Page 40 of Healer’s Betrayal

“Pretty sure you did. Now what’s wrong with you? Why are you so amped up? I thought spending time with Kayla would help—” A fierce growl erupts at the name of my mate on his tongue. He puts both hands up. “What’s the deal with you? You know I’m no threat to her.”

I can’t even look at the building behind me. “Head up to her apartment, drop off the stuff, and keep watch.” I pin him with a look. “Do not go into her apartment unless it’s an absolute emergency.”

Ransom scowls at me. “Stop being an idiot. You know I’m not going into her apartment without you.” A rumble comes from low in my chest, and he frowns at me. “Go for a run, Jackson; come back when you’re not going to tear my heart out for just mentioning her name.” I don’t wait for him to say anything else. I stride across the parking lot and over to the trees that will lead to a deeper set of woods I discovered the day I found out Kayla and Noah lived here. My wolf anticipates the run, and I barely keep him controlled. He’s been straining against me for the past few hours, and I’m tired of fighting him. Knowing I need clothes when I get back, I strip when I’m deep enough into the woods and put my clothes in a pile before giving the reins to my wolf. He takes off, and I take a backseat. I stay alert though, in case he tries to head back to our mate, but he seems to understand that’s a bad idea right now. I’m not sure how long we run, but the moon is high in the sky by the time we finally get back to my clothes. I dress and reach out to Ransom.

Everything good? I ask, even though I know it is. He would have reached out to me if it wasn’t. I get to the edge of the trees and step back into the parking lot, sticking to the shadows for a moment while I scope out the lot. I take in the two men at the far end of the lot, clocking everything about them instantly. I know right away, they’re not good men. I stride towards the front door, needing to get closer to Kayla and Noah, so I know they’re safe. I take the stairs two at a time and get to the third floor quickly. Ransom stands at the top, obviously knowing I was coming. I take in the scowl on his face. “Talk,” I demand.

“They’re both fine,” he says first. That does little to ease the tension building inside me.

“What’s the scowl for?” I demand.

“Their apartment.”

I hold him against the wall a moment later with my arm against his throat. “You went into her apartment.” My words are barely audible over my growl. Ransom doesn’t fight against me. Smart man.

“I didn’t go inside,” he says calmly. “I saw inside when I handed her the milk, creamers, and coffee. By the way, four creamers is a little excessive, don’t you think?” I growl at him, and he smirks. “Her words, not mine.” That eases the mounting tension inside me at least a little.

I stare him down. “You didn’t go inside.”

“No.”

I force myself to release him, and he cracks his neck. “You have issues.” I don’t bother denying it; it’s true. I walk over to her door and sniff. I catch a whiff of her scent and Noah’s, and it calms the beast inside me enough that I don’t shift, at least.

“Are you going to get them out of here?” Ransom asks. There’s no censure in his voice, only a question.

“She doesn’t trust me enough yet.”

He nods, unsurprised. “It will take some time.”

I don’t like his words, but I stay quiet on the matter. “You can leave now.”

He chuckles and walks over to the stairs. “Don’t forget that you do have to sleep some time.” Without another word, he jogs down the stairs. I hear him get to the bottom and open the front door.

Thank you, I send to him through our link. For the milk and creamer and for keeping them safe.

I may like seeing you riled up, but she’s your mate. I would protect her with my life, both of them.

My chest tightens uncomfortably. That’s my job. I pause a moment and then send, I know that. Thank you.

We don’t communicate after that, and I settle on the floor outside their door. It’s far from comfortable, but I’m not moving from this spot. There are so many shady people in this building. It’s sad that nobody even gives me a second glance. It tells a person what kind of things take place in this building if nobody thinks twice about a guy camped outside of somebody’s door all night. I force myself to leave once people are up and about. I head out to my truck, stretching stiff muscles along the way. Ransom stands next to my truck. “Mornin’,” he calls out when I get close. I just nod at him. He smirks and hands me a cup. I take a long drink of the strong coffee.

“Thank you,” I tell him.

“You’re welcome.”

“You good to stay here?”

He nods. “You know I could have just picked up a coffee for her.”

“I want to.” With that, I climb into my truck and start it up and roll down the window. “I’ll be back in a few.”

I head back to the coffee shop I stopped at the other day and head inside. I find the girl that took my order the other day. “Good morning,” she calls out brightly. I resist the urge to growl at her; I’m not sure why everybody is always so chipper in the morning.

“I need the drink you made the other day.”

Her eyes widen. “Oh. Okay. Um, do you remember what it is?”

I resist the urge to growl...again and look at the board, as if that will help. “It was an iced coffee.”