Page 119 of Red

“I’m good. It’s just that I didn’t know he wrote any more letters.” And they want to hunt me. I open it up and read the words again. He lowers next to me, and I lean against his shoulder.

“The guy went all-out making a space for you and now you’re mated. I thought he was one of those werewolves who would be alone forever.”

I rub my wet eyes and adjust my cap. “Why would you say that?”

“No one else is going to put up with his Starkness, and he’s never seemed interested in getting to know anyone. Nikki tried . . . hard.”

I eye him. “His house is full of people.”

“That’s different. You’ll find out one day.”

I tilt my head back to his shoulder and close my eyes. Pratt’s words run through my mind. Show her true self. When is trust enough? I didn’t have to show myself to Pratt and Mom.

The door slams, and I jolt awake. My back straightens against the bookshelf, heart pounding. Beside me, Jocko startles, and we both scramble to our feet.

“Something you two want to tell me?” Stark’s voice drops, and I roll my eyes.

I go to grab the letters on the ground, but Stark’s hand beats me to it. Then he turns and pins Jocko to the bookshelf by his neck.

“Hey.” I get up and shove Stark with no success.

He growls at his best friend. “You had no right to give her these.”

“Wait.” Jocko looks over at me, pulling on Stark’s arm.

“He didn’t. I found them.”

Stark tosses Jocko over to the side. “Get the fuck out.”

Fucking Starkness. I giggle when the door closes.

“Why are you laughing?” Stark heaves, but the anger in his eyes disappears.

“I’m not.” I cover my face and try to stop.

“Want to tell me why you’re snooping through my desk?”

“Technically, you told me anything that’s yours is mine.” I poke him in the chest with my finger.

“Fine. But I’d rather not find you cuddling my best friend.”

“Stark.” I grab his free hand and lift it to my waist. “We weren’t cuddling. He came in when I was reading them, and I was crying. He sat down beside me, and I closed my eyes. I didn’t realize we fell asleep until you came in.”

That muscular hand flexes against my shirt. “Why were you crying?”

“I read the letters.”

He places the them down on the desk behind him and pulls me in to his arms. “I wanted to show you them, when I knew you trusted me.”

“I told you I do.” I tuck into his abs as his fingers trail through the ends of my hair.

“Red, when you stop looking at me like I might change my mind and hurt you, I’ll know you trust me.”

“I want to,” I whisper.

“I know.”

I push back. “You don’t trust me sitting in a room with your best friend.”