Page 25 of Mates & Mercenaries

“It’s another one of our safe houses,” Sam corrects me. “But I would call it more of an office. This is where we get the majority of our work done.”

“I see.” I nod along like I totally understand, while also not really understanding why they need to have this building at all. This seems a bit like somewhere my father would conduct mob business.

That isn’t what these guys are into as well, is it? No, surely not. I can’t imagine it. They don’t seem the type at all.

I grab my bag and follow the guys inside, blinking furiously when the lights come on and reveal what’s inside. Rooms are spread out and divided by drywall. There’s an enormous area with Sam’s computers, a gym, a kitchen, and a living room. These guys really do live a different life than anyone I know. It’s cool and everything, but it’s strange.

“Take a seat,” Sam tells me, pointing towards the couch. “I’ll make us all drinks and snacks. It’s been a long drive, so I’m sure we all need something to eat.”

Creed takes a seat close to me, but it isn’t near enough. I slide closer to him because I need some kind of comfort from him. In this strange place, I need something familiar. I grab his arm and throw it over my shoulder. He brought me here to wait, so he can look out for me.

Clay sits across from us, looking uncomfortable. I would like him to hug me as well, but I don’t want things to get weird.

“Here you go, guys.” Sam sets out a tray of drinks and snacks in front of us on the coffee table. I don’t know if he senses the tension or not, but he continues talking as if everything is absolutely fine. “In a minute, I will get the computers fired up to see what I can find out about these New York goons. How much information do you have about them, Creed?”

“I have some names that we can work from.”

I don’t want Creed to move just yet. I nestle in closer to him, making sure his arm remains around me. I just fear the moment that I’m left alone with my thoughts and emotions.

“Edmund Hooper is the name of the guy at the helm of the New York wolves. The alpha or whatever.” Creed shrugs, but I can sense the tension flowing through his body. I get the impression he wishes he was the one in the meeting with this guy, not Rex. I guess it must be hard for him to leave someone else in control. As alpha, he must always be the one in charge, so this is different for him. But Rex will do a good job, I’m sure of it. He’s just as capable as Creed and he’s really strong. Creed needs to have some faith in him. “I don’t know much about him, but it might be handy to run a background check on him.”

Sam nods in agreement. “Sure thing. The more we know about him, the better. But do you really think this Edmund guy was behind the attack?”

I glance up at Creed and wait for his answer. “If he wasn’t behind it, then he knows who was.”

“But why?” I asked, frustrated at being caught in the middle of all of this. “Why do people in New York want me? Is my dad beefing with these guys It’s bad enough that I’m stuck having to fear the crime bosses in Chicago. Now there are more people I have to be worried about. It fucking sucks.”

I get up and pace, my arms folded across my chest angrily, protectively. Fuck all of this. All these shitty things are happening to me, and none of it has anything to do with me. I hate it. I need to take control of my life. I need the reins for once.

“Why would anyone do this?” I continue on with my rant, barely noticing the guilty-looking expressions on the guys’ faces. “I can’t believe anyone would want to get into this life. Seriously. Please, explain it to me.”

Slowly, Creed rises to his feet. “I guess you’re talking about me, huh? And why I might have wanted to go into a life of crime, dragging my pack along with me.” He takes a deep breath. “I guess I was seeing it from the outside looking in. It seems like a glamorous life with respect and money. It’s a way for a wolf alpha to make a name for himself. I wanted to stand among the big boys and be noticed. I thought it would work out well for me, for all of us. That’s why I took the job with your father.”

I am speechless, and feel a little sick as well. Here I was thinking that these guys would care for me and look after me no matter what. But it seems like I’ve been spending time with guys, falling for guys, who want and are actively seeking to be part of a lifestyle that I hate, that has put me in danger.

“I need to be alone. Give me a moment.”

No one follows me through this maze of a building, thank God. I don’t know where I’m going, but I just need some time to be by myself, to wrap my head around this. Why the hell would Creed want any part of that kind of life? It’s horrible and violent, there are so many uncertainties every single day. The people surrounding them would also be in danger every single day. Like me, with my father.

One day, I want to be a mother. I want to have kids who don’t have to live the life I have lived. I don’t want them to be stuck indoors, suffering.

“Skylar, wait, you didn’t let me finish.” Creed is a few feet behind me. I didn’t even hear him walk up, I was so caught up in my thoughts. “I want to tell you that I don’t want that anymore. Any of it. Ever since meeting you, I have realized that there is so much more to life. I don’t want danger or respect from guys I don’t know. I want love.”

He catches up to me and cups my cheeks in his hands. I look up into his eyes, trying to find out how honest he’s being.

“I thought you wanted that too,” Creed continues. “But it seems like things have changed. Has something happened while I’ve been away?”

Oh God, this is my time to be honest with him, really honest about everything. He deserves it. “Yes,” I admit cautiously. “A lot happened while you were away. I’d like to show you, but all four of you need to be here. I need to explain it to you all.”

13

REX

Idon’t know how I’m going to muddle through this alone, but I have to. Ever since it was made clear that Creed wasn’t welcome in the meeting because I’m the one who won the card game, I’ve had to adjust to the idea that I will have to be the one to make this work.

Creed has faith in me. I think. At least he made me feel like he had faith in me before he left to get everyone out of the safe house. He reassured me that since I was so quick-thinking, I would be fine. But I know it must be killing to let go of that little bit of control, and that has me in a bit of a tailspin.

I’m dressed up in my finest suit to show respect for the New York alpha. I hope that will go some way to chilling the guy out for me. Kyle and Dean, plus the other two, didn’t exactly give me a good impression of how these idiots will treat me.

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