Page 127 of Poet & Protector

I did have a dozen or more messages from Ansel. A mix of the usual snippets of conversation had become a string of increasingly worried questions.

Ansel: Where are you?

Ansel: Did you already go to meet Nev? It’s so early.

Ansel: Mason?

Ansel: Nev doesn’t know where you are either. Are you okay?

Ansel: Where are you?

Ansel: PLEASE ANSWER

I also had two messages from Nev.

Nev: Ansel keeps messaging me. Are you ignoring him for a reason?

The second message had arrived about thirty minutes later after another long string of questions from Ansel.

Nev: Now I’m worried. Where are you?

I ground my teeth.

“Everything all right?” Logan asked.

“Ansel’s worked himself up,” I told him. “He’s a worrier. I usually message him back right away.”

“How sweet,” Logan remarked with a somewhat derisive chuckle.

My reply was defensive as I started to tap out a response on my phone. “He has a big heart.”

“Then Bryn is a lucky girl.”

My eyes flew up to meet Logan’s at the none-too-subtle reminder that he knew about Ansel and Bryn and was the one who controlled their future.

“She is.” I shifted my attention back to my phone and finished my message to Ansel.

Me: I’m okay. Can’t talk now. I’ll see you tomorrow.

He replied instantly.

Ansel: WTF is going on? Where are you????

I bit back a sigh.

Me: Tomorrow.

As quickly as I could, knowing Logan would have little patience if I stayed on my phone, I sent a message to Nev.

Me: Can’t meet you tonight. Will explain tomorrow. I promise I’m okay.

I silenced my phone and put it away so I wouldn’t know when he replied and be tempted to message him again.

“All taken care of?” Logan asked. “No more worried packmates?”

There was a slight edge to his question and I decided to take a risk.

“It should be fine now,” I said, then after a moment added, “Logan, you get that we take care of each other, right?”