Page 65 of Rugged

“You wanted more on Mitch Chapman. That’s why you’ve been asking after him while I’ve been here.”

“Well, yeah, we have to find him. He’s trafficking female shifters, baby.”

“That’s all this was, to keep the stupid human close, so I could lead you to your… mark. Your target. Whatever the hell you call it.”

I popped to my feet. Started pacing. When I realized I was naked, I stopped and started putting on clothes that had been tossed onto the floor the night before. “I was part of your job. This” –I waved my hand around the room as my hair whipped about– “was your work.”

His eyes narrowed, and his voice went deep. “You’re not in my bed because of my job.”

“I’m here at Wolf Ranch because of it. You climbing into my bed at the other ranch was. I was only a job to you.”

Tears started to stream down my cheeks.

“I thought… I thought… I wassostupid!”

I fled.

“Lyssa, baby, wait!”

He chased. Of course he would. That was what wolves did.

I didn’t have my small duffel. I didn’t care about my clothes. But my purse was on the small table by the entry along with Johnny’s keys. I snagged both and ran outside.

Barefoot. No bra.

I dashed to his truck and climbed in. Started the engine. Shit, the seat was so far back!

“Lys. Stop. Wait!”

I shook my head at him. With my butt on the very edge of the seat, I put the truck into gear and took off, the wheels kicking up dust.

None of this was real. It had been playtime. A fling while he waited until my boss contacted me. No, not my boss. Lyssa’s. And he was never going to contact me because I wasn’t Lyssa.

I was Emma. The one no one wanted to love.

29

JOHNNY

I watchedLyssa peel out down the drive.

“Lyssa!” I shouted, but it was no use. “What the fuck?”

What just happened? I had to get to her and find out. I took off to the barn, the closest building. At this time of morning… yes! Boyd’s truck was here.

I dashed inside.

“I need your keys.”

Boyd was by Chestnut’s stall door, and he turned at my approach. His eyes widened and came alert.

“What the hell? What’s wrong? Did you shift?”

I was frantic, ready to reach into his jeans pockets for his fucking keys.

“Lyssa left. We had a fight. She freaked and drove off.”

“She’s not in danger?”

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