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“But you’d tell me if I wanted to know.”
My jaw worked for a second, but I gave her a short nod. “I would.”
“You don’t want this for me,” She stated, starting to understand my new reluctance.
“This place is dangerous for you, more so than anyone else. At least the way things stand right now.”
“There’s something else you can do to protect me,” she persisted, surprising me that she would pursue the dangerous topic. “But you don’t want to do it.”
“You’re clever,” I grunted, intentionally sidestepping her statement. “Which only makes all of this harder, but yes, there’s more to this. I could explain, but – ”
“It’s okay,” she stopped me, owning her decision not to know. “I trust you.”
“You should go inside now,” I said roughly. I handed her backpack to her and she glanced at it in surprise. After everything that happened, it was hard to remember school had let out only a couple of hours before.
“I have homework,” she muttered, the words a reminder that the world didn’t stop for us.
“You should go do it.”
She glanced at me in concern, her eyes betraying her worry, and, for once, I managed a gentle smile.
“I’ll be fine,” I promised, standing still as she backed away from me and everything that had happened. I remained standing there until she’d went inside then headed to find Trent.
***
“What happened?” He sniffed the air, catching a whiff of Hanley and growling. “Bastards. They came after you again?” I could see him bristle, ready to go pound them into the ground and I shook my head.
“They’re dead.”
He blinked, waiting for me to explain.
“They attacked Jess on the way home. I barely got there in time,” I admitted, unable to shake the memory of her on the ground at Justin’s mercy. “Maybe….maybe she should go. Leave here.”
“You don’t believe that,” he dismissed, bumping my shoulder. “You’ll keep her safe. So will I.”
“It’s not enough,” I muttered. “I risked Caleb’s life to save Jess.” He whistled, clearly surprised. “I chose Jess over him. I protected her first.” I shook my head, looking down at my clenched fists. “The Alpha will have my head when he finds out.”
“Caleb’s alright?” Trent verified and I nodded. “It’s not all bad then. Anyone would have made the same choice. Jess couldn’t protect herself.”
“Jess isn’t Pack.” The words physically pained me because they felt like a lie.
“Navarre Pack,” Trent said slowly. “She may not be Navarre Pack, but she’s definitely Pack.” I exhaled at the truth in his statement, a truth I’d been fighting.
“Thank you,” I said, my voice heavy with gratitude. “For risking your life for her, and for saving mine.”
He ducked his head, shaking it softly. “My pleasure.”
“We’re even then,” I mused, scratching my arm absently. “A life for a life.”
He laughed until he realized I was serious. “We are nowhere close to being even,” he answered, the smile on his mouth not matching the intensity of his words. “You’ve saved my life more times than I care to count. We are never going to be even.”
I studied him before saying carefully, “You don’t have to stay you know.” I gestured to the surrounding forest. “It’s going to get worse.”
“You trying to get rid of me?” He asked, squinting one eye at me.
“No, but I don’t want you to stay out of a sense of obligation,” I replied, startled by his assumption.
He snorted. “You don’t see it.”
“No,” I drawled, shaking my head. “I don’t think I do.”
“I stay because leaving was never an option. Not for me. You inspire loyalty, Dom. You don’t see it but others do. We stay because we want to, not because we have to.”
“What’s all this we business?” I joked uncomfortably, rubbing my neck. “All I see is you.”
“And Jess.”
“She….I don’t know.”
“She’s not leaving.”
“You sound awfully confident.”
He shrugged. “I recognize the signs.” He flicked a stick into the darkness. “That’s two and then you’ve got Caleb.”
“He’s loyal to the Pack,” I said immediately and Trent nodded slowly.
“He is, but he’s also loyal to you and that has nothing to do with the Navarre Pack.” He pointed another stick at me. “I bet if I met any other members of the Pack, they’d feel the same.”
I gave him a doubtful stare and stood up, my thoughts churning. “I’m gonna go face the music,” I muttered. “Keep her safe.”
“Will do,” he answered with a salute. “If you need me….” I nodded, even though I knew I wouldn’t ask him. If he came onto Pack lands to help me, he’d be signing his own death warrant.
“Keep her safe,” I reiterated, not missing the worry in his eyes. “I’ll be fine.”
He popped a sucker in his mouth, mumbling, “Famous last words.”
Chapter Fourteen
Silence met me as I walked into the community, the stillness eerie as I strode straight to the Pack House. Everyone would have gathered there when Caleb came home, eager for information. It was also where I would be judged for my actions.
