AllFreeNovel
Share Us
West winced. “Leave it to you to make me feel sorry for the guy.”
“I’m not saying he isn’t responsible for his choices now, but his perception has been twisted over time and compounded by fear.”
“Can’t say I’m surprised. Orson believed fear was the only way to rule. I never wanted to be that kind of leader.”
I offered him a small smile. “Achievement unlocked.”
“You scared the shit out of Jax. I guess you use fear to get what you want, too.”
His comment stunned me. “That was different.”
He slid into a chair at the table. “Was it?”
“It was self-defense,” I protested.
“They weren’t attacking you. It was me they wanted.”
I lapsed into astonished silence.
“I’m not criticizing you, Clay. I see what your intentions were. Identify the leader of the five and stun him into submission as a de-escalation technique. Congratulations, it worked.”
“Do you think they’ll be back?”
He studied the grain of the wooden table. “To be honest, I don’t know what I think these days. I suspect so. Orson has wanted to rid the world of me for a very long time. I don’t see Jax’s report putting him off.”
I planted myself across from him. “Then let me help.”
“I can handle it. I never should’ve let you get involved in the first place. This is my fight.”
“Why are you being so stubborn? I’m not some damsel in distress who’s going to get in the way. I’m a valuable asset. Use me.”
“I can’t.”
I resisted the urge to shake him. “Why not?”
“If for no other reason, Sullivan would draw and quarter me if anything happened to you on my behalf.”
I laughed. “You greatly overestimate his…”
West held up a hand. “You can stop right there. I’ve seen the way he looks at you. I wouldn’t have thought he was capable of feelings, but I’ve been wrong before, and I’ll be wrong again.”
“You’re wrong right now—to not let me help you.”
West raked his hand through his hair. “Trust has to be earned.”
“Why not give it freely unless you have a reason?”
His face hardened. “Because you end up with a dead family, that’s why.”
And now it made sense. West had trusted the alpha who murdered his family.
“Was Orson a family friend?” I prodded gently.
West averted his gaze. “We’re not in kindergarten, Clay, and this isn’t a sharing circle.”
“I told you my story. Do you have any idea how hard that was for me to share? My grandfather drilled into me, day in and day out, that I had to isolate myself to survive. That too much connection endangered my life and the lives of anyone close to me.”
“Sounds like he and I have that concern in common.”
