BOOK 3 #2
I may not be an alpha, but I was nobody’s bitch.
I drew myself up to my full height, gripped the small hand wrapped in my shirt, and squeezed.
“Listen here, little girl. Don’t come in here and think to threaten me.
I’d never hurt anyone, least of all Kellen.
You want to see who has bigger teeth, then let’s do this, but not in my clinic.
” My beast came to the front, making my voice sound deeper.
“Oh, I knew you were worthy,” Syn said, wiggling her hand and extricating herself.
I blinked down at Kellen’s sister, sure the other woman had to be crazy. “Do you need meds or something?”
“Or something, but you can’t give it to me.
I’m serious about hurting my brother, though.
Also, you’re gonna need to keep those balls you just showed me.
There are gonna be a shit-ton of she-bitches who are gonna think you ain’t good enough for him.
You’ll need to put them in their place. You’re also gonna need to put the big bad alpha in his place.
Trust me on this. If you need anything, holler at me.
I’m on your side…unless you hurt him. Feel me? ”
Taking a deep breath, I nodded. “I think you’re jumping the gun here. Your brother doesn’t want me. Not for the long run, and I’m not in the market for a part-time lover.”
“What about two?”
It took me a few seconds to understand what she was referring to. My mouth fell open. “Holy shit. How did you hear about them?”
“So, it’s true?” Syn’s eyes gleamed.
I shook my head. “Syn, how did you hear about that?” I thought back to my conversation with Alexa and was sure the other woman hadn’t spoken to anyone, then remembered that wolves could hear remarkably well.
Damn, I prayed Kellen wasn’t foaming at the mouth.
My phone buzzed, saving me from having to answer. A stethoscope image was on the screen.
“Shit,” I swore.
“A problem?” Syn looked from me to the phone in my hand.
Not wanting to lie, I shrugged. “I need to head back to Kansas City. My partners and I need to finalize my leaving. I accepted a position here at Mercy General, plus I want to be close to my parents when they’re here.” Not to mention I missed the pack and Kellen.
“You want some company along for your trip? I could use a vacation.” Sadness clouded her eyes.
I could really use a little buffer between the two men and me.
I didn’t understand why they wouldn’t accept the fact I wasn’t interested in them.
Hell, I wasn’t into them one-on-one, let alone two-on-one.
My fantasies were geared more towards one dominating alpha male, who didn’t seem to know I was alive.
Maybe if he hadn’t saved me all those years ago.
A shudder wracked me at the memory, but I pushed it aside.
The past was just that. Over and done with.
You can’t change it. You can’t live in it.
And you sure as shit can’t keep beating yourself up over mistakes.
I learned from my mistakes and have grown from them.
Okay, I may have run hard and fast, but I’d stopped running and was now ready to face my future.
If that included Kellen Styles, then I’d be one happy wolf.
However, if it didn’t, I’d learn to live without him.
“That would be great. Ever been to Missouri before?”
Syn’s smile seemed forced. “Nope. When are we leaving?”
I didn’t start my residency for another two weeks, but I wanted to get everything I could and get back. “How about tomorrow. I can rent a truck and trailer thing. My apartment came furnished, but I sorta have a lot of stuff.”
“No problem. You know we can get that packed and loaded in no time. Heck, we could always ask a couple of the guys to come along.” Syn stuffed her hands in her back pockets, looking far too casual.
“No. I’d rather just go and get it taken care of myself. It’ll only take a day to pack it up. I’d already started before I came here.”
“Alright. No need to rent a truck or trailer. I’ll pick you up.”
Listening as Syn gave me the time she’d be there, I felt as if I’d been steamrolled. However, having someone I actually trusted and liked with me on the trip back made me feel marginally better. If only Kellen were as amiable as his sister.
The next day, I heard a loud truck pull up outside the house.
I looked outside the window, seeing Syn hop down from the driver’s side in a pair of skintight jeans and a tank top.
My eyes widened at the shiny black truck.
With its turquoise stripes running down the sides and the two big hearts on the back fenders, it should look odd, but it screamed Syn.
From my view, the interior matched the same turquoise.
“Alright, I’ll be back in a few days.” I kissed my dad’s cheek, walked outside, and met Syn on the sidewalk. “Dang girl. This is one big ass truck. You sure you know how to drive it?”
“I’ll have you know I learned how to parallel park in a rig this size. You can put your bag in the backseat with mine. I packed light.” Syn opened the door to the back.
“You’re a lifesaver.” I tossed my small suitcase next to the bright pink one in the back.
“Let’s roll, chica. I want to get as close to Kansas City as possible tonight. We could make the trip in like ten hours, if you want to drive straight through?”
I nodded. “Yeah, let’s do it. If you get tired, I’ll drive.”
Syn turned to me. “Listen. I like you, but nobody drives my baby but me and Kellen. I might trust Xan, maybe even Rowan. But, and this is a big but, nobody else. Especially someone who probably drives a roller skate for a car.” She put the truck in gear.
“I think I almost feel offended.”
“Well, don’t be. I don’t even let Lyric drive my girl.”
“How’s that working for you?” I checked to make sure my phone was fully charged.
“Oh, it’s working great. She has Rowan’s, and that girl has her own shiny toys.” Laughter laced Syn’s voice.
By the time we reached Kansas City, I realized Syn was crazy, in a completely lovable way. And she wasn’t kidding about not letting me drive. Which was fine by me.
“Dang girl, you live in a high-rise in downtown? How did you let your wolf out?” Syn asked, her tone rising as we parked in the underground parking garage. Finding a large enough spot for the truck and trailer was easy since most residents had two allotted spots.
My large studio apartment afforded me enough room to shift and roam inside, but I hadn’t been able to get out and stretch in the wilds, not like at home. I missed doing that but refused to tell Syn or anyone how lonely I’d been.
“Come on. We can order some takeout and crash. I’m exhausted,” I said more cheerfully than I felt.
We rode the elevator up in silence, our suitcases in front of us.
I had to swipe my card in order to get on the elevator.
The security was one of the main reasons I’d leased the place.
As the lift reached my floor, a feeling of something not quite right settled in the pit of my stomach.
I put my hand on Syn’s arm, motioning her to wait.
Both of us stayed inside as the doors opened, using our keen hearing and heightened sense of smell before stepping out.
On each level, there were only six apartments.
Four across from the elevator, and one on each side of the elevator.
I had one of the larger ones with a view to die for.
Scents hit me, familiar yet unwelcome. I pressed my finger to my lips and shook my head.
Immediately, Syn nodded. How the hell could my partners know I was back and already be at my door?
I had no clue, unless it was just lucky timing.
However, they shouldn’t have access to my floor unless someone lets them up. I’d have to talk to the front desk.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped out with Syn behind me. Finding the hall empty, I looked around, breathing deeply for the cologne they favored, and I hated. The apartment across the hall reeked of them, making me acutely aware of just how close they had to be.
My door was farther down the hall. I quickened my pace to get to.
Syn didn’t seem inclined to do the same, making me want to rush back and pull her forward.
My hands shook as I unlocked the deadbolt.
When I entered, the alarm didn’t go off.
I knew I’d set it. My body, already strung tight, was even more so once I realized the air was heavy with the same cologne.
The smell was fresh, not weeks old like it should be.
“Nice place, Doc,” Syn said.
I shut the door, engaged all the locks, and set the alarm. “They’ve been in here.”
Syn dropped her bag, spinning around to face me. “What the hell do you mean?”
Looking around the space, I went into my bedroom. “Syn, come here. I mean, they’ve been here while I was gone, and no, they were not invited, I might add.”
Syn pinched her nose. “Girl, did they swim in that cologne or what?” She stared at me. “I’m thinking you haven’t had them here lately?”
“Try in like months. I had a party that they were invited to. They’ve stopped by on a couple of occasions, for one excuse or another, but never were invited to stay long.” I checked my drawers, seeing nothing out of place. The stacked boxes still looked the same as when I left.
“Okay, this may sound strange, but do you think they might have bugged your place, or put cameras in?” Syn went over to the bank of windows and opened them up.
“This will help air out the stink. What the fuck do they think putting all that shit on is doing for them?” Syn opened the door and stepped outside.
I gasped. “Syn, do you really think they might have?” I stopped speaking as I stood on my balcony, looking back inside. “Shit, it’s totally possible. How would we know? I can’t sleep in there thinking they are watching us.”
“I’m calling Rowan. He’d know what we should look for. Hell, he’ll probably be here in no time to check shit out.”