Page 70 of Sight of Fate

“If you get scared, or if he’s too much of an asshole, walk out,” I order, watching her take a deep breath and lift her chin.

Macklin gives Andros a pointed look as he leaves, silently warning him to curb his cutting tongue. The bastard lifts a single arrogant brow but promises nothing. I smile. He’s going to rue the day he didn’t get down on his damn knees and thank the Fates for sending him a mate.

Charli’s hand curls against her side, but her expression is calm as she enters. Andros watches her every step with a careful stillness that tells me everything. The last thing he wants to do is scare her.

Macklin clears his throat. “The fifth shifter’s name is Clive. Lawson’s going to personally hunt him down. Redeem his pack honor and all that.” His voice is tight. “I know why he joined Martin. It’s my fault. His girlfriend kept starting trouble. I warned her several times, but I ended up banishing her.”

I snort. “Clive always liked trouble, but he picked the wrong person to follow this time. Did you tell Lawson we want proof?”

He dips his chin. “His head.”

Lawson’s got a strong sense of right and wrong. Grew up the second son of an alpha. Had to leave when his brother inherited the pack leader role. Two alphas divides pack loyalty. Traveled around for a while until he landed here fifty years ago. Started the Crescent Mountain pack.

“What was Andros saying?” I tilt my head toward the twisted railing on the bed.

“When he got there, Martin had Charli bent over the back of her vehicle. Pants down. He tried to get to her, but their bullets slowed him down. He wasn’t sure if Martin had… I told him he hadn’t.” He wipes his haggard face. “He can’t get her look of terror out of his head.”

I told Macklin last night after Charli had gone to sleep. I knew he’d been thinking about it ever since she asked to take a shower. Neither of us can stop the gut-wrenching guilt we feel from not being here when she needed us most, or the pure relief that Martin didn’t force her.

“She goes nowhere without one of us,” I state adamantly and see the same determination on his set face. “I need to go into the office. Do you want me to take her with me, so you can stay here?”

“MacKenzie has two possible antidotes to try this afternoon,” he replies. “They’ll knock him out for a while. I’ll take Charli home, fix her lunch, and try to get her to rest.”

Chapter Thirty

TEAGUE

Vanilla notes tease my senses, and I inhale, loving the change to my office. Her scent is everywhere, soaking into my skin, making its own claim. I dart a glance at her desk. Putting her in here was the best decision. Before she came to Greystone, I’d arrive early, work through lunch, and stay late. There was little incentive to change my punishing schedule. Now we take breaks, share Macklin’s lunches, and I find myself looking up a million times a day to see her light green eyes narrowed in concentration or those pouty pink lips turned up in the sweetest of smiles.

Charli’s meticulous notes are sitting on my desk next to the pile that needs my immediate attention. I dive into the schematics first, then the contract. It takes several hours to work my way through everything that came up in the few days I was gone, but without her organization, I’d have been here for days, trying to figure out everything.

Finishing, I spot a familiar red envelope off to the right. Charli’s fingerprints. I exhale heavily. I forgot I asked Susan to run them. Running a finger across the top, and thinking about everything that’s happened since she arrived, I know I can’t open it. When she got here, she was completely closed off and afraid of the slightest touch, but I see the strides she’s made to embrace this new life. Even when things start to feel overwhelming, she quickly resets and moves forward.

My phone pings with a message from Macklin, telling me dinner is in thirty minutes. Picking up the red envelope, I shut off the lights and head out.

Charli’s sitting at the kitchen island when I walk in, Macklin peering over her shoulder as she methodically chops vegetables. “Like this?”

He lifts a noncommittal shoulder, and I nearly laugh. Macklin’s a control freak and hates anyone helping him with dinner. “Very precise. Why don’t you let me take over while you set the table?” His voice is soft, but I can tell he’s dying to take over.

She snorts and puts the knife down. “You’re not the least bit subtle.” Hopping off the bar stool, her breath catches when she sees me standing in the doorway. Fear flits across her face, but recognition dawns, and her shoulders drop with relief. “Teague. How was work? Did you see my notes?”

“And the prioritized file. Very thorough. Great job,” I tell her, and she beams. “Everything is done. In fact, we’re going to take the day off tomorrow.”

“Why?” she asks, bewildered, and I almost laugh.

“First, you have a date with Macklin to visit the bakery. Then we’re going to the hospital to test Andros’ reaction to you again. And in the afternoon, we’re going to do whatever you want. Movies, park, a hike…you name it,” I tell her.

She pulls her bottom lip between her teeth. “Andros didn’t react to me today, but he was fine the first few times I met him in the office. Before… How will we know for sure?”

“We’re going to use your blood,” I explain, setting down my stuff. Walking over to her, I gently pull on her lip with my thumb until she releases it. Then I lean down and brush my lips across hers. “MacKenzie called. Her antidote worked. Andros is already on the mend.”

She stares at my lips. “Did you just kiss me?”

“No,” I reply, my lips twitching. “Do you want me to kiss you?”

“But…” She stops and moves closer, looping her arms around my neck. “I’ve been wanting you to kiss me since our date.”

“What I wouldn’t give to kiss you right now, but I need to tell you something, and I’m not sure you’re going to like it,” I admit, steeling myself to confess.