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She sighed, resigned. “I’ll call Vinnie later. I’ll tell him what happened.”
“Good.” Alex pinned her gaze with his. “From this day forward, if someone even threatens to hurt you in any way, you tell me. No more secrets, Bree.”
“No more secrets,” she agreed.
Satisfied, he gave a curt nod and combed his fingers through her hair, stretching out the chestnut strands, loving how silky-soft they were. “You fully packed?”
“Not yet.”
“I’ll help you get your stuff together. Then we’ll leave.” He wanted her gone from this place. He didn’t feel that she was safe here. And he knew she didn’t feel safe here either. He hated that. It was her home, a home she loved. It had already been tainted by the break-in. The polar bear attack had no doubt made that ten times worse.
“Whoever was in those woods told me …” She closed her eyes for a second. “Paxton told me to stay away from you.”
Alex felt a growl vibrate his chest. “He’s not going to get what he wants.”
“He won’t like that I’ll be staying with you.”
“Tough fucking shit.” He bunched her hair in his hand. “I’m not going to let him come between us. You’re not his. You never really were. And now you’re all mine. He can deal with it, or he can deal with me. One or the other. But he doesn’t get to dictate what you do. He doesn’t get to fuck with your head or emotions—I won’t allow it. Got me?”
She swallowed. “I got you.”
“Good.” He released her hair. “Let’s pack your shit.”
Bree tried to ignore the way their pride mates stared. Was she surprised that they appeared utterly staggered by the sight of the feminine suitcase he was wheeling down the street or the backpack he’d slung over his shoulder? No.
Some of their pride mates seemed pleasantly surprised. Others looked concerned, as if they thought the relationship was destined to end in flames.
Thankfully, the Cages weren’t nearby. They would have freaked. Then yet another public scene would have occurred. Bree had had enough of those to last her a lifetime.
As much as it hurt to leave her home, she knew it was the best decision. She just hoped he wouldn’t find it too difficult to share his personal space with someone—it wasn’t as simple as it sounded. Especially for a guy like Alex, who relished alone time.
Finally at his apartment complex, he punched in the code on the keypad. The front door unlocked with a loud buzz. He pulled it open, gestured for her to enter first, and then walked in. A quick elevator ride later, they reached his floor and he led her to his apartment.
Inside, Bree glanced around, taking in the contemporary, masculine décor. “I like it.” Following him to the bedroom, she watched him carefully, looking for signs that he felt uncomfortable having her in his private sanctum. He didn’t seem whatsoever tense. In fact, he seemed … smug. Settled.
Propping her suitcase near the wall, he turned to her. Whatever he saw on her face made his brow briefly pucker. “What?”
She set her purse on top of his dresser. “I’m just wondering if you’re definitely okay with me moving in here for a while.”
He moved to her. “I look uncertain to you?”
“No, but it’s important to me that my being here, taking up your space, doesn’t make you feel uncomfortable.”
“It doesn’t. I’m sort of partial to you. Sometimes. Depending on my mood. And whether you’re naked.”
Her mouth curved. “My heart can’t take these loving declarations of yours.”
He kissed one corner of her mouth. “You hungry?”
“No.” Her stomach was still in knots.
He kissed the other corner of her mouth. “Tired?”
“No.” Catching sight of an almost completely faded bullet wound on the edge of his neck, Bree touched it with her finger, wishing she could take it away. “That bitch. I’m glad your beast ripped her apart. She just kept on shooting, and I couldn’t do anything.” She’d never felt so damn helpless.
She bit down on her lip. “Can I officially meet your beast? I want to thank him for what he did today.”
Alex’s eyes went all soft and languid. “No thanks are necessary but, yeah, of course you can meet him. He’s wanted a one-to-one with you for a while now.”
She watched as Alex quickly shed his clothes, revealing all that honed muscle and bitable olive skin. Yeah, she’d be leaving a mark or two on that later.
“He can be pushy and bossy, but I swear he won’t hurt you. He’d never do that.” And then Alex shifted, and his stocky beast did a languid stretch.
She smiled as small, dark, perceptive eyes met hers. “Hey, there,” she said, sitting on her haunches. One of his huge webbed paws landed on her thigh, but those impressive claws didn’t so much as abrade the skin. “Wow, you’re bigger than I remember.”
