“No. I suppose I should.” It will be difficult to stop her from coming.
“Explain the situation. She won’t do anything to hurt Rylee.”
“I know. I’ll talk to her.”
“Good. I’ll let you get back to stalking,” she snorts.
“Promoting stalking, Mother? Shouldn’t you be lecturing me?”
“Please,” she says, laughing. “I couldn’t stop you if I tried. I want a daughter-in-law. Do what you have to do.”
“Night, Momma.”
“Goodnight, sweet boy.”
I recline the seat and get comfortable. My mom would do anything for me, but I don’t know how long she can stay in her beachside house when she knows Rylee is in my world. I know she wants my happiness, and if she thought she could help, she would be here tomorrow. Her understanding of abuse and what I do should hold her back.
Instead of calling Issy, I navigate to the information Shade sent me on Charlie. The day didn’t have time in it to look at what he found. I was hoping there was proof of something death-worthy. Instead, there is nothing concrete. He likes to date. Many don’t make it to the third date. They instinctively know he isn’t a good man. There is nothing that ties him to any crime. The place he works has protected him from any allegations. The women have never claimed he has gone past a few touches without permission. I’m glad he didn’t go further, but I wanted something I could kill him over. Maybe the women were too scared to come forward. Shade will keep digging for more, but I can’t act without more information. I want to concentrate on my mate and not an asshole man.
He won’t get anywhere near Rylee again.
“Hey, Foxy.” I lean against the doorframe, holding food containers, and checking out my gorgeous mate. She is wearing faded jeans and a white, long-sleeved shirt. Her hair is in a bun, strands hanging down, and it’s sexy as fuck. “Hungry?”
She smiles and motions me inside.
“Yes,” she laughs. I move toward her, kiss her briefly, and walk to the table. “Did you get more pancakes?” She locks the door and follows me.
“Of course.” I grin and empty the bags. “I was feeling biscuits and gravy.” I open the lids. “I decided to go with the theme and got sausage links. Hash browns go with everything, so I got two portions.” I set out water and coffee for both of us.
“You put a lot of thought into breakfast.”
“Just wait until supper.” I hold out her chair and wait until she is seated. “I’ll get silverware. Cutting the biscuits with plastic is annoying.”
“I can get it.” She starts to stand, and I cup her shoulder.
“Sit. I got it.” She sinks onto the seat. “How did you sleep?” I walk into the kitchen, and guess where I’ll find utensils.
“Soundly,” she says, and I find it on the second try. “How long did you stay in the parking lot?”
I lift my head and meet her eyes.
“A couple of hours,” I smirk and grab what I need. “How did you know?”
“I didn’t. I’ve been around newly mated shifters here.” She lifts a shoulder, and her shirt slides to the top of her arm. “It sounded like something they would do.”
I shake my head and go to the table.
“I needed to be close to you,” I say softly, and sit at the head of the table.
“Do you like your hotel room?” she asks, and I hand her a fork.
“It’s alright.” I place a napkin beside her.
“It’s a waste,” she says, and I look at her. “If you're going to sleep in front of the building, you're wasting money on a room. You should stay here tonight.”
“Just tonight?” I would move in immediately if she let me.
“No. We don’t have to talk about the details yet.” She bites her lip. “I want you here.”
