Chapter 6
Chapter Six
DANTE
I lean against the bathroom door jamb. Ava hugs the toilet bowl like it’s her new best friend. Her dark hair is in a low knot in her nape, and her face is pale, a sheen of sweat glistening on her forehead.
Despite her obvious discomfort, her gray eyes are alight with a feverish intensity as they scan the screen of her phone clutched tightly in her hand.
“How you holding up?” I ask, trying to conceal some of the concern.
Ava’s head snaps up, her gaze locking with mine. A grin spreads across her face, and she waves her phone at me excitedly. “Dante, you won’t believe what I found! Congressman Thorne has been buying up mansions left and right, all paid for in cold hard cash. There’s no way he could afford that on a government salary. Something fishy is definitely going on. I?—”
Her words are cut off as she lurches forward, retching into the toilet. In two swift strides, I’m by her side, gathering her hair back from her face as she empties the contents of her stomach.
The first thing I did yesterday was to get Archer. The second was to take her to Doc, the club’s medic. He did warn us she’d spend a shitty morning.
When Ava’s done, I grab a washcloth from the counter, wetting it with cool water before offering ti to her.
“Thanks,” she mumbles, leaning back against the wall and closing her eyes. “I’m sorry I’m monopolizing your toilet.”
“Archer pays half the rent, so it’s half his,” I tell her, hoping for a small smile.
I get it. It makes my heart skip.
“I wish I’d stop humiliating myself in front of you,” she says, then sighs.
“You had the shittiest of nights. You suffered a literal kidnapping attempt, Ava.” I meet her eyes. “You need to stop messing with these people. You’re going to get hurt.”
She frowns, her nose curling. “If Thorne is involved in something shady, the public has a right to know. He’s paid with our taxes. And you can’t threaten journalists because you want to keep your dirty secrets. I won’t stop until I get to the end of this.”
I shake my head in disbelief, my eyes going wide as I stare at her. “Are you out of your damn mind, woman? In case you forgot, someone just tried to kidnap your ass and you’re worried about some rich asshole’s real estate portfolio? You’re gonna get yourself killed chasing this story!”
Ava’s eyes flash open, a scowl twisting her pretty features. “So what, I’m just supposed to let it go? Pretend like nothing happened? Those girls deserve justice, Dante!”
I don’t even know what she’s talking about. “And what about you, huh?” I snap, my temper flaring. “You think those goons who broke into your place are just gonna shrug it off and leave you alone? Wake up, Ava! The only thing you should be worried about right now is staying alive.”
She pushes herself to her feet, swaying slightly as she glares at me. “I can’t believe you’re not on my side with this. You, of all people, should understand! You’re a shifter! Congressman Thorne is ruining your rights!”
I stiffen, my jaw clenching tight. “Keep your voice down,” I hiss, towering over her. She doesn’t back down, glaring with those steely eyes. “Do you know how I survived thirty-five years in a world that hates me? I had to hide, Ava. I had to comply. That ’s how you survive. You keep your head down and you protect your own.” I take a beat, making sure she’s paying attention. “No one can know what I am.”
Ava flares her nostrils. “You shouldn’t have to hide. You deserve the world to respect you exactly the way you are.”
Her words catch me off guard. I’m both shocked at her naivety and amazed by her strength.
I push those words away and stride out of the bathroom. “Get some rest. As soon as you’re feeling better, you’re meeting with the club president. He’s the one who’s gonna decide your fate now.”
“My fate?” she asks, her voice trembling with hesitation.
“I told you.” I glance over my shoulder at her. “No one can know I’m a shifter. King will decide what we do with you.”
Ava is too brave for her own sake. I’m gonna have to keep a close eye on her, make sure she doesn’t do anything stupid. Because if anything happens to her...
My wolf gets antsy. I don’t even want to think about it.
She’s under my protection now, whether she likes it or not. And I’ll be damned if I let anyone lay a finger on her ever again.