Page 40 of No Harm No Howl

“I'm going to have to trust you on this because I have no idea who this man is or how he operates, but it sounds like you know exactly who you're dealing with.” Gia tried to relax and trust Russ, but it went against her very nature. She wasn’t the type of girl … err, wolf … who could sit back and let others put themselves in harm’s way for her. She didn’t like it, and neither did her wolf.

“Please. I know this has to be hard for you and goes against your wolf’s instincts, but yeah, sadly, I know exactly who I’m dealing with. Damon is dangerous, and he will come for you just to hurt me. I can’t let that happen. I won’t let that happen,” Russ said.

Gia heard the truth in his words. He would protect her with his life, and that's exactly what mates were supposed to do. She would do the same for him.

Within minutes, they were off the plane and speeding toward his home, wherever that was. Constantly looking around, she kept checking to see if anyone was following them.

“Easy, you can relax. And there are four cars following us, in case you were wondering. They are all employees of WSI. They are some of the best women and men I have on my payroll. I trust them, every single one of them, with my life,” Russ said.

“Again, it's something else I will have to take your word for. I'm not sure I like this. I'm used to being on my own. Watching out for myself. Most of all, I'm used to trusting my gut, and right now, everything feels wrong about this situation.” Gia knew Russ was trying to do what he thought was right, but she just couldn't shake this feeling that everything was not okay. They were missing something. She just didn't know what.

“Maybe once we get to my place, you’ll feel better about the situation. I think part of it might be that you feel so exposed right now because we’re out in the open. But soon, you and your wolf will be able to feel safe again.”

“I hope you’re right,” she said and left it at that … not wanting to start an argument. All she really wanted was to shake him and ask himwhat the fuck?How could he feel safe in this situation? It was insane. Who lived like this? But she kept her ass on her seat and sucked in a lotta deep breaths to try to calm her racing heart and mind.

Russ wrapped his hand around hers. The heat from his skin scorched through her. Despite everything happening at the moment, that single touch sent her heart fluttering and intense heat straight to her core. His scent filled the vehicle, enveloping her in that sexy, safe cocoon that she’d quickly become accustomed to.

She cracked the window and sucked in as much fresh air as she could, trying to clear her mind and drag it out of the gutter. Sex with Russ was the last thing she should be thinking about right now. Especially when both of their lives were on the line thanks to some psycho former employee of his who had one hell of a grudge against his boss.

Gia kept wondering how she ended up in the situation to begin with. There was so much to consider, sex with Russ shouldn’t even register anywhere in her brain, but her hormones were on overdrive anytime she was close to him. And when he touched her, no matter how innocent the act, whew. It was game fucking over for her. It took all of her willpower not to beg him to take her right there in the vehicle … in front of everyone. What the hell was wrong with her?

“Just another minute or so, and we’ll be coming to the turn-off for my house,” Russ said, breaking into her thoughts.

“Great,” she replied on autopilot. “What happened to all of our stuff at the hotel? Will we get it back? I know it’s a weird question, considering everything that’s going on … but …”

“Not at all. It’s in one of the cars behind us. I made sure I grabbed everything. Colton helped.”

“Oh. I figured I’d have to buy a whole new wardrobe,” she laughed.

“Hey, what can I say? I’m that good. I even double-checked to make sure I had everything of yours.”

“Thank you,” Gia said, squeezing his hand. She glanced down at her fingers, surprised once again by the huge-ass stone that sat perfectly on her left ring finger, twinkling up at her. It truly was a beautiful ring. But damn … she didn’t remember a single thing about saying I do, walking down that aisle, or even when they had mated. Someone had robbed her of those thoughts and the happy milestones that should be moments that she would remember forever. Yet, she didn’t have a single clue as to what had happened between her and Russ.

“I want my memories back. I want to remember what happened between us and how you managed to talk me into marrying you,” she said, looking up into those mesmerizing blue eyes of his.

“Shit! That reminds me,” Russ pulled his phone from his pocket.

“What?” she asked, wondering what he was talking about.

“Gerri messaged me earlier and thought she had an idea as to what happened to your memories. I meant to call her back. I’ll do it as soon as we get to the house.”

Their vehicle slowed at a break in the enormous evergreens alongside the road. Gia would have missed it. The driveway was narrow and yet wide enough for two cars to squeeze by if need be. On one side, a row of large trees lined the road, and the other side boasted an open field with scatterings of wildflowers. It was absolutely stunning. Her wolf pushed at her and whined, wanting to run free through the pretty flowers.

Maybe later,she replied.Right now, we need to wait to see what this threat is. But once that’s dealt with, we can get out there and run. It would be nice, wouldn’t it?

Better than the park,her wolf said, slouching back to her hidden spot in Gia’s mind, accepting their fate … for now.

When Russ said they were going to his house, she wasn’t quite sure what to expect. However, the mansion laid out before her was not what she had in mind. The sprawling, grandiose manor was three full stories of brick surrounded by massive trees covering large picture windows. Ornate flower gardens decorated the yard and edges of the house. It was more beautiful than anything she had ever seen … even on those DYI house flipper shows she loved. His house made her house look like a hovel.

“Wow!” She couldn’t keep the astonishment from her voice.

“Yeah. I know. It’s a bit big,” he said, trying to make it sound like the stunning monstrosity that was his house was no big deal.

Ha. As if.

Four armed men met them as soon as they stepped out of the vehicle. Three other men quickly grabbed their bags from another car as soon as it stopped and hauled them inside posthaste.

Russ spoke with the men for a minute, then ushered her into the house. It was even more beautiful on the inside. She’d never seen a house in such pristine condition. Seriously, it could easily double as a museum or a movie set. It would work nicely as a backdrop for either.

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