It was Tate who answered. “Anything is possible, but I doubt it. Too many things point to his twin being back on the scene. Bree didn’t see Paxton in the woods, true, but whoever helped her called her ‘little cat.’ That was Paxton’s endearment for her.”
“Which Calvin knows well,” Elle cut in. “What better way for the guy to make everyone believe his story that his brother is back than by posing as his brother?”
“I had that same thought,” said Mila. “But I agree with Tate—too much has happened that suggests Paxton’s back.”
Done with his soup, Alex laid a hand on Bree’s thigh. “You’re not going to like what I have to say but let me finish. I think it would be a good idea for you to stay with me in my apartment for a while.”
Yeah, she’d been expecting him to say that.
“You’re too exposed here,” he added. “My complex is a lot harder to break into. And if anyone managed to get inside, there’s no way they wouldn’t be noticed. Plus, Vinnie just lost two enforcers. If he assigns two others to your house, that means he has less enforcers doing their everyday duties, which will affect the entire pride. But if you really want to stay here, I’ll move in with you and—”
“No,” Bree cut in. “I’ll stay at your place until this is over.” She didn’t like that she was effectively letting the hyenas chase her out of her home, but if Alex was hurt again because of her pride … no, she wouldn’t be able to take it.
His face softened. “Good.”
She could see he believed that she was cooperating in a bid to better protect herself. He was wrong. She was agreeing because it seemed the best way to protect him.
As much as she liked to tell herself that her “savior” in the woods could have been Calvin, she knew better than to cling to straws any longer. It had to have been Paxton. He’d warned her to stay away from Alex. If the wolverine moved into her home even temporarily, Paxton—the twisted bastard—might try to kill him. He wouldn’t be much happier about her moving in with Alex, no, but at least they’d be harder for Paxton to reach.
She wasn’t too proud to admit that she wouldn’t be able to properly relax here or get a good night’s sleep until all this was over anyway. If she stayed, it would only be to spite the fuckers. What was the sense in that?
It was about half an hour later that Vinnie stood and said, “Well, I’d better go. I need to go talk with the families of the deceased. That neither males were mated now seems both sad and a blessing. I’ll check in with you tomorrow.”
Bree walked everyone to the door as, one by one, they filed out of the house, ordering both her and Alex to rest and to call them if they needed anything. Once they were gone, she returned to the living area.
Alex rose from the chair and crossed to her. “How’re you doing?”
“Still unbelievably pissed,” she replied.
“You’re not alone on that one.” His perceptive gaze flitted over her face. “Get rid of the guilt, baby girl. You are not the reason those enforcers are dead.”
“Intellectually, I know that—”
“Then let it go.” He cupped her jaw. “You’re not responsible for what happened. You hear me?”
She gave a slow nod. “Are you sure you’re good with me staying at your place?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“You don’t like having people in your apartment, and I’m an omega. People turn up to talk with me at random times, no matter where I am. I could stay with Elle instead.”
“You’re staying with me—end of conversation.” He dropped a hard kiss on her mouth and then released her jaw. “Need any help packing your stuff?”
“No, I can do it.”
“You sure? Because—” His gaze snapped to the window as the crowd’s noise level rose. “Luke and the others are back from searching the woods.”
“Go ask him if they found any sign of … of Paxton.” She needed to know. And yet she didn’t want to know.
Alex hesitated. “You’ll be all right here?”
“The house is surrounded by enforcers, and a large number of our pride are gathered in the cul-de-sac—I’ll be fine.”
He studied her face a moment longer and then nodded. “I won’t be long.” He gave her another quick kiss and then left.
Now that the house was finally empty, Bree let out a long sigh and rubbed at her temples. God, she needed a drink. Pink gin. Or tequila. Or vodka. Maybe all three. She’d wait until she was at Alex’s apartment. Then they could pull out the bottles and get a little buzz going. First, she needed to pack.
But instead of heading upstairs, she found herself sinking back into the chair. Fuck, two people had died trying to keep her safe. Neither had deserved that. Benny, God, he’d just started to sort his shit out; he’d even won over Renee after weeks of courting her and pleading for a second chance.
If Bree had to guess, she’d say Renee would hate herself for not giving him that chance sooner. People took it for granted that they had time to chew over their decisions. It didn’t always work like that.
Well, the hyenas had made a grave mistake in hiring those polar bears. The pride had been gunning for the clan before. But now that two of their own were dead, the pride would go after the hyenas with a fury-driven, single-minded focus.
Bree wasn’t sure how long she spent just sitting there, staring into space, seeking a calm she couldn’t find. But then the doorbell rang, pulling her from her zone.
Frowning, she walked into the hallway and glanced through the peephole. Motherfucker. Her cat peeled back her upper lip and bared her teeth.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“Bree, please open the door,” begged Mateo. “Look, I know you don’t want me here, but I heard what happened and … I just need to be sure you’re okay.”
Too furious to ignore him, she yanked open the door. “Are you kidding me?”
He raised his hands. “I don’t want to argue. I was worried—”
“Do I look like I care?”
He glanced over his shoulder. “Can we talk inside? The crowd is creeping closer.”
Seeing that he was right, she ground her teeth. There was no sign of Alex, but she didn’t doubt he’d be back soon. As for Mateo … she was not letting him in her house. No. She’d slam the door in his face. She’d tell him to go to hell. But she found herself fisting his shirt and hauling him inside. Yeah, she was itching for a fight—go sue her.
Kicking the door shut, she advanced on him. “You’ve got some goddamn nerve coming here.”
He backed into the living room, licking his lips nervously when she matched him step for step. “I didn’t come to upset you—”
“Then you shouldn’t have come at all. But you thought that this would be the perfect time to try your luck, because you knew I’d be happy to have a target for all my anger.”
“I guess I did count on that. Which makes me a piece of shit, I know, but I just wanted to check for myself that you’re okay. It cut me to know you’d be blaming yourself for the deaths of Benny and Crawford. I just want to be here for you. Look, I know I messed up but, seriously, are you going to punish me forever?”