Chapter Eleven #2
Eli had never wanted to murder his brother before but was sorely tempted.
He’d heard Cyrus heading their way—it wasn’t as though he’d tried to hide it.
It was also a stark reminder that his brother had been disposing of a body, something that should have been his job, while he’d been locked in a kiss with Kinley.
That was bad enough, but the fact Cyrus felt the need to issue the warning stung.
Being aware of his surroundings at all times had been drummed into him since birth. It had never been a problem until Kinley.
Give me this. I need it. I need you. Her words echoed in his head.
“We’ll be right there.” He gave a hard jerk of his head toward the house, hoping his brother would take the not-so-subtle hint.
Cyrus frowned but refrained from saying anything more as he sauntered away.
It was a temporary reprieve. He’d have plenty to say about this later.
“I’m so embarrassed.” Kinley’s voice was muffled against his throat.
He rubbed his hand up and down her spine wishing they hadn’t been interrupted. “Don’t mind Cyrus. He’s always hyper-focused on safety.” As Eli should be until the threat was dealt with.
She lifted her head and took a step away, tugging the hem of her shirt into place and fixing the cuffs, even though they didn’t need it. “He’s right to be concerned. I distracted you. That was wrong of me.”
He hated hearing her regret their kiss. “You weren’t the only one who needed the contact.”
“No?” He wasn’t sure why it seemed to surprise her.
“We’re both wolves. It’s natural to seek touch for reassurance.”
“Oh. Sure.” She rubbed her hands over her face. “I get it.” When she started to walk away, he grabbed her hand to stop her.
“What do you get?”
“Cyrus will be back if we don’t get to the house.”
“He can wait another minute.”
“Fine, but don’t blame me if he comes stomping back here.” She looked up at the sky and all around, everywhere but at him. “I understand that a fight gets the testosterone pumping. I get that’s all it was. Let’s not make a big deal out of it. It was only a kiss.”
It was much more than “only a kiss,” at least for him. To hear her speak of it in such a nonchalant way was downright irritating. “Let me get this straight. You think I was aroused because of the violence and that’s why I kissed you?”
“Look, it’s a perfectly normal reaction to want to reaffirm life when faced with death.”
“Is that why you wanted to kiss me?”
She went pale and shoved his hand away. “No.”
“Why? Because you’re female and I’m male.” He was doing his best not to be insulted, but it wasn’t easy.
She threw her hands up in the air. “It sounds stupid when you put it like that.”
“I’ve fought more times than you can begin to comprehend.
” It was a way of life for him and his brothers.
“Violence is nothing new. It’s bred into my bones and runs through my veins.
Not once have I been so overwhelmed with lust that I forgot my surroundings and did something as stupid as I just did.
” She flinched as though he’d struck her. “Fuck, I didn’t mean it that way.”
“We both agree the kiss was a mistake. Can we please move on?” Both her voice and body were stiff.
“I kissed you because I wanted to.” His wolf was snarling, not happy with how he was handling the situation. “No other woman can make me forget where I am and what I should be doing. Only you.”
“Eli.”
He cut her off before she could continue.
Cyrus’s patience wasn’t limitless. He was in enough shit as it was without adding to it.
“No. I shouldn’t have allowed myself to be distracted.
There’s too much at stake. I won’t risk your life.
” Done with talking, he started up the path but stopped and waited, unwilling to leave her out here alone.
“You’re confusing. You know that? For a man who claims to be attracted to me, you don’t seem to like me much right now.” She stomped past him.
“And for a woman who claimed to need my touch, you don’t seem to like me much right now either.” That drew a small laugh that loosened the tightness in his gut.
“Guess our timing sucks.”
He grunted in agreement. There might never be a right time for them.
That wasn’t helping his black mood. So much could go wrong.
Either of them could be killed. If they survived, there was no guarantee she’d want anything to do with him once the threat was past. For now, he was a safe port in the storm.
It wasn’t that he thought she was intentionally using him in that way.
He was the one who’d had to convince her to stay.
But it was her only real option if she wanted a chance to survive.
Running off on her own would only get her dragged back home or killed and they both knew it.
He was emotionally in over his head. If he allowed himself to get in any deeper and she walked away in the end... It was probably best for both of them to back off while the situation was dire and focus on staying alive.
One problem at a time. It’s how he dealt with any job. He clenched his hands by his sides to keep from reaching out to Kinley. She was more than a mere job. That was the problem.
There was no sign of any of his brothers when they reached the driveway, no doubt they were out patrolling the mountain. They could only keep up this level of heightened security for a limited time. If the enemy didn’t come to them, they’d have to take it to them. That would be trickier.
Don’t borrow trouble.
Arms wrapped around herself, Kinley picked up her pace, practically sprinting across the yard and bolting up the porch steps. She was likely trying to put some distance between them. He’d made a real mess of things with both her and his brother.
Inside, Cyrus was at his seat at the table.
Although he gave the appearance of being calm, Eli knew better.
Better to clear the air then let things fester.
Zach was examining a phone. The case on it wasn’t familiar.
It had to belong to Ridge. Cyrus had likely found it in the man’s pocket.
If anyone could get into it, it would be Zach.
The man was a wizard with technology, had designed and sold several apps that bolstered their finances.
Zach glanced up and started to smile, but it quickly faded.
One look at Eli’s face had him jumping up from the table.
“I’ll keep working upstairs. Call me when you’re done.
” He bumped Eli’s shoulder on the way, and sent Kinley a nod of encouragement.
No one moved or said anything until they heard the door close in the distance.
“I have something to say.” Kinley walked around the table and stood at the far end facing Cyrus. It put her on one side and him and his brother on the other. There was little doubt it was intentional. Crossing his arms over his chest, Eli waited to see what she had to say.
She shifted her weight from one foot to the other. “There’s nothing I can do that will make up for what happened here today.” She drew a shaky breath. “Death is never easy and it shouldn’t be.”
Maybe not for her, but he’d had no trouble dealing with the backstabbing bastard, and neither did Cyrus.
“I fear this is only the beginning. I’d leave if I thought it would save more bloodshed on your land.
” Every muscle in Eli’s body tensed. He glanced at Cyrus, trying to gauge his reaction.
As usual, he was unreadable. She leaned forward and pressed her palms on the table.
“Since we all know the Alabama Pack will come regardless of what I do, I’d like to stay and fight.
I promise I won’t be a distraction going forward. ”
Cyrus stirred and pinned her with a steely stare. “You will be a distraction, but that’s not your problem.” He glared at Eli. “It’s his.”
There was no denying it, nor would he. They both deserved the truth and his respect. “It won’t happen again.” As much as he longed to be near her, as much as he craved her touch, he had to deny herself.
It’s only until she’s safe.
Cyrus shook his head. “I honestly believe you’ll try, but I’m telling you you’ll fail. We’re successful at what we do because every move we make is cold and calculated. Emotion has no place in a fight. It clouds the thinking and causes men to do stupid things.”
He wasn’t wrong. Eli had seen it time and time again. It was too late to take her and leave. “What do you suggest?”
“Before this is done, we’re going to bury a lot of bodies on this mountain. I don’t want one of them to be yours.” Cyrus pushed up from the table. “For God’s sake, be smart.” He yanked Eli into his arms and thumped him on the back. “I can’t afford to lose any of my brothers.”