Chapter 29
29
J ake
As I emerge from the back of the bar after finishing the inventory, I catch a familiar scent in the air. It’s Alex. She was here? Why hadn’t Lila told me?
I catch the other bartender’s eyes. She’s wiping down the counter. She winks at me. “Go ahead, Lover Boy. She just left.”
Without wasting a moment, I hurry outside, following her scent. It leads me down the street, and soon enough, I see her walking away, her shoulders slumped slightly with what looks like frustration.
“Alex!” I call out, jogging to catch up with her. “Alex, wait!”
She turns, her expression a mix of surprise and irritation. “Jake, what are you doing here?”
“I just finished up at the bar,” I say, trying to catch my breath. “I…” I hesitate. I don’t want to say that I smelled her there. “I was working in the back and didn’t realize you were there until someone mentioned you. I wanted to talk to you.”
She narrows her eyes slightly. “Why? So you can tell me to back off again?”
“No, not exactly,” I reply, running a hand through my hair. My wolf is yapping at me, saying if I claimed her, she wouldn’t be so upset with me right now, and I mentally shove him away. “I just… I know you’re frustrated, and I want to help.”
“Help?” she echoes, her tone skeptical. “It didn’t seem like anyone in there wanted to help me.”
I do my best not to make a face. Hearing this doesn’t surprise me at all. She’s a human who keeps returning to a werewolf bar without knowing that we’re werewolves. Worse, we’re werewolves involved in a turf war that she’s poking around.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” I murmur.
“You aren’t surprised,” she notes.
Damn, she’s observant. Not a surprise.
“People are scared, Alex.”
It’s not the trust. People are pissed and more than ready to go to war, but since Elias and those werewolves have used poison, we’re forced to be wary, which isn’t sitting well with us.
“They don’t know who to trust,” I add.
She crosses her arms, looking at me intently. “And should I trust you, Jake? Because right now, it feels like you’re hiding something from me.”
I grit my teeth. She has every right to feel this way, but it kills me inside that she distrusts me. All I want is to feel her in my arms again. We made love once, and we had one date, but since… My secret is keeping us apart, and it might ruin us before we have a chance to truly be together.
“Alex, there are things going on that are complicated and dangerous. I’m trying to protect you, but… shutting you out isn’t the answer.”
“Then what is the answer?” she asks, her voice softening slightly. “Because I’m trying to find the truth, and it feels like you’re standing in my way.”
“I don’t want to stand in your way,” I say earnestly. “I want to help you find the truth, but I also need you to understand that this situation is bigger than you know. It involves people who will do anything to protect their secrets.”
She sighs and purses her lips. “Jake, if you know something, you need to tell me. I can handle it.”
I look around, ensuring we’re alone on the street before I speak again. “All right, but not here. Let’s go somewhere we can talk privately.”
She nods reluctantly, and we walk together to a small park nearby. Finding a secluded bench, we sit down, and I turn to face her.
“Alex, there’s a lot you don’t know about this world,” I begin carefully. “The people behind these attacks, they’re not just criminals. They’re part of something bigger, something that operates in the shadows.”
She listens intently, her eyes searching mine. “Go on.”
I hate that there’s a note of suspicion in her voice, but I can’t blame her. She has to be wondering how I know this.
I take a deep breath, stalling, trying to figure out how much to reveal. “There are rival groups vying for control of the southside. They’re powerful and ruthless. They don’t just play by the rules you’re used to.”
“Rival groups?” she asks, her brow furrowing. “Like gangs?”
I nod slowly. “In a way, yes, but more organized, more dangerous. They’re not afraid to use violence to get what they want.”
She looks down, processing my words. “So what do we do? Does the police know about this? How do we stop them?”
“The police? No, I don’t think so. As for us… we need to gather more information, but carefully,” I say. “And we need to protect the people who are at risk, like Opal and Amelia. This isn’t just about uncovering the truth. It’s about keeping people safe. That’s most important.”
She nods slowly, her determination returning. “I understand, but I still need to report on this, Jake. People need to know what’s happening. They went after Opal for whatever reason. They went after Amelia. Who knows who they might target next?”
“I know,” I reply, “and I’ll help you, but we have to be smart about it. We can’t rush in without knowing what we’re up against.”
“All right,” she says, her voice steady. “We’ll do this together.”
I swallow hard and can’t resist myself. I take her hand in mine and lay my other hand on top. “I won’t allow them to come after you,” I say earnestly.
“I’ve been targeted before because of investigations,” she says. “I have a gun. I’ve tried to convince Opal to have one, but she didn’t feel comfortable with one.”
“You know how to use it?”
She narrows her eyes. “Of course I do!”
“Good. Then don’t hesitate to use it if you need to.”
Alex squeezes my hand. “I don’t know if I should trust you… but I do for some reason.”
“Is your gut normally a good judge of character?”
Alex smirks. “Usually.”
I cup her chin and slowly press my lips to hers. My arms automatically wrap around her, and I tuck her onto my lap. I would take her right here and now if she would let me. I wouldn’t care who would see, but I doubt she would go for that.
Reluctantly, I break off the kiss. Hand in hand, we stand and start to walk back toward the city. It’s not the full truth, but it’s a start.
The tension from our conversation starts to dissipate. I’m relieved that Alex seems to understand the gravity of the situation, and I’m determined to help her navigate these dangerous waters.
Suddenly, out of the shadows, a figure lunges at us. I barely have time to react before we’re face to face with a man whose eyes are filled with malice.
“Stay out of this,” he growls, glaring at both of us. His accent is thick, Eastern European, just like Opal described. “This is none of your business.”
Before I can move, Alex reaches into her purse and pulls out a small handgun. “Back off,” she demands, her voice steady despite the fear in her eyes.
The man moves quickly, faster than I anticipated. He swats the gun out of Alex’s hand with a swift motion, sending it skidding across the pavement. He then turns his attention back to us, his expression menacing.
“Leave now, and maybe you’ll live to see another day,” he threatens, stepping closer.
Instinctively, I position myself between Alex and the attacker, my senses heightening. I know I have to protect her, but I can’t reveal my true nature here. I need to rely on my strength and training to handle this.
“Alex, run,” I whisper urgently, never taking my eyes off the man.
But she stands her ground, her face set with determination. “No, Jake. We’re in this together.”
The man lunges at us again, and this time I’m ready. I dodge his first swing and deliver a quick punch to his midsection, making him stagger back. He’s strong, but so am I.
“Stay out of our way!” he snarls, regaining his balance and coming at me again.
I manage to block his attacks, but I can tell he’s not going to back down easily. I need to end this quickly, for both our sakes. With a surge of adrenaline, I grab his arm and twist it behind his back, using his momentum against him. He cries out in pain, and I push him away, creating some distance between us.
“Go back to whoever sent you and tell them we’re not backing down,” I say, my voice low and dangerous.
But he throws me down, and his eyes flash amber.
If he turns into a werewolf in front of Alex…