Page 6 of Forbidden Love

She was the woman who had opened her doors to his sister and nephew, giving them a safe place to land when they needed it most. She’d done the same for him, no questions asked, no expectations in return. That didn’t sound like someone cruel or selfish. It sounded like someone who truly cared for others in need. Her past was the past, but damn if the Alpha in him didn’t want to know exactly what that past was.

When she had fallen off that damn roof, his heart had nearly stopped. It made no damn sense. He barely knew her. And yet, the sight of her dangling there had triggered something primal in him, something that had his wolf snarling inside him to protect her.

And when he’d caught her… hell.

She had looked up at him with those green eyes, wide and stunned. Her body pressed against his like she didn’t quite know how to breathe. It had taken everything in him to set her down, to force his hands to let go. And when she had walked away, shoulders slumped like she was carrying the weight of the world, it had bothered him more than he wanted to admit.

Brock sighed, running a hand through his hair before picking up a drill. He didn’t need this. He didn’t need to be thinking about a woman like Deb. He had enough on his plate—his sister and nephew, for starters. He had walked away from pack life for a reason, and now, all of a sudden, he was fixing roofs and catching women who had no business being on ladders.

Damn it.

He was halfway through securing the last railing when the screen door creaked open.

“Uncle Brock!”

He turned just in time for Ben to barrel into his side, his small arms wrapping around Brock’s waist in a quick hug before pulling back with an excited grin. Brock ruffled his nephew’s hair. “Hey, kid. You causing trouble?”

Ben snickered, shaking his head. “Nope! Mom says I’m an angel.”

“Uh-huh,” Brock smirked. “And I once arm-wrestled a T-Rex.” Ben loved dinosaurs, with the T-Rex being his favorite.

Ben laughed, his brown eyes shining with mischief. “No, you didn’t.”

Brock chuckled, giving him a playful nudge.

Tammy stepped outside, her arms crossed over her chest as she leaned against the doorframe. Her long, dark hair was pulled into a messy ponytail, and though she tried to hide it, he could see the exhaustion in her face. His sister had been through hell, and even though she was safe, he knew she still felt like she was looking over her shoulder.

“How’s it coming along?” she asked, her voice soft.

Brock took a step back and gestured to the porch. “Should hold up a hell of a lot better now. No more worrying about you or Ben falling through the damn floor.”

Tammy smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Thanks, Brock.”

He just nodded. He didn’t need thanks. He just needed to make sure she was okay. That Ben was okay.

Ben climbed onto the newly reinforced railing, swinging his legs as he studied Brock. “Uncle Brock?”

“Yeah?”

The kid hesitated, kicking at the wood beneath him before finally meeting Brock’s gaze. “Are we staying here forever?”

Tammy stiffened beside him, her fingers tightening on her arms. Brock’s jaw clenched. He hated that Ben even had toaskthat. Hated that his sister had spent years trapped in a nightmare, and now she and her son didn’t even know if they had a real home.

“You’re safe here,” Brock said firmly. “That’s what matters.”

Ben nodded, like that answer was good enough for now, and jumped down, running off toward the side of the house.

Tammy exhaled a slow breath. “I hate that he has to wonder.”

“I know.” Brock’s voice was rough, but honest. “But you did the right thing, Tam. Getting him away from that bastard.”

Her eyes met his, pain flickering behind them. “I just hope it’s enough.”

Brock didn’t have an answer for that. All he could do was make sure no one ever laid a hand on her or Ben again. “He will not get near you or Ben again, Tammy.”

Reaching out, she touched her brother’s arm with a sad smile. “I know, it’s just...it’s hard not to be afraid.”

Pulling his sister into a firm, brotherly hug, Brock exhaled slowly, trying to keep the rage simmering in his gut from bleeding into his voice. “I’m sorry, Tam,” he murmured, his grip tightening for a second before he pulled back to look at her. “I should have?—”

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