the spot went numb.

“Motherfucker!”

“That was a bold-ass move, making a joke about it this soon. You’re lucky I like you.”

I groaned, pressing my palm protectively to the tender spot. How would he have reacted if hedidn’tlike me? We used to roughhouse as kids, but it had started tapering off in our teen years. Apparently that was back now.

“I’m serious,” he said. “If you’re not going to take care of her, I’m going to take care of you, if you catch my drift.”

---