CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE – LILY #3
I gape at him, the glee-filled malice in his breath making my stomach churn. “None of that is true,” I spit, glaring up at him. “You write any of those lies, and I’ll deny every damn word.”
“Then give me an exclusive,” he wheedles, stepping forward until I’m pressed between him and the side of the SUV. “My editor will pay a small fortune if you give us all the dirt, including a few sexy pictures.”
He lifts the camera with a grin, and I use his distraction to slam my foot down on his ankle.
Unfortunately, I’m wearing soft-soled sneakers instead of boots with spurs, but it’s enough for him to stumble back, and then Wyatt is grabbing his shoulder and whirling him around.
“Back off, bud,” he growls, “or I’ll shove that camera down your damned throat. ”
The alpha sneers at the younger man and juts his chin out belligerently. “Want to go on record saying that? I’m a reporter from the Chicago Sun, and I have every right to do whatever the fuck I want on public land.”
Instead of backing off, Wyatt hooks his thumb in his belt and drawls, “Well, you’re also in Eagle County, asshole, and I know a dozen places I could dump your stinking corpse where only the buzzards would ever take an interest.”
There’s enough confidence in his voice for the reporter to hesitate, and I shoot Wyatt a grateful smile as I open the driver’s door and jump behind the wheel.
Zander and Jenny have already settled Catherine into her seat, and as soon as we’re all buckled in, I drive back to the ranch as fast I can, considering the precious cargo I’m carrying.
To my relief, Logan, Otley, and Tristan are all waiting out front when we arrive.
They’re careful not to crowd Catherine, who is clearly starting to wilt, but she gives them a polite smile as Jenny and Zander lead her inside.
I’m tempted to follow, but the guys don’t hesitate to crowd me, Logan’s eyes narrowing as he reaches for my arm.
“Is that a bruise?” He leans forward, inhaling sharply, and no doubt smelling where the reporter grabbed me. “Who the fuck touched you, LeeLee?”
“There was a reporter at the facility…”
“Jack Ward,” Wyatt says, his distaste written all over his face.
“He’s a freelancer who said he’s with the Chicago Sun.
Cooper’s already looking into him and it seems he’s a real piece of shit, excuse my language, ma’am.
” He bobs his head in my direction before focusing on the alphas.
“He’s currently renting a room at the Motel 6 in Redstone. ”
“Good work,” Otley says, his voice razor-sharp. “Get a vehicle over there now and sit on him for a few hours.”
Wyatt nods and hurries off, while Logan pulls me into his arms, his mouth going straight for the collar of my shirt. I give a surprised squeak as he nips my scent gland through the fabric, his pheromones crashing over me in a possessive wave. “You need to shower. Now.”
I reach up to stroke his clenched jaw. “I’m fine, Logan. I had a bath just before I left.”
“You need to wash that asshole off,” Otley says abruptly, his nostrils flaring as he steps so close his shoulder brushes Logan’s. It’s like being surrounded by a wall of alpha frustration, and I watch Otley’s eyes flash behind his glasses as he says, “We should help you.”
“Help me shower?” I laugh, but the intensity in his gaze makes me swallow my giggles. “Um, I really don’t need -.”
Before I can finish the sentence, Tristan steps forward and gives me a quick hug, his eyes both fierce and regretful. “I’m sorry that happened to you, sweetheart, but you should let the guys do this. It won’t stop them from running the guy out of town, but it will calm them down a little.”
“It wasn’t that bad,” I murmur, using his proximity to take a gulp of his calming scent. “Just a lot of ugly words, you know?”
He hums his understanding, but there’s still a hitch in his smile. “You smell divine, like always, but even I can sense the guy’s mark on you. It must be driving our alphas crazy.”
Our alphas? I look into his eyes, my stomach clenching at the truth I see there.
“Okay,” I concede with a sigh, since I do feel kind of grimy after the run-in. “But I want to check on Catherine first. And we need to call Ellis. He said he’d be here by dinnertime, but he was really anxious for an update.”
“I’m taking care of all that,” he tells me, leaning in to brush a kiss over my lips. Peppermint and green apples fill my senses, soothing my nerves almost as much as the warmth in his hazel eyes. “Leave it with me and let the guys take care of you.”
I nod, and that’s all the permission Logan needs to practically carry me inside.
I can hear Leo talking to Rosie and Doc in the kitchen, but the guys steer me straight towards the stairs.
Otley is so close I can hear the not-so-subtle grinding of his teeth, and I bite back a smile as the three of us bump our way up to the pack suite.
I cast a longing glance at the nest, but they hustle me straight into the bathroom.
I give an awkward chuckle as they step back, both watching me like I’m the most interesting thing they’ve seen all day. “Okay. I’m here, and in close proximity to the shower gel. You really don’t need -.”
“Strip, LeeLee,” Logan growls, a challenging glint in his eyes, “or I’m gonna let this guy tie you to the vanity, and we’ll lick that guy’s stink off you.”