Page 13 of Brody
“Bullshit,” I countered, leaning forward.“I’ve treated enough shifters to recognize the signs.Something’s wrong with you.”
His jaw tightened, a muscle jumping beneath the skin.“The tonic helps,” he said, deliberately vague.“It buys time.”
“Time for what?”I pressed.
“For your research to succeed,” he replied, his eyes meeting mine in the rearview mirror with an intensity that made my skin prickle.“For all of us.”
A memory flashed unbidden, Brody, vital and powerful, saving me from spotted hyenas, his eyes clear and fully human.The contrast with the man before me, fighting some invisible battle, sent an unexpected spike of something so sharp through my chest I had to press my hand against my sternum.
He caught the movement, his eyes reflecting terrible understanding.Whatever secret he was keeping, he knew I was piecing it together.And beneath his stoic expression, I glimpsed something that haunted me—resignation.
I curled my hands into fists to stop their trembling.No.This wasn’t my problem.I wouldn’t make it my problem.
But my treacherous body had other ideas.My skin flushing hot, then cold as suspicion settled into my bones.My eyes narrowed.“Is that why you were waxing poetic about wanting a second chance with me?You’re hoping I’ll help with whatever’s wrong with you?Are you trying to use me?”
“No!”He banged on the steering wheel.“I would never use you like that.”
I didn’t catch the scent of burned rubber this time.
“No snappy comeback?”he asked.
“Look, I get it.When we first met, you had gone through some emotional and mental challenges due to your parents.But I’m going to keep it 100 percent real with you—I have no interest in allowing you to claim me.I don’t want a mate.That ship sailed since we parted.And now I’m rejecting you.”
A beat of silence passed before he said, “I won’t push anymore.I just want a good working relationship with you.”
“Agreed,” I said, trying to ignore the flash of something that looked like pain in his eyes reflected in the rearview mirror.
The silence stretched between us as he navigated through the dense rain forest.After a few minutes, I realized there was something important we hadn’t discussed.
“Quinn mentioned lab facilities for my research.Where exactly will I be working?”I asked.
Brody’s hands gripped subtly on the steering wheel.“About that,” he began, clearing his throat.“Your lab equipment arrived three days ago.”
“And?”
“Quinn and I set it up in the east wing of my Brewstillery.”
The words hit me like a physical blow.“Your Brewstillery?My lab is in your building?”
“It made the most sense,” he said, eyes fixed carefully on the road ahead.“The equipment needs specific environmental controls, and my facility already has the infrastructure for botanical research.”
“And you were planning to tell me this… when?”I demanded, anger rising fast.
“I was waiting for a moment when you weren’t actively contemplating homicide,” he replied, a hint of dry humor in his tone.
“So not only will I see you around town, I’ll be working in your building?Every day?”The implications crashed through me.Daily proximity.His scent would be everywhere.No escape.
“To be fair, we set this up before I knew Dr.Dhahabu was you.Quinn assigned me airport pickup for the same reason.We’re both working on pre-feral treatment.”
My inner cheetah stirred with interest.Shared territory.Close proximity to our mate.
Shut up,I snapped internally.He’s not our mate anymore.I rejected him, remember?
Rejection words.Your body says differently,my cheetah observed.
“This is completely unprofessional,” I said, fighting to keep my voice steady.
“The OIA approved the arrangement,” Brody replied.“My Brewstillery has the only facility in the Ridge equipped for both botanical and neurological research.”
