Page 17 of Mates & Mercenaries

“I think she wants to thank you for everything. She worried that we’re going to get hurt while we tackle this New York pack.”

“Pfft, we are going to be just fine. She doesn’t need to worry about us.”

“Go and tell Skylar that,” I laugh. “I tried to tell her as much, but I don’t know if she believes me.”

I watch Rex race up the stairs, two at a time, before I head out to the car. Excitement burns inside me. I love the space we have to run on the prairie, but I don’t like the fear that something is creeping up on us all the time and the stress of wondering how we’re going to combat it.

“Ready to go?” Rex says as he slips into the car. “Let’s get out of here.”

He seems different. Oh God, am I being paranoid now? I thought I wasn’t jealous of Rex’s obvious attraction to Skylar, but now I’m a little unsure. I start up the car and get to driving, but there’s still a strange sensation swirling around in the pit of my stomach.

“All good?” I ask, trying not to allow the strain to show in my voice.

“Hmm? Yeah, all good. Just thinking about what we’re going to do when we get there.”

“Oh, right.” I nod slowly. Maybe that’s is the change I sensed in him. I basically threw this assignment at him without giving him much choice in the matter. As soon as I got the news that these guys might be linked to what happened back at the Santorini mansion, I dragged Rex along. “We’ll figure it out. We’ve been involved in worse chaos before.”

We did get ourselves in some shitty situations while we were at war, but we always got out of it together. For some reason, though, this mission feels worse.

“Yeah, you’re right.” He leans his head back on the seat and closes his eyes. “I know we’ll be okay, it’s just these guys…these guys are pretty insane, don’t you think? Evan Santorini, Mason what’s-his-name, and the other one. All the guys that we had to deal with at the party. I don’t like any of them.”

I really don’t feel like diving into this while my decision is still up in the air. I’m torn between wanting to continue with the plan I have been working towards for what feels like forever, and the feelings I have for Skylar.

“Yeah, I know what you mean,” I reply quietly. “They aren’t the greatest.”

Rex turns to look at me with surprise in his eyes. “Does that mean you’re rethinking everything? Because that party was messed up. That whole night was a mess. I wouldn’t be all that shocked if you felt differently now.”

“I don’t know,” I say with a shrug, trying to play it down. “I don’t know what I’m thinking. It’s all very confusing.”

“That isn’t the only life we can lead. You can make a name for yourself in a different way if you choose to. There is absolutely nothing holding you back from forging a much more suitable path. It won’t mean you won’t have respect or a name for yourself. It won’t mean anything.”

“Yeah, I guess I have a lot to think about,” I say. I know Rex is wholeheartedly against joining the criminal underworld, so it’s hard to talk to him about how I really feel about it all. “I don’t know where we’re going to go after this. I guess I’m just trying to focus on the here and now.”

Rex nods. “I’m sure we will have a variety of opinions once all of this is done. Let’s get through this. One step at a time.”

Is this another hint? That I made crime the only choice without asking the others what they want to do? I just kind of assumed that they would want to do whatever I want because I’m the alpha. That’s actually a pretty shitty way to think.

I shift uncomfortably on my seat, not liking being in my own skin at the moment. I definitely haven’t done everything right, I haven’t made all the right moves for my pack, and now, I feel like I don’t know anything. Usually, my determination gets me through anything and everything. I don’t like being all wishy washy and confused.

“You know we’re here for you, right?” Rex asks, shaking me from my thoughts. “No matter what. It seems like you have been holding back a lot and keeping stuff inside. We don’t want that.”

I’m not so convinced that he’s talking about the crime stuff now. He’s the only one I have mentioned Skylar to in a romantic way. But he might have sensed the chemistry between us. I’m shocked that no one else has said anything yet. The tension is palpable when we’re in a room together.

“Uh, yeah…” I don’t want to say anything about Skylar since we have agreed to keep it a secret. “I know you guys are all there for me. I think it’s just been a bit of a life changing time, that’s all. I feel like I’m in a transitional phase of my life and I don’t know which way to turn. I don’t know what direction to take.”

“I see.” Rex pats me on the shoulder. “Well, whatever you choose, we will be by your side.”

That does make me feel a little better. Knowing that I won’t be alone does make it easier for me, but I still think it’s going to be challenging to deal with for everyone, no matter what I end up doing. I have a lot of obstacles to overcome to get to wherever I want to be.

9

REX

“Skylar,” I murmur as I pull her lips back to mine. “I never want to stop kissing you.”

She shocked me with the first kiss. I thought she had something going on with Creed. Sam and Clay are pretty sure they have seen them kissing. But whatever they share isn’t really athing.

I haven’t known Creed to ever really be with anyone before. He’s had short-term flings, but he hasn’t ever really liked anyone before. Maybe that’s how it is with Skylar, but I can’t stop myself. I can’t take my hands off her body, my lips off of hers. I can’t help the way my body reacts to her. All I want to do is take her, up against the wall, or maybe on this bed, or in the God damn shower. I just need to have her. She’s like an addiction that I absolutely need to feed.

---