Chapter Twenty-One
Hunter
“You need to get some sleep,” Bane rumbles, squeezing my shoulder.
“I will.” I tilt my head toward him. “I’ll be done soon.” He releases me and walks around the desk.
“She’s safe,” he says softly as he stops at the door.
“I know. I’ll make sure of it.” He nods and leaves.
I look at the computer screen, frowning at the image.
I looked up Brian. I’m not impressed. My need to protect our mate caused the search, not jealousy.
It's my job to eliminate anyone in her past who could hurt her. Her ex is on the list. He’s been working for her father for a year and is quickly moving up.
He doesn’t speak to his parents, and Haven’s father has become a father figure.
His dating history is that of a man enjoying sleeping around with as many women as possible.
All his social media is filled with pictures from all the parties he attends, drinking and dancing.
He doesn’t look like a threat, but I don’t underestimate anyone.
I click out of the screen and back to the information I have on her father’s accounts.
As I study the numbers, I unbutton my shirt.
When at work, I wear clothes that show authority, but once I’m home, they become stifling.
I push the fabric over my shoulders and let it drop to the chair around me.
Scooting the seat forward, I fold my arms on the desk.
Reginald isn’t well-liked by most of his employees.
His assistant seems to be the only female who can stand being around him.
She travels everywhere with him, and if my instinct is right, he’s sleeping with her.
A man his age is messing around with a woman Haven’s age.
She is the exception since he looks down on women and isn’t afraid to voice his opinions.
Most of his employees are men. There have been two incidents of sexual harassment that have been covered up.
A total of twelve women have quit over the past two years.
That’s not a good sign. I think he deserves punishment.
The way I make that happen is yet decided.
I was already annoyed after leaving the gym.
Heath is a good man to have on your side, yet I don’t like being excluded from something that involves my family.
The plan is solid, and it makes sense, but I should be there to confront the asshole who took Lawson.
I lied. My first instinct is to just kill him and move on.
Waiting even a day longer is difficult. Having Lawson anywhere near him makes me itch.
I know he’s not a kid anymore, but until four months ago, that’s how I remember him.
Heath doesn’t ask permission, and he’s doing it the smart way.
In business, he asks my opinion, and we share a lot of the decisions.
Having no control makes me uneasy. Micah and Quinn are good men to have with you.
Bash is lethal. I’m not worried about their safety.
Anything can go wrong, and we can’t let Frank slip away.
Lawson needs closure, especially now that we have Haven.
I look up, hearing footsteps, and I know she's awake. Following her progress, she moves slowly out of her room and down the hallway. Her scent gets stronger as she comes down the stairs. I look at the doorway and grin as she tiptoes past. Seconds later, she walks backwards and stops.
“You couldn’t sleep,” I say, and she turns to face me. The desk is directly across from the door.
“Lawson hogs the bed.” She grins. “But that’s okay, I do too.” She moves into the room. “I was thirsty. I usually get up several times during the night.” She stops in front of the desk. “You have a jaguar on your chest.”
I smirk and glance down briefly. “I do.” I sit back. “Do you have any tattoos?”
“I’ve always wanted some, but I was afraid of my father’s reaction,” she mumbles, walking around the desk.
“You can get one now.” I roll the chair further back, my legs spread.
“You’re right.” She leans on the wood beside me. “Do you have others?” She slides toward me.
“Yes,” I grin.
“Mmm…” Her gaze travels down. “What are you doing? Why aren’t you in bed?”
“I’m looking into your father's business.”
She meets my eyes, frowning. “Why?”
“I want to be prepared. If he tries to hurt you, I can hurt him.” She bites her lip and scoots in front of me.
“Remy told you about his call,” she murmurs.
“He did.” I pat my thigh. Her eyes widen, but she steps forward. I wait until she moves between my legs and I grip her hips. “Straddle me.” She eases onto my lap. “I was digging into his life before he called.” I drop my hands to her thighs. “Do you think he’ll try to find you?”
“Probably.” She folds her hands together and rests them between us. “When I was there, he still had some control. He doesn’t like not knowing where I am.”
“Do you know what he wants?” I drum my fingers on her legs.
“When I was young, I didn’t realize Mom’s paintings were worth anything.
It wasn’t a big deal to me when I took them.
I think he allowed it because I still lived at home, and thought he could convince me to tell him where they were.
After I moved out, he kept track of me. I spent a lot of money on a giant safe, and it would have taken some work for him to take the whole thing out of wherever I lived.
” She sighs. “I’ve pushed him away as far as I dared.
I didn’t worry much because I knew he had plenty of money, so my mom's art was safe.”
“It isn’t safe anymore,” I whisper, tracing the edge of her shirt. “He won’t let it go, especially after that phone call.”
“You’re right.” She slides closer, and I drop my hand.
She lays her head on my chest. “I should have known better. I’ve been ignoring his calls.
We have a weekly appointment. He calls. I answer.
He lectures, and I listen. Since coming here, I haven’t answered.
I didn’t tell him I was coming here, and I knew he wouldn’t be happy. I’ve felt safe here.”
“You are,” I say softly.
“I’ve been in denial. I know I have to deal with him. It’s been nice not to.” She snuggles closer, wrapping her arms around my waist.
“You don’t have to.”
“What?”
“I’ll deal with him.” I glide my hand up her back.
“How?”
“If he comes here, he sees me. If he pushes, I will talk to the right people and get him arrested.”
She sits up. “What do you mean?”
“He’s doing something illegal. I haven’t put it all together yet. I don’t like dealing with the human police, but he's human. I know people who can put him away.” She looks away. “Is that something you would be alright with?”
“After he hit me, I wished for someone to rescue me. I didn’t know where to turn for help. He seemed like such a force, like nothing could touch him.” She meets my eyes. “The vengeful part of me would love it. Is that wrong?”
“No,” I rumble, caressing her arm.
“You wouldn’t lie to me, would you?” she asks quietly.
“No. I could have kept all of this from you and made him disappear.” Her mouth parts.
“I thought about it. We live by a different set of rules.
Yes, we're part human, yet our animal instincts push us. They tell us to protect you, no matter how we have to do that. Is that wrong? Does that scare you?”
“None of you scare me. It makes me feel good to know you would go that far for me.” She lays her palm on my chest. “You would do anything for your family.”
“Yes. You are my family.” I cover her hand. “I will consider what you want when I make a decision about your father.” She nods slightly and stares at our hands.
“Can I think about it?”
“Of course, but I don’t know when he will show himself.” After his conversation with Remy, I don’t think it will be long.
“I don’t want him to do anything to you,” she whispers, raising her gaze.
“He can’t.”
“He can try.”
“Then we deal with him our way.” I wouldn’t mind killing him. “I hate what he's done to you.”
“He hasn’t hit me since I’ve moved out. He tried once,” she mumbles, and I tighten my hand.
“I threatened him. I told him I would call the police if he touched me. I never spoke to him that way, and I think it scared him. After that, he tried to control me in other ways. Like Brian.” I tense up. “He didn’t mean anything.”
“I know. It doesn’t mean I like thinking about him,” I growl, and her scent changes. I tilt my head. “You like that?”
“I’ve never had anyone feel jealousy over me,” she whispers.
“I think you have, you just weren’t paying attention.
” I sit straight, gripping her hips and yanking her close.
“Just so we're clear. If anyone touches you, hurts you, or says anything to offend you, we will kill them. You are ours. Mine. I will do anything to protect what is mine. I'm giving you a choice with your father, but I don’t want to. The things he has done to you are enough to warrant his death.”
“I don’t know if I can say it’s okay,” she whispers.
“I know. We won’t decide anything now.” I cup her face. “There is something else. You said you want honesty.”
“Yes.” I drag my hands away and palm her hips.
“Lawson said he told you about his past.” She nods. “Heath found his adoptive dad. He is meeting with him tomorrow.”
“Is Lawson going?” she asks.
“No. It’s better that he stays here. We're building a trap for Frank, and we don’t want to reveal that Law is here.” I squeeze my hands. “He won’t be hurt.”
“How did you know what I was thinking?”
“Your body and scent tell me,” I say softly.
She wrinkles her nose. “Are you going?”
“No. I want to, but my scent would smell similar to Lawson’s.”
“Will all of you stay here?” she asks.
“Yes.” Her expression smooths out.
“Good,” she sighs. “I know he needs closure, but I don’t want anything to happen to him. To any of you.”