Page 45 of Midnight Mate
Some small part of me hated how helpless I felt falling apart like this, but comfort won out. I wound my arms around East’s shoulders and hugged him back as hard as I could.
It made no sense, considering how little we knew each other anymore, but standing in the circle of his arms, I’d never felt safer than I did now.
13
Easton
Cat was safe. Cat was safe. Cat was safe.
I repeated the words until I was sure my wolf wasn’t going to burst out of my skin and take off to murder Travis. Not yet, I promised the beast inside me. But he had it coming eventually.
Hell, the list of people I was going to kill kept getting longer.
Cat pressed herself against me, her heart slowing as I held her. She winced when my hands brushed the backs of her shoulders, and I knew he’d left a mark.
That was just fine. I’d find him when the time was right and leave a mark of my own.
“I’m so sorry. I think I just left mascara all over your shirt.”
“You’re insulting my manliness if you think a little mascara offends me.”
“Well, I wasn’t going to mention that I just wiped my nose all over your shirt too.”
I laughed.
She still had her sense of humor. That was a good sign.
“Come on. Let’s get you home.”
“Okay, but I need a tissue and a shower before you’re allowed to see me in the light.”
“Whatever you say, baby.”
I kept an arm around her as I led the way to her apartment. This time, she didn’t stop me from walking up with her.
At the door, she paused and frowned. “Shit.”
“What?”
“Rudy locked me out.”
“He what?”
“His way of forcing me to go out with you tonight.”
I smirked but then quickly smoothed out my expression at her glare.
“Did you have a hand in the coercion?” she asked.
“I—”
The door suddenly opened to reveal Rudy looking reproachful. “What are you two doing back? Oh, shit. Cat.” He broke off and grabbed her, hauling her against him and stroking her hair like a worried parent.
I didn’t mind it. As long as he gave her back.
Over her shoulder, Rudy met my eyes, and whatever he saw there must have conveyed the severity of things.
“Come in. Both of you.” He led her away and left me to lock up behind us.
