Page 79 of The Secret of Pain

“Guess I’m more than just an asshole, huh?”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

“I’d have thought you’d miss the great outdoors,” Roman snarks as we walk back up to my apartment. “I wanted to show you the place where our pack will gather once they arrive.”

“Roman, you took me on a two-hour drive and a four-hour hike, just to show me a spot. If the pack had been there, I could understand it, but why?” I practically growl as I yank the door open from the stairwell to the hall.

“Maybe I missed you. Maybe I wanted to spend some time with you,” he says, and I glare at him.

“Or maybe, you wanted to see if I could still keep up with you, even when you’re in shifted form,” I snark back, halting only to open my door, which swings wide with the force of my push. “Maybe you wanted to see if you could piss me off with all your little digs and taunts.”

“If I did, it obviously would have worked,” he says, grinning at me as he grabs a bottle of water from the refrigerator.

“Oh, of course, just make yourself at home,” I huff, because his presence is too much for this space and I feel like I’m on edge in the place that is usually my retreat. “But really, what was today about?”

I drop onto the chair by the window and watch him as he prowls around the place, taking in each detail.

“It wasn’t about anything, other than your time,” he says softly, so softly I almost miss it, and I realize that beneath the domineering, alpha mask is the man that very few must get to see. The man who loved me enough to risk his pack and accepted our bond as mates.

“Roman, I…” my words are interrupted by the sound of a key in the lock of my door. Before I can move it swings open and Creek stands in the doorway, Roman between us, growling.

“What the fuck?!” Creek shouts, pulling the gun from his shoulder holster and pointing it at Roman as he steps forward and closes the door.

“Creek, I can explain.” I move forward, but Roman snarls, keeping me behind him. “Roman, he’s not going to hurt me.”

I gulp, hoping my words are true.

“It wouldn’t be the first time.” The words rip from Roman, more animal than human.

“That was your fault, you fucking animal,” Creek hisses, and I ease my way between them.

“Remy, you need to start talking. What the fuck is Roman Knight doing in your apartment?”

“You already know,” I say quietly but firmly, meeting his gaze. “I know you do, because I remember.”

He looks gutted, like I just drove a blade into him, and lowers the gun. “I thought that we…”

“We need to talk,” I say to him, moving closer before turning to face Roman, making sure I’m fully between them. “Roman, can you give us some time? I can call you later or something.”

He growls again, and Creek’s hand comes to my waist but I plant my feet so he can’t move me.

“If he hurts you, Remy, I will kill him.”

“I’m not the one who would hurt her; that was your fault and you know it!” Creek snaps from behind me.

“Enough. Please.” I push Creek backward into the kitchen, freeing up the pathway to the door for Roman, whose eyes glow so bright, I fear he might shift. “Wait here,” I say to Creek and move slowly toward Roman.

“I will be okay,” I say, putting my hands on his chest before placing a soft kiss on his cheek. “Please.”

He stands tall before reaching down and kissing me, as if claiming me as his own before ripping away and leaving without another word. The door slams as I turn back to Creek who looks at me, a mix of broken with an edge of betrayal.

“You need to explain, Remy.”

“I know.” I sigh. “Maybe you should sit.”

He shakes his head and crosses his arms, leaning against the counter.

“You want a drink? Cause I sure as fuck need one.” I move around him and pour myself three fingers of whiskey and throw it back before pouring another. I grab a glass for him, and he takes it.

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