BOOK 3 #3
I wanted to tell her no, that we were fine, but the truth was, I was worried. Yes, we could handle two human men, but I’d always sensed something was off with my partners. They weren’t shifters, but they were more than mere humans, of that, I was sure. “Call him.”
“It’s going to be fine.” Syn pulled her phone out. “Hey Lyric, can I talk to your mate? I think we have an issue here at Laikyn’s place in Kansas City.”
I stared out at the night. I could see the Plaza lights and had always thought it romantic how they glimmered. Now, I wish I were back in South Dakota beneath the comforting shell of family and friends.
My ears picked up the deep baritone of Rowan Shade, his tone as commanding as Kellen’s. I had no doubt he’d be telling the alpha exactly what was going on in no time. Not that I blamed him, since Kellen’s baby sister was with me.
“Shit, Syn, maybe you should go. I mean, if you got hurt because of me, Kellen would never forgive me.”
Syn held her phone out. “Rowan wants to talk to you.”
I looked at the phone like it was a rattlesnake ready to bite me before taking it. “Hi, Rowan. What’s up?”
“First of all, don’t even start that bullshite about splitting up, or I’ll personally beat your ass, then let Kellen know so he can too.
Second, you need to get your bags and go to a hotel until we get there.
If both Syn’s and your creep meter are going off, I’d say you are correct.
You two shouldn’t have gone off without backup in the first place.
” Rowan didn’t tone down his anger. His deep voice growled out each word as he gave me orders.
“Alright. You have my address and my number. We’ll stay at a hotel until you guys get here.” Chewing on my lip, Syn and I stared at each other.
“It’ll be okay, but I want to stay on the phone with you until you get to the vehicle, then call once you secure a hotel.
Do not speak to anyone. Don’t say where you’re going out loud until you are on the road.
I want you to watch your backs and be conscious of your surroundings.
Syn’s gonna be driving, so that means you have to be her eyes behind, and all around. Got it? We’ll be there within hours.”
All of a sudden, I felt like I was in some sort of movie, and I wanted to hit pause and find a new one to watch. I didn’t like horror movies. I always preferred action, adventure, or comedy to the slasher type that kept you up at night.
“I need you to answer me, Lake,” Rowan growled.
“Yes. I got it.” I knew Syn heard every word as well.
We made our way back through my apartment, looking through the peephole, before I punched in the alarm code to turn it off.
Once we had our bags in hand, we walked out together and toward the elevator.
Fear of the men coming out of the apartment, while we waited for the doors to open, ate a hole in the pit of my stomach.
Syn squeezed my hand, neither of us breathed as we waited.
Just as the door swooshed open, I heard a lock down the hall disengaging.
Syn and I rushed inside, pressing the G button and the door-closing button.
The same cologne wafted toward us, letting me know the apartment door across the hall had opened.
By the time we reached the ground floor, my nerves were frazzled, but I kept the line open with Rowan. His steady breathing kept me grounded.
Syn tossed her bag in the open bed, foregoing the backseat. I followed suit. Both of us hopped in, pulling out of the garage without the trailer attached since we’d disengaged it when we’d arrived.
“Duck down, Lake. They won’t recognize me if they see a vehicle pulling out.”
I looked at the floorboard and my five-foot-nine-inch self. I did my best to curl into a ball. The tinted windows would hide me, I hoped. “I’m putting you on speaker, Rowan.” I placed the phone between the seats.
With the music playing, Syn sang along to a rock song, acting as if she hadn’t a care in the world. I stayed down until I felt the vehicle pick up speed.
“You can get up. I’m thinking those two hunky men with bodies to die for are your partners?”
“Did you see them?” I looked behind and saw no other vehicles on the interstate at that time of night.
“Girl, I don’t know why you didn’t like them, other than they drench themselves in cologne, cause damn, they were fine. If that was them. Are they brothers?” Syn asked.
Nodding, I pulled my hair into a ponytail. “They’re supposed to be fraternal twins. Although I swear they’re almost identical. Nobody else says anything about their cologne, but I can’t stand it.”
“I think it’s because they’re not your mate, or mates. The fact that they were at your neighbor’s and had clearly been in your apartment is also weird as all get out. Do you think they?” She stopped and made an obscene hand motion. “You know, like jacked off with your panties?”
“Holy fuck. Where do you come up with this stuff?” Looking at the gorgeous dark-haired girl, I wondered if she’d had someone do that to her.
“Girl, don’t you watch TV? All good psychos do that. So, where are we staying the night?”
I let out a deep breath. “Somewhere safe and secure.” I named an upscale hotel.
“What do you think, Rowan? I’d rather you approve and not have to switch.” Syn’s fingers tapped out a rhythm on the wheel.
After getting the all clear from Rowan, I kept looking back to make sure we weren’t being followed. Syn refused to let the valet park the truck. “You realize it’s crazy not to let someone who is paid to park vehicles do it, right?”
Syn lifted her bag out of the back and tossed mine down, then hopped out. “Whatever. Have you seen how some of them asshats drive? No, thank you. My baby is safe in my hands.”