Chapter Six
Ezra
“My mate has a handprint on her ass,” Micah hisses, flexing his shoulders. “I can imagine how hard he grabbed her since it hasn’t healed yet.”
“And you didn’t kill him?” I ask, and Heath huffs.
“His heart was moments from stopping,” he grumbles, and Heath clears his throat.
“I didn’t realize in the heat of the moment that I was leaking my power to everyone in the club.
I’m grateful to you. I would never intentionally hurt anyone in the family.
My mate was my priority, and I would cease living if anything happened to her. ”
“News travels fast in this group,” I mumble.
“You have no idea,” Heath drawls.
“I understand.” I glance at Rylee. “You did the right thing.”
“Is Daisy going to be alright?” Rylee asks.
“She will. I’ll make sure she recovers,” Micah says, looking around. “After we fix my fuck-up.”
“She is in Ryker’s office. Serenity is with her now,” Heath says.
“I will offer my apology to everyone. If I had hurt the unborn children…” He shakes his head.
“You didn’t. What I did was an extra safety measure. The babies are protected by their mothers. I just reacted, but I couldn’t sense any pain from them.” I appreciate his words, but I need to wrap it up.
“I would like to meet with you another time,” Micah says.
“Sure. I’ll give Rylee my number.” I nod at him and then Heath before stepping around them, pulling Rylee behind me.
“You are not fine,” she whispers.
I don’t respond because I don’t want to lie to her.
Moving at a steady pace, the crowd parts easily, and we make it to the front door.
I allow Rylee to go first after I open the door, and the bouncer nods at her.
Luckily, I didn’t park far away, and I click the locks as we approach.
I open the passenger's side door and wait for her to get in. She pauses, staring at me.
“What?” I ask.
“I can drive,” she says, and I smile.
“Foxy, I can drive.” I don’t have an excessive amount of pride. I think I have the normal amount. I cup her cheek. “Will you let me escort my lovely mate home? It means something to me.” She leans against my hand.
“Yes.” She smiles slightly and gets inside. I walk stiffly around the hood and sit in the driver's seat. I wait until she clicks her seat belt before doing the same and starting the car. I pull out my phone and pass it to her.
“Put in your number, and text yourself.” She takes it from my fingers. “I don’t know where you live. Can you put it in the system?”
“Yeah.” She enters her address, and I drive away.
“How long have you known all of them?” I ask.
“Not long.” She slides my phone into the cup holder.
“Heath is a private man. He’s known Micah and Quinn, a bear shifter, for a long time.
They lost touch for years, and then reconnected.
He didn’t want to be part of the group and didn’t tell anyone about me.
His family is long gone, and he didn’t want to get close to anyone again, only to lose them.
When he met Juliana, everything changed.
Sally came to one of my fights and discovered who I am to Heath.
There was no stopping her after that,” she laughs.
“I haven’t known Sally long, but that doesn’t surprise me.” I glance at the screen on the dashboard as I turn.
“I love her. We’ve spent time together outside of the group, and I admire her.
She loves hard and wants to include everyone in her circle.
After Heath completed the bond, he became more involved with the family.
He needs them, but doesn’t like admitting it.
” She crosses her legs, leaning closer to me.
“Bane and Hunter work for him. They are my brothers regardless of blood. Haven is my best friend. Not long ago, she came to visit, met the four of them, and completed the bond. Heath knew about her before she came, but no one else did. This dynamic is new to her, and she was human before the mating.”
“She has adapted well to being a jaguar.” I could tell she was newly turned, yet her animal is deeply ingrained.
“I’ve known her since we were teenagers, but I didn’t reveal what I was until she was driving her to meet me,” she says.
“You’d never met in person?”
“No. We were pen pals in school. Both of us were a little broken and dealing with extreme situations. She became my safe place,” she whispers.
“I’m grateful to her.” I pull into a parking lot.
“You can park in front.” She points to the right. “I’m on the fifth floor.” I find a spot to park and turn off the car. “You don’t have to come up.”
“Yes, I do.” I grab the keys and phone, then step out. I make it to her door as she opens it. “Humor me.” I take her hand and lock the car. “Lead the way.”
The building looks nice. I look around the area and notice security cameras in every corner and at the front of the apartment. All of the lights work, and I don’t see any dark spots. We stop at the double glass doors, and she enters a code. A man at the desk stands.
“Miss Rylee.” He nods.
“Hey, Stan. This is Ezra. You’ll see him around.”
“Good to know,” he says, smiling.
“He’s dropping me off, so he’ll be back down soon,” she says, walking toward the elevators.
“Sure thing. Have a good night.”
“Same to you.” She pushes the button, and the elevator opens in the next second. “It’s a nice building.”
“I see that.”
“You remind me of Heath,” she laughs. “He looked around at everything when we found this place. He wanted to make sure I was safe.” She looks at me. “Thank you for thinking about my safety.”
“I’m warning you now that won’t stop.”
“I know I can take care of myself, but I won’t turn down someone who wants to do it for me.” The doors open, and she steps to the right. Her door is steps away. “The most important thing to me is being careful and safe.”
“We agree on that,” I say softly. “I’m going to check your home before I go.”
“I’ll let you.” She enters a long code into the pad beside the door. “Even though it would take a lot to get in.” She scans her fingerprints and opens the door. She steps forward, and I grab her arm.
“Allow me.” I enter first and pull her behind me. “Will you stay here, please?” I push her gently to the side and against the wall.
“Yes,” she whispers.
I move quickly through the space. I don’t sense anyone else in the apartment, yet my animal and the man are pushing me to act.
Later, I will reflect on the beauty of the space, knowing it will give me insight into my lovely mate.
The living room, kitchen, and reading nook are easy to search since there are no walls or hiding spots.
There are three doors further inside the space.
One door leads to a spare bedroom. It’s basic and impersonal, decorated simply.
I enter the room, check the closets, and the bathroom.
I keep moving, walk through the main bathroom, and stop outside her room.
The door is shut slightly, and I hear her heart speed up as I press on the wood with my fingertips to open it, but I don’t step inside.
She isn’t ready to share the space with anyone.
Instead of going inside, I push my senses and know there is no danger here for her.
I turn around and walk toward her. What am I going to do with her?
I don’t want to leave her alone. She needs the space to adjust, and I need to recover.
Her home is secure, so I don’t have to worry as much as I would if it were not.
Perhaps, once I’m back to normal, I will come back.
Even if it’s just to sit outside, and know she is as close as she will allow.
She hasn’t moved from where I put her, and it satisfies me in a way she is not ready to hear.
“What are you doing tomorrow morning?” I ask, stopping two inches away.
“Being with you,” she says softly, and I grin.
“Good answer.” I tilt my head, smelling her desire. “I will bring you breakfast.”
“I never turn down food.” She licks her lips. Her body and scent are telling me to kiss her. I’ve done something right tonight. She’s comfortable in my presence, at least, to a certain extent.
“Do you sleep in?” I lean closer, brushing my nose over her cheek.
“Sometimes,” she breathes.
“Is nine too early?” I press my palms to the wall on either side of her head.
“No.” She shivers as I kiss her forehead lightly.
“What is your favorite breakfast food?” I drag my lips to her ear.
“Umm…” She clears her throat. “Anything.”
“Tell me,” I demand, my lips grazing her ear.
“Breakfast burritos,” she whispers.
“Anything else?” I glide my teeth lightly down her jaw.
“Hash browns,” she pants.
“I’ll bring both at nine.” I lift my head slightly. She stares at my mouth, her breathing escalated. “Spend the day with me.”
“Yes.” She meets my gaze.
I lower my head just enough to brush my mouth against hers, ease back, and trace her lips with my tongue. It’s painful, but I step back.
“Sleep well, Foxy.” I glide my fingers down her jaw and then move to the door. “I’ll wait until you lock up.” I open the door, and she shakes her head and steps away from the wall.
“Drive safe,” she says, and I nod. I enter the hallway and pause. “Tomorrow, Ezra.”
I grin, and she shuts the door slowly. I hold her stare until the wood is between us.
I wait until I hear the beeps of the security pad, press my palm to the door a moment, and then walk away.
I move quickly to the elevator, pressing the button, and lunging inside as it opens.
Gritting my teeth, I flex my fingers, my body at war.
I don’t want to leave, but I’m in no shape to convince her to let me stay.
Her boundaries are important to me. My needs are secondary.
Even though time isn’t on my side, I stop at the front desk.
“Ezra,” Stan says.
“Pen and paper,” I mumble. He frowns, but gives it to me. “This is my number. Rylee is important to me. If she is ever in trouble, call me.”
“Sir?”