or that. For some reason, that snarly part of her wanted to be near Keen and worked to push aside every objection she had.
Keen brushed strands of her hair from her face and tucked them behind her ear. His fingertips skimmed her cheek, callused skin abrading hers, but she didn’t want him to stop touching her. The scent of Craven’s blood hit her nose, but beneath it lurked Keen’s and she was okay with that.
Okay with his nearness, his touch, his decisions…
Stupid animal thing that trusted him and accepted that he could—would—defend her.
“Because I understand the laws of visitation and you know the textbook definition of purge. Because I think dealing with people like Craven is pretty standard for you and maybe I’d like to show you it doesn’t have to be.” He cupped her cheek and his tenderness nearly brought tears to her eyes. Nearly. “And worst case, I’ll take you wherever you want to go in the morning. For right now, give in and sleep.”
Rhinos stomped through her stomach, bringing along a good dose of panic and fear.
“I won’t be safe here, Keen.” She wheezed out the words.
“Yes, you will. You’ll be here as my guest.”
She snorted. “Of the bears? The ones who drove out an entire pack of hyenas? Which, by the way, I happen to be one.”
So was her mother. Kind of. Sorta, but not really.
“Trista?” His gaze remained focused on her while he caressed her cheek. “I’ll take care of you.”
She wanted to believe him so, so badly. For once in her life, she wanted to be able to lean on someone else. Just once…
Making a decision, she brushed aside his touch and straightened. She drew her emotions back into her body, hiding them. She’d try and believe in him, but she’d keep her heart locked away and out of reach. “I have to be out of Grayslake and at the gas station by eleven.”
He frowned, but nodded. “I’ll get you there. C’mon.”
C’mon. Like it was so easy to crawl from the SUV and follow a man toward the male who may have ordered her mother’s death.
Right.
Chapter Four
Keen kept his grip tight on Trista’s hand, twining their fingers together as he held her captive. He sensed her resistance, her desire to flee, but he couldn’t let that happen. Not when this simple touch of skin on skin soothed his bear like no other. How many women had he been through while searching for this sense of calm?
Too many to count.
Yet, with this simple connection, his bear was focused on protection and not destruction .
A novel experience for him.
He drew her closer to the clan den, his feet crunching over the pale gravel driveway. Eventually the rocks gave way to grass, the soft earth welcoming him, and then he stood before the steps leading to the home.
Steps that led to the porch which, in turn, led to Ty and Mia. Mia’s expression was open and welcoming with a touch of wariness. He couldn’t blame her for the emotions, her reaction to Trista.
Hyenas had ripped their lives apart, had been responsible for deaths and scarring wounds, but that wasn’t Trista’s doing.
“Ty, Mia.” He bared his neck and his bear snarled in protest. He was stronger, faster, and bigger than his older brother.
But they sure as shit didn’t want to be in charge. Which was why he showed Ty the deference due the clan’s Itan and kept a lid on his beast. Unless the fucker wanted to lead the Grayslake clan, it’d shut its trap. Reminded of that, the animal quieted pretty damned fast.
Ty narrowed his eyes, attention shifting between Keen and Trista before finally settling on Keen. He tilted his head toward Trista. “What’s she still doing in town? I purged Boyne Falls. I think it’s pretty obvious that I don’t want hyenas anywhere near here. Redby either. This part of Georgia is closed to them.”
Keen nodded. “Yes, if she were making her home in Boyne Falls, she’d be violating your decree. Since she’s not,” he shrugged, “she’s not. She’s abiding the laws
Keen brushed strands of her hair from her face and tucked them behind her ear. His fingertips skimmed her cheek, callused skin abrading hers, but she didn’t want him to stop touching her. The scent of Craven’s blood hit her nose, but beneath it lurked Keen’s and she was okay with that.
Okay with his nearness, his touch, his decisions…
Stupid animal thing that trusted him and accepted that he could—would—defend her.
“Because I understand the laws of visitation and you know the textbook definition of purge. Because I think dealing with people like Craven is pretty standard for you and maybe I’d like to show you it doesn’t have to be.” He cupped her cheek and his tenderness nearly brought tears to her eyes. Nearly. “And worst case, I’ll take you wherever you want to go in the morning. For right now, give in and sleep.”
Rhinos stomped through her stomach, bringing along a good dose of panic and fear.
“I won’t be safe here, Keen.” She wheezed out the words.
“Yes, you will. You’ll be here as my guest.”
She snorted. “Of the bears? The ones who drove out an entire pack of hyenas? Which, by the way, I happen to be one.”
So was her mother. Kind of. Sorta, but not really.
“Trista?” His gaze remained focused on her while he caressed her cheek. “I’ll take care of you.”
She wanted to believe him so, so badly. For once in her life, she wanted to be able to lean on someone else. Just once…
Making a decision, she brushed aside his touch and straightened. She drew her emotions back into her body, hiding them. She’d try and believe in him, but she’d keep her heart locked away and out of reach. “I have to be out of Grayslake and at the gas station by eleven.”
He frowned, but nodded. “I’ll get you there. C’mon.”
C’mon. Like it was so easy to crawl from the SUV and follow a man toward the male who may have ordered her mother’s death.
Right.
Chapter Four
Keen kept his grip tight on Trista’s hand, twining their fingers together as he held her captive. He sensed her resistance, her desire to flee, but he couldn’t let that happen. Not when this simple touch of skin on skin soothed his bear like no other. How many women had he been through while searching for this sense of calm?
Too many to count.
Yet, with this simple connection, his bear was focused on protection and not destruction .
A novel experience for him.
He drew her closer to the clan den, his feet crunching over the pale gravel driveway. Eventually the rocks gave way to grass, the soft earth welcoming him, and then he stood before the steps leading to the home.
Steps that led to the porch which, in turn, led to Ty and Mia. Mia’s expression was open and welcoming with a touch of wariness. He couldn’t blame her for the emotions, her reaction to Trista.
Hyenas had ripped their lives apart, had been responsible for deaths and scarring wounds, but that wasn’t Trista’s doing.
“Ty, Mia.” He bared his neck and his bear snarled in protest. He was stronger, faster, and bigger than his older brother.
But they sure as shit didn’t want to be in charge. Which was why he showed Ty the deference due the clan’s Itan and kept a lid on his beast. Unless the fucker wanted to lead the Grayslake clan, it’d shut its trap. Reminded of that, the animal quieted pretty damned fast.
Ty narrowed his eyes, attention shifting between Keen and Trista before finally settling on Keen. He tilted his head toward Trista. “What’s she still doing in town? I purged Boyne Falls. I think it’s pretty obvious that I don’t want hyenas anywhere near here. Redby either. This part of Georgia is closed to them.”
Keen nodded. “Yes, if she were making her home in Boyne Falls, she’d be violating your decree. Since she’s not,” he shrugged, “she’s not. She’s abiding the laws
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