Chapter 8 Reid #2
I sighed. “I promise it’s not like that. It’s because of our past.”
Logan stopped in front of a large door. Behind it, I could hear the quiet murmuring of deep voices. “Ah, yes. The past that’s likely going to make me get violent. How exciting! I can’t wait to hear all about it.”
Finlay asked me to give the three of them a brief rundown of my past. The abuse I’d suffered at the hands of my so-called family. The belittlement. The ostracisation. The endless chores.
They didn’t push for any details, letting me take it at my own pace. To my horror, I ended up in tears on more than one occasion. The third time it happened, Logan squashed himself in next to me on the sofa, offering me tissues and hugs.
The whole time I spoke, my mind worked, wondering why Clyde has shown up now, so soon after other shifters had entered my life.
I didn’t like the conclusion I landed on.
When I finally finished with an explanation of how I’d fled in the middle of the night, there was a long silence. I fidgeted in my seat, face burning from the intense stares being levelled at me. I knew they weren’t judging me, but couldn’t they say something?
Finally, Logan broke the silence. “Okay, so I was both wrong and right.”
I turned to him. “What do you mean?”
His eyes were slightly glassy as he responded. “I could’ve lived without hearing that, but it’s definitely got me ready to carry out some violence.”
I snickered, the mood lightening. “Why is it the most murderous beings come in the cutest packages?”
Logan nodded solemnly. “Because if we were giant too, we’d be truly unstoppable.”
“You’re not the only one feeling violent.” Calan cracked his knuckles. “I say we make an unscheduled visit to the Clarkson Clan.”
“No,” I said in alarm. It was one thing joking about it, but I didn’t want them intervening on my behalf. “You can’t.”
“Reid, you’re a human on our lands,” Finn said gently. “We have reason to believe that Clyde’s intentions towards you aren’t honourable. Even without the history, we’d be within our rights to intervene.”
My chest felt too tight. “But not with violence. The treaty hasn’t been broken. Not yet, anyway.”
Calan frowned. “Are ye saying that ye want us to wait until he hurts or kidnaps ye?”
“Fuck that,” Logan said. “I’m not waiting.”
“You have to.” I got out of my chair and started to pace.
It was no good—tears were already starting to obscure my vision again.
I fucking hated how easily I cried. It was another reminder of how weak I was.
I’d spent my childhood suppressing my emotions, only for them to all catch up to me once I was free of my family.
“Believe me, violence is what he wants. If you attack him, he’ll just escalate any plans he already has. ”
“I understand what you’re saying, Reid,” Finn said, his mouth in a tight line, “but it’s not just you at risk, it’s Chester too. Clyde went to his shop and threatened him. I can’t let that slide.”
I came to a stop in front of him. “He did that because he wants to get a rise out of you. Attacking him is what he expects. You can’t walk into his trap that easily.”
“How do you know it’s a trap?”
“Because I know him.” I fell back into my seat heavily, sharing the revelation I’d been turning over in my mind for the past few minutes.
“Clyde appearing now isn’t a coincidence.
I suspect he’s known where I am this whole time.
Whatever he wants, it has to be connected to you having made contact with me. ”
Calan scowled. “All the more reason for us to go on the offensive.”
I rolled my eyes. “You might be big and tough, but you’re not very smart. Aren’t you listening? That’s exactly what he wants you to do.”
Logan giggled. “Ha. Knew we’d get along.”
I ignored that, continuing to address Calan. “I’m not saying he’s just doing this to get a rise out of you. If he wanted to do that, he could’ve just crossed your borders.”
“Which means you do come into it somewhere,” Finn said grimly. “You’re right on both counts, I think. Clyde is spoiling for a fight, but he’s also after you for whatever reason.”
“Probably to punish me for escaping.” I sighed. “Guess it makes you look weak if a lowly human can escape your clutches.”
There was a sudden pinch on my side, making me jump. “What the fuck?”
Logan was glaring at me. “Don’t talk about yourself like that. I don’t like it. You’re not lowly.”
“I am compared to shifters.”
Now all three of them were glaring at me. From outside, I thought I heard a quiet growl.
Fucking great.
“Look”—I addressed Finn, desperate for this to be over with. I wanted to be somewhere I could break down fully without an audience—“going after Chester isn’t in his best interests, and Clyde doesn’t do anything not in his best interests.”
Finn looked doubtful. “I’m not sure…”
“Please,” I begged, tears welling up in my eyes again. Jesus, I’d need a pint or two of electrolytes at this rate. “It’ll just make things worse for me. Please, Finn. He won’t hurt Chester. It’s me he wants.”
“How about this—one of us will pay a visit to Clyde.” He holds up a hand to silence my protests. “It’s standard procedure when any shifter crosses our boundary, Reid. I can promise that there won’t be any violence unless absolutely necessary, but we will feel him out. Okay?”
I didn’t like it, but I knew better than to argue. Shifter laws and procedures were always upheld. “Fine. I don’t think you need to worry too much though. Once I’ve moved on, he’ll likely lose interest.”
There was no missing the growl from outside this time. It was so loud that the glass in the window rattled. The shifters inside the room looked just as unhappy as Evan sounded.
Logan put his arm around my shoulders. “Now, why would you do something silly like that?”
“Because my family know where I am now. I have to leave.” I ignored the internal voice pointing out that they’d likely known where I was all along. “If Clyde comes back, I won’t be able to fight him off, and I’m definitely not going back to the Clarkson lands. I’d rather die.”
“We won’t let that happen,” Calan growled.
“Indeed we won’t,” Finn said. “You’ll have a guard on you around the clock, Reid. We won’t let yer father or any other clan members near ye.”
I stared at him. They had to be kidding, right? But from the unblinking way the three of them were watching me, they weren’t. “Absolutely not. I’ll be fine on my own.”
“The Clarkson Clan are dangerous, Reid.”
I was on my feet in a flash, hands on my hips as I faced Finn.
“You think I don’t know that? Why the fuck do you think I want to run?
I don’t need to be reminded that I’m weak, Finn.
I know full well that any of them could kill me with little more than a flick of their wrist. I spent every day of my life being reminded of that fact.
I don’t need you to remind me of it again now. ”
Finn paled. “Reid, no, that’s not what I meant at all. I just—”
“Let me.” Logan interrupted, inserting himself between us and facing me. “None of us think you’re weak, Reid. The fact that you’re standing up for yourself in a room full of dangerous shifters proves that.”
I harrumphed but let him continue.
“Like ye said earlier, Clyde showing up as we appear in yer life can’t be a coincidence. Whatever his plans are, we’re likely to be involved somehow. Therefore we’re at fault. Therefore you have to let us guard ye. It’s the only logical conclusion.”
My brain was used to keeping up with convoluted thought processes, but I still wasn’t sure how he’d reached that point. “Um, sure?”
“Great.” He beamed at me. “Glad that’s all settled. I’ll take the first shift. We’re going to have so much fun together, Reid. Just you wait and see.”