Page 18 of Wraith’s Betrayal

"What did you⁠—"

"Does it matter?" He moved into the apartment, closing the distance between us. "He's gone. He understands that coming near you again would be... inadvisable. That's all you need to know."

"You're safe now," he said quietly. "I need you to understand that. Whatever Derek was to you before, he's nothing now. Just a bad memory that won't be bothering you again."

"How can you be sure?"

"Because Viper made it very clear what would happen if he tried. And trust me, Derek believed him."

I thought about asking for details, then decided I didn't want to know. The relief of being free, of knowing Derek wouldn't appear around every corner, was enough.

"Thank you."

"Don't." His thumb stroked over my knuckles. "This is what we do. Protect our own."

"I'm not⁠—"

"You are." The intensity in his voice stopped my protest. "You became ours the minute you walked into that clubhouse. Became mine even if I can't..."

He trailed off, jaw clenching.

"Can't what?"

"Can't act on it. Can't take what I want. Can't betray Blade." He released my hand, stepping back. "But I'll always protect you. That's not negotiable."

Before I could respond, his phone rang. Blade's ringtone.

"Yeah?" Wraith answered, expression carefully neutral. "No, everything's fine. The Derek situation? Already handled... Viper will fill you in... She's here, safe... Yeah, I'll tell her."

He hung up. "Your brother's coming over. Wants to make sure you're okay."

"What do I tell him?"

"The truth. Most of it anyway." His gaze held mine. "Everything except how badly I want to put my mouth on you right now. How this whole thing with Derek made me realize I'd kill anyone who tried to hurt you. How I'm about ten seconds from saying fuck the consequences and taking what we both want."

"Wraith—"

"Get ready for Blade." He moved toward his room. "I need a shower. A cold one. Maybe I'll finally get the image of you against my wall out of my head."

He disappeared into his room, leaving me standing there, body humming with want and frustration and the sweet relief of safety.

Derek was gone. The threat was over.

But the tension between Wraith and me? That was just beginning to burn.

And we both knew it was only a matter of time before it consumed everything in its path—including my brother's trust.

CHAPTER 5

WRAITH

Something was wrong.

I'd been at the clubhouse for two hours, dealing with transport schedules and legitimate business that couldn't wait. Phoenix and Tank had reported Derek leaving the Mountain View Inn earlier, supposedly heading for the airport after our conversation. The one where Viper made it crystal clear what would happen if he bothered Raven again.

But my gut churned as I approached my building. That same instinct that had saved my ass in Afghanistan now screamed danger.

I took the stairs silent and fast, hand moving to the piece at my back. The hallway was empty, my apartment door closed but not quite latched.