“Is that all he said?” Sloan asked, watching Blaze closely. He knew all his Warriors almost as well as he knew himself and Blaze on the edge. Yeah, welcome to the fucking club, Sloan snorted to himself. He had been on the edge for months.
“He said he was there to warn her,” Blaze said, his eyes still narrowed in anger.
“You going to kill him for that?” Sloan cocked an eyebrow, watching Blaze closely.
Blaze didn’t answer right away, as if seriously considering it. “He didn’t hurt her, so maybe he will live. But he approached her after I warned him not to. That definitely deserves a brutal ass kicking. It really fucked with her.” His jaw tightened. “He also told her he’s joining the Kentucky Dark Guardians. Did you know anything about that?”
“No, but talk to Charger. He knows more than I do with the dealing of the Guardians. He can get the information and let them know what kind of asshole they took on.” Sloan ran a hand over his face. Jesus, could they not catch a fucking break? “I’ll have Duncan do some recon and find out who’s trying to bring the Iron Drakes back.”
“Appreciate that,” Blaze nodded.
“I’m sure you already planned on it, but make sure Katrina isn’t left alone. If you need time off, let me know. I’ll get your shifts covered.” Sloan knew they were spread thin as it was, but he now understood what it meant to have a mate. If they were in danger, then everything else was on hold. “How’s she taking all this?”
“Not good.” Blaze frowned, shaking his head. “Her past really fucks with her.”
“She definitely didn’t have the life someone like her deserves.” Sloan released a tired sigh. “If they’re trying to rebuild, we’ll put a stop to it.”
“Yes, I will,” Blaze replied, his gaze shifting toward the stairs.
Sloan followed his stare. “I have a feeling they’re going to be a while.” He headed toward the kitchen. “Come on. I could use a beer, and I’m sure you could too.”
“Definitely.” Blaze followed him and took the beer Sloan pulled from the refrigerator.
Both men drank in silence, their thoughts on the women who owned their worlds. Blaze knew where his danger was coming from.
Sloan didn’t.
All he had was the fear Becky couldn’t hide and the certainty that someone had put it there. Whoever it was had already made their first and most likely their last mistake by involving his mate.
CHAPTER 10
Becky sat on the toilet seat, staring at the pregnancy test across the room on the counter. She knew more than five minutes had passed, but she couldn’t bring herself to stand, walk across the cold tile floor, and see what she already knew. A light knock on the door had her eyes leaving the test to look that way.
“Becky?” Katrina’s voice was low. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” Becky’s voice croaked, then she cleared it. “Come in.”
Katrina walked in, her eyes going from Becky to the test sitting on the counter, then back again.
“I can’t.” Becky shook her head as the lump in her throat grew.
“Can I ask you a personal question?” Katrina didn’t approach, but closed the door and leaned against it.
“Yes,” Becky replied, having no idea where this was going.
“What if you are pregnant?” Katrina asked, her eyes watching her closely as if ready to detect a lie. “No matter the how or why.No matter what anyone is going to think. No matter what Sloan feels about it. How areyougoing to feel?”
Surprised by the question, Becky glanced away from her and back to the test. “Scared. Confused,” she replied after a long moment. “But I would love the child and protect him or her with my life.”
“Then that’s all that matters, Becky.” Katrina gave her a small half smile. “Now, do you want me to leave so you can do this yourself, or do you want me to stay? The answer that matters most right now is there on that counter waiting for you. That is in your control, no one else’s.”
Becky wanted nothing more than to hug Katrina at that very moment. She was so young and yet wiser than Becky herself was right now. Becky had never in her life been this lost, but Katrina was absolutely right. She was in control of this, and she really needed to feel that.
Glancing down at her ring, she frowned. She had kept so much from Sloan these last few months, and the guilt was eating her alive. This wasn’t fair to him. Not at all. Slowly, she looked up from her ring to Katrina. “I need to talk to Sloan.”
Katrina gave her a small smile and nod, then walked over and hugged her. “I really think that is for the best. That man loves you, Becky.” She pulled away. “Call me if you need anything at all. Okay?”
“I will.” Becky grabbed her arm before Katrina walked away. “And Katrina, thank you.”
