Chapter Thirty-Four
Carl
I t was hard to be exhausted yet so wired you couldn’t sit still at the same time, but I managed it.
I’d spent the entire night outside Gwyn’s. Usually I would sneak off in the early hours of the morning to get a bit of sleep, but with her so close to her heat, my bear was feeling too possessive to leave. He took over and curled up behind the bush at the side of her house, completely uncaring that he would be obvious if anyone happened to shine a light our way. Luckily we made it through the night, and I managed to pull him back inside before the sun came up.
“You okay, Carl?”
I waved a hand at Knox, barely swallowing the growl that wanted to break free. The kid was no threat to me or Gwyn, but there was no telling that to my bear. He was still an unmated alpha.
Pacing across the front of the shop, I kept one eye on the window between the garage and lobby to be sure no customers came in while I tried to release some of the energy coursing through me. I should have tried to rest since I wasn’t planning to get any sleep for a while, but there was no way I could sit still.
A grin broke across my face as I thought about all the ways I’d be spending my night, none of them involving sleep. Gwyn was close enough I was determined to trigger her heat, no matter what it took.
“I’m done, so I’m going to cut out. Already called the customer and told him he could pick it up in the morning.”
“Good.”
I grunted my response, not even bothering to pay attention to which of the guys had spoken. My anxiety usually had me hyper aware of everyone around me and I’d have known who it was that had come into my bubble without looking, but I was so distracted even their voice didn’t register.
It didn’t matter. All that mattered was waiting out the hours until I could sink into Gwyn.
As impatient as I was, I’d expected the day to drag on, but it was already close to closing time. The guys finished up what they were working on or found a good place to stop for the day, and slowly trickled out until there was only me and two others left.
Guilt hit when I spotted Jackson’s blond head under a hood, arm deep in an engine. I hadn’t checked up on him since I’d gotten distracted with Gwyn, and I had no idea if he’d been attending his therapy. I caught Tim’s attention and motioned for him to go ahead and go while I closed the distance between me and the young wolf.
“Need a hand?”
I wasn’t as good a mechanic as I was a handyman, but I’d helped enough to be able to manage simple repairs, or more complicated things with instructions.
“Not unless you can magically shrink your arm. Yours is bigger than mine.”
I couldn’t help the huff that escaped, or the automatic comeback.
“That’s what she said.”
Jax rolled his eyes, choosing not to encourage me by responding. If I wasn’t already distracted I might have kept going anyway, but I wasn’t trying to hang around the shop any longer than necessary.
“What’s the problem?”
He grunted, straining to push his arm deeper into the hole he’d jammed it in to reach whatever he was working on.
“Fingers keep slipping, but I’ve almost got it.”
One of the many bonuses shifters had over humans was that we could control our shift, sometimes only changing one part for a moment. It was difficult and took practice, but most shifters could manage it by adulthood. It came in handy when we were working, letting us use our claws, or in this case, the rough pads we had as animals, where plain humans were stuck with smooth, slippery skin.
Except Jackson clearly still refused to shift, or he wouldn’t be having issues. His were-form had longer arms, and his fingers wouldn’t have been slipping. I’d seen him control his shift to get work done before, so he was capable of it, but what the Purists had done to him had left more than physical scars.
He seemed to be in a good mood so I didn’t want to ruin it by asking about his therapy, and I wasn’t sure what I’d do if he responded any way other than he usually did, since my bear was trying to drag me out the door to Gwyn and wouldn’t put up with trying to soothe the other alpha, so I left it alone but made a mental note to ask Sebastian to check in with him soon. Sebastian and the Frosts felt responsible for what had happened since Jackson had been helping them when he was caught by the Purists, but they were trying to give Jax space since he’d made it clear he didn’t want them hovering. He didn’t want anyone mothering him, I just refused to let him completely withdraw since I knew what it could lead too.
I’d been there myself.
“Gwyn’s going into heat.”
Jackson’s brows shot up, giving me the same surprised look I was sure I was giving him since the words had slipped out without permission.
“Uh, cool? You gonna claim her?”
My shaft had already been wedged against my zipper all day, but his question had another surge of blood making it twitch painfully. Grimacing, I glanced away as I tried to come up with a reason for blurting out the news.
“No, she hasn’t asked for that. But we’re going to be distracted for a few days, and with the threat of the Purists looking for her, maybe you could keep an eye on the café?”
We had tried to avoid mentioning the Purists around him after his injuries, but he’d called us on it and demanded to be treated like a full member of the club or he would leave. None of us wanted to see him out on his own, so we’d stopped mincing words around him, but we still tended to avoid assigning him anything that might bring him into contact with the speciest group.
“Yeah, I can keep an eye on it. Anything specific I should watch for?”
I grimaced again before turning back to meet his gaze. He seemed calm, but I knew firsthand how what someone showed the world and how they felt inside could be wildly different.
“I’m not sure. Her son is tangled up with them and found her there, so I guess make sure no one is lingering or scoping the place out.”
Nodding, he grunted again before finally straightening and pulling his arm out of the engine. He grabbed a rag to wipe his hands before glancing at the clock and back at me.
“No problem. I guess I’m done for today. Wouldn’t want to keep you from your omega.”
I damn near purred at his words, warmth spreading in my chest at Gwyn being called mine, but I had to rein it in before my bear got the wrong idea.
“I’ll clean up. You can go ahead and go. And don’t stay out too late, you need a clear head for your appointment.”
His lip curled, but there was no growl like there had been the first few times I bothered him about the twice-weekly visits. I wasn’t sure anyone liked laying themselves bare to someone, but it was especially hard for an alpha with our inflated egos. It was good to see he was more accepting, and I hoped it was helping him.
It didn’t take long to double check that everything was put away and locked up, and I forced myself not to rush through it. I’d texted Gwyn a few times throughout the day, so I knew the window had been replaced and then she’d gone to the store. It had taken a lot not to tell her she shouldn’t go, and I’d ended up having to leave my phone in the office while I paced so I couldn’t send the message. Eventually I’d checked in to be sure she’d made it home, and she had, but she’d mentioned planning to go to The Hangout once David was there.
I trusted David just as much as any of the Knights, but knowing she was going to see another man still had my hackles rising. Beta or not, my bear didn’t like it, nor did he like that there might be others at the bar.
My fingers flew over the keypad of my phone as I walked to my bike, hoping she’d respond to my message saying she was home and waiting for me, but the growl I’d been containing finally slipped free when her message popped up on my screen.
I’m not home yet. There was a problem, so it might be a while before I get there.
The sound of my engine drowned out all other noise as I took off as soon as my ass hit the saddle. Too many traffic laws to keep count of were broken as I sped from Uptown back to Hell and my omega, ignoring every red light and indignant horn.
The blue and red lights were obvious from two blocks away, making my heart stutter as the raging inferno in my chest suddenly cooled with fear. The cops weren’t called unless something serious happened since we never knew whose payroll they were on, but I still released the breath I’d held when I spotted their cruisers and not an ambulance.
It took all my control not to roar into the parking lot of the café and demand to know what had happened, but I forced myself to slow to slightly more legal speeds and pull in carefully so I didn’t hit any of the crowd gathered outside The Hangout. Seeing some of the Knights helped ease more of the tension in my shoulders, but I wasn’t going to breathe easy until I knew Gwyn was okay.
Cutting the engine, I was off my bike and wading through the crowd in seconds, using elbows and growls freely to make my way toward where everyone was looking. I spared a glance toward the café but was distracted from seeing what was going on by the sight of Gwyn sitting on the edge of the sidewalk with David hovering over her. She clutched a mug in both hands, her head bowed over it so low her forehead almost rested on the rim.
“Are you okay?”
My voice was rough with the nearness of my bear, drawing the attention of those around me, but the only person who mattered was the one who looked like the world was resting on her shoulders. She startled when she heard me, lifting her head to meet my turbulent gaze, and David backed away as I covered the last few steps between us.
I was on my knees cupping her cheeks before she could do more than suck in a breath to respond. Checking the air for any hint of blood or fear, I only found her sweet pastry and peppermint scent, and the anger sparking deep in her chocolate eyes calmed my bear faster than anything else could have.
“I’m not hurt, but I’m not sure I’m okay.”
I knew it took a lot for her to admit it out loud since she tried to be so strong all the time, and pride swelled inside at the knowledge that she trusted me enough now to show weakness.
“What happened?”
The words were softer this time, the threat of shifting easing as each breath filled with her soothed my inner beast. Something was wrong, and I’d do whatever it took to fix it, but at least she was safe.
“They came for me, and they don’t approve of the company I’m keeping. I’m more upset over others seeing their vileness than what they did.”
My heart skipped a beat as I glanced back at the café, wondering what I’d missed. The building appeared whole, so they hadn’t torched it the way they had Sebastian’s shop a few months ago, but I knew how much the café meant to Gwyn.
She wouldn’t meet my gaze when I turned back to her, and David must have seen the confusion on my face when I looked up at him.
“It’s only words, and nothing worse than most of us hear daily. A bit of paint will take care of it. Luckily we caught them before they smashed the windows or did anything worse.”
Understanding bloomed and I stood to peer through the darkness. It was hard to see with the red and blue lights reflecting off the wall, but I could make out dark sweeps of paint where it had been fresh beige just the night before.
“What did they write?”
The growl was back, my bear pushing forward again as my anger grew. I had a feeling I could guess what the Purists would have slandered her with if they’d seen her with me, and the thought of Gwyn seeing her dream smeared like that had claws sprouting from my fingertips.
A soft hand landed on my arm, stopping me from stomping over to see past the patrol vehicles.
“Carl, it’s okay. Like David said, they’re just words, and we can paint over them. I’ll take care of it—”
Spinning around, I cut her off by pulling her against my chest, making sure I blocked her view in case the police moved. I knew she’d already seen whatever it was before I arrived, but I wasn’t going to let her be subject to it any longer.
“No. I’ll take care of it tonight. Their hate doesn’t deserve to be seen in the light of day.”
The way she trembled as she sucked in a breath told me how hard she was struggling to hold herself together. This poor woman who wanted nothing more than to give to others and provide a safe place for the community didn’t deserve the crap she’d been through.
“Carl—”
I cut her off again by placing my lips over hers, gently stroking the seam with my tongue until she opened for me. I deepened the kiss, demanding she focus on me and nothing else, until she softened in my hold and let out a quiet moan.
“Go home, pour yourself a drink, draw a hot bath, and soak until I get there. I’ll be as fast as I can.”
The Gwyn I’d met trying to drown her memories would have resisted, but the one in my arms only let out a sigh before nodding and pulling out of my arms.
“Don’t keep me waiting.”
I let a smirk lift my lips as she turned away, but it was just for show. Anger seethed beneath the surface, and it was a good thing the police were climbing into their vehicles and leaving as well, or I might have been tempted to take some of it out on them. I already knew nothing would come of Gwyn’s report, or them being here, because Hell was the blind spot of the city. The Slums were so bad they couldn’t be ignored, and the other areas had enough money to ensure they got attention, but we were nobodies who meant nothing.
I locked eyes with David, giving a subtle nod when he tipped his head towards Gwyn’s retreating form. I didn’t want to scare her by mentioning the ones who’d done the damage might be lingering nearby, but I wasn’t going to let her leave without someone keeping an eye on her until I could be there.
Most of the Knights were still lingering outside, looking at me as if awaiting orders, so I corralled the emotions surging through my chest and settled into my position.
“Patch, can you make sure she gets home safe and no one else comes by until I get there?”
His icy blue eyes seemed to glow as he nodded before melting into the shadows. No matter what happened, I knew Gwyn would be safe with him watching over her.
“Blake, Knox, Frank, we need a patrol. Spiral out from here and make sure they’re gone. Call others for help and check everywhere.”
The three I named turned and headed for their bikes, their strides showing they were just as furious as I. Another attack this deep in our territory looked bad on all of us, and while a bit of paint on a wall might not be much, it was still a blow.
Sighing, I ran a hand through my hair and finally faced what had been done to the café. My stomach churned as I read the words, and a new surge of determination flowed through me.
I didn’t care who was involved, or what it would take, but I was going to be sure the Purists forgot all about Gwyn if it was the last thing I did.
“Jason, Jackson, we’ve got some work to do. Go grab the sprayer.”