Page 21 of His Place in the World
“I’ll be fine,” Angus said.
He didn’t promise it because he wasn’t sure he could keep that promise, but he hoped he’d come home in one piece.
Del nodded.“I know.My father will protect you.”
When he’d seen Matt train with Mercer, Angus had been impressed with his capability.They’d only had a few days, and Angus had been forced to refresh his self-defense moves.He wasn’t any better at it than he’d been before, but it might give him the upper hand if he needed one.
Matt had been great, though.He’d taken Angus to the side one day and had promised him that he’d keep him safe.He was doing this for his son’s sake, and keeping Angus safe would mean that Del was happy.That was all Matt wanted and the only reason he’d volunteered for this.
“He will, and I’m not unable to take care of myself.”
“I’m not worried about you not taking care of yourself.Your body isn’t the only way someone can hurt you, Angus.I’m terrified of what seeing those shifters at the auction will do to you.”
Angus couldn’t say he wasn’t worried, but he still had to do this.“I’ll be fine,” he repeated.
“I hope so.”
Del dragged him into his arms, and for a moment, nothing existed beyond the two of them.Angus was able to forget about the auction, the party, and the clothes he was wearing.He breathed in his mate’s scent, knowing that soon, he’d be back in Del’s arms.
He had to be.
They didn’t say anything else when they separated.They’d already talked, and it wouldn’t be useful for them to waste more time.Instead, they finally headed outside, where everyone else was waiting for them.
Del would be going with Remi.They’d be staying outside the place where the party was held, ready to intervene if something happened.They wouldn’t be the only ones present, either.A few pack members had volunteered, including Doyle’s mate Marcus and Carey.Carey was a phoenix shifter, and he’d seemed way too excited about the prospect of kicking ass.
But Angus, Ryland, and the others would be protected, whatever happened.
“Ready to go?”Ryland asked as he moved closer to Angus.
Angus nodded.He was nervous, but he knew what he had to do.
Everything he’d need was hidden under his clothing.If there was one good thing to be said about loose clothes, it was that it was fairly easy to hide things under them.Ryland had offered to carry everything for Angus, but Angus felt better having it on himself.
Ryland guided Angus toward the limousine they’d use for the night.Mercer and Matt followed, sitting in the front, with Mercer at the wheel.The door closed behind Angus, the noise sounding final and heavy.
“You’ll be fine,” Ryland said.“Even if Mercer and Matt are busy, I can protect you.I did create a private security company, after all.”
“My safety isn’t what I’m worried about.”It was only part of it.
Ryland’s smile faded.“It’s not the only thing I’m worried about, either.”
They were silent after that.Luckily, it seemed like most of the people involved in the auctions were local, so it didn’t take them long to reach the place where the party was held, just over half an hour.Ryland didn’t do or say anything during that time, but Angus kept bouncing his knee and looking out the window.
Once they reached the building, which looked like nothing interesting from the outside, Mercer and Matt sprang into action.They led Ryland and Angus out, then toward the building.Ryland offered Angus his arm, and Angus took it, grateful for the reassuring contact.He wouldn’t have to say or do anything specific right now.He needed to act as if he was Ryland’s property, and property didn’t speak.
“My invitation?”Ryland asked when they reached the door.
He didn’t sound like himself anymore, which was kind of scary and made Angus shiver.Ryland noticed and wrapped an arm around Angus’s shoulders, lightly kissing his temple.“Relax,” he whispered.
Angus dared look up.Two massive men framed the door, and one of them was talking with Mercer.He was checking the invitation Angus had created, and Angus held his breath as he waited to see if it would work.
It did.
The man checking the invitation nodded at the other, who opened the door and gestured them in.Mercer went first, then Ryland and Angus, and finally, Matt.
The inside of the building couldn’t have been any more different from the outside.
Outside, it had been plain and gray, nothing more than a big box.Inside, it dripped with gold and luxury.Everywhere Angus looked, he saw marble floors, expensive wooden furniture, and people dressed as if they were millionaires.
