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“I didn’t want to get pulled over,” I explained. “It would have ruined me rescuing myself.”
“You’re making a mistake,” she said, refusing to make eye contact as she glared out the window. “You’ve never listened to me and now you’re making the mistake of a lifetime.”
“That’s where you’re wrong, Mother. I did listen to you. For years.” I gave up looking at her through the rearview mirror, instead focusing on the road. “The difference is this is my mistake to make. My choice. My decision.” I sighed. “You’ve done your job. You told me your reasons why, and now you need to trust me to make the right decision for me, even if it’s not the one you would make.”
She scowled, her expression set as she glared at the thick wall of trees rushing past the window. After a minute, she swallowed, licking dry lips as she whispered, “I don’t trust them.”
“Then trust me, Mom,” I answered, my voice thick. “Have my back, be my champion in a dangerous world, don’t run, fight.”
We rode in silence after that, both consumed by our own thoughts, mine becoming increasingly violent as the bond link remained silent.
I parked the car in the motel lot right before sunset, leaving Mom in the backseat as I stormed into the apartment.
“Bunny,” Dad cried in relief, spotting me instantly as Monster ran up to me, throwing his arms around my waist.
“He better be dead,” I muttered in a low voice, causing Dad to rear back as he heard my need for blood. I squeezed Monster until he squeaked, wiggling for me to let go.
“He’s not dead,” Dad assured me. “He may wish he were when he wakes up, but he’s not dead.”
“Wakes up?” I repeated in disbelief. “WAKES UP? He’s fucking sleeping? Do you know how many times I tried to reach him through that damn bond and he’s sleeping?”
“Well,” Dad said in wheedling tone and my eyes narrowed as I crossed my arms.
“What did you do?”
“I might have got him drunk,” he confessed in a rush.
“Drunk? You got my mate drunk while I was essentially kidnapped? What the fuck, Dad?”
“In all fairness, I waited until I knew you were safe,” he claimed, holding his hands up.
“I’m safe now. As it is right now,” I pointed to the floor. “In your presence, back home. Any time before now was an unknown, because I couldn’t contact Dom,” I finished between gritted teeth.
“You may have a point,” he conceded, lowering his hands. “However, you now have my blessing to be with him. I think he’ll be good for you. Also, he’s a happy drunk,” Dad added, nodding like that made a damn difference. Monster had steadily been backing away as we spoke, not ready to be in the crossfire of my anger.
“And where is the happy drunk?” I asked dangerously and Dad pointed to the couch. I started for it, not sure if I was going to hug the big bastard or hit him.
“Where’s your Mom?” Dad inquired delicately.
“In the car, trussed up like a Thanksgiving turkey,” I tossed over my shoulder as I stared down at my mate, curled up on a couch that was at least two feet too short for his larger than average frame.
“What should I do with her?”
“I don’t care. Call the sheriff and have him deal with her,” I said with a dismissive wave of my hand. “Maybe a night in jail will help her see things my way.”
“Okay, I’ll just go check on her.” I heard the door open and close behind me as he left the room. My irritation with Dom grew as I watched him sleep, not disturbed in the least by my absence.
I reached down, not sure what I intended, maybe a sharp pinch under his armpit, but the second my hand touched him, he murmured, “Jess,” and my anger melted.
“I’m such a fucking softie,” I muttered, climbing over the edge of the couch and dropping on top of him. He grunted at my weight, but didn’t wake up and I wondered how drunk my father had gotten him as I snuggled into his side. His arms came around me, cocooning me, and the exhaustion of driving for over sixteen hours straight caught up with me and my eyes drifted shut.
“I’m still mad at you,” I grumbled as I gave into the need to sleep.
Chapter Thirteen
Jess
“You’re a lightweight,” I heard when I woke up, the words laced with amusement.
“I don’t know what the hell he gave me,” Dom grumbled under me, his chest rumbling. “Some concoction guaranteed to set me on my ass.”
“I don’t know, man,” the voice replied, as I finally recognized it as Trent. “I’ve tried his concoction a few times and never been laid out for hours.” He let out a low laugh. “Think that makes you a lightweight.”
