Midnight Moonrising (Moonrising #2)(49)

"You're wrong—"

"Nothing except immortality lasts forever, Mena." He paused, drew in a deep breath and then exhaled slowly. "Did you love Marc? When the two of you got married, did you really love him?"

I forced myself to hear him out because I was convinced I was right. I would give him the benefit of the doubt and let him plead his case, though. "Yes, I did love Marc when we got married, but he—"

"Let you down? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I am willing to bet that you fell out of love with him long before he cheated on you. The only constant in life is change. Two people don't always change in the same direction every time. They get separated for whatever reason and lose that connection, that bond. You were only with him for twelve years, Mena—twelve years. Imagine an eternity. Can you honestly say that you could love someone that long? I want you. I want you for as long as you'll let me have you, but I'm not a fool to think it would be forever, the kind of forever our kind have. That's why I can't love you. I don't want to become my father when you leave me," he finished quietly.

I could see why he was so anti-love, but I didn't know if I could be with him knowing he didn't love me back. No, I didn't love him—not yet—but it was bound to happen; our attraction to each other was so strong and the man made me feel things I never knew were possible. It was only a matter of time. And then where would I be? Heartbroken.

"I understand why you feel the way you do about love, Phoenix, but I'm not strong enough not to fall in love with you if we stay together. Too many cons and not enough pros."

He walked to me, and I didn't back away. My heart was already breaking for a love that would never happen.

"I hope that when you think about your future, you see me there with you. Love is just a word. I'm asking you to live and be happy, be strong. You are an Alpha, Mena. Love will only get in your way and cause you to make mistakes. Love will cause you to fail."

A knock came from the door, and I turned to look at it.

"Enter," Phoenix said, without taking his eyes from me.

Jaxon poked his head in. "The detective is here to pick up Mena. Shall I let him enter your chambers?"

"Yes, of course," Phoenix replied, and then took a small step back.

The door opened wider and Alex Rhodes walked into the room.





Chapter 28



Phoenix





Phoenix could feel the detective's eyes boring a hole in the side of his head, and knew very well how this particular scene appeared to him. After all, the guy was just so damn observant. The tangled sheets where Mena had slept, her in only a shirt and the fact that he was standing so close Rhodes wouldn't have been able to squeeze between their bodies without touching both of them was enough to give him good suspicion that something had happened—or was about to.

People assumed too damn much, Phoenix thought. But he wasn't about to set Rhode's mind at ease. He'd just let Mena's wolf explain that one.

"Good morning, Alex," Mena said. "I hope you slept well last night."

Alex exchanged a brief glance with Phoenix, but Mena was already sifting through her suitcase for something to wear for the day.

"I got in a few hours' rest. I'm ready for whatever," Alex said.

She turned to look at him, then at Phoenix, and raised her eyebrows, as if she knew the men in the room were keeping something from her. "Okay, well, I have a few things to take care of today. Marc's lawyer wants me to come in and sign some papers. Since I am his sole beneficiary, all his assets are now mine. I'm not quite sure what all that entails, since he was so secretive about his life. The insurance agent is supposed to meet with me this afternoon about Marc's life insurance policy. I don't know how long all that is going to take, and I don't expect you to be my chauffer, so if you'll take me to Enterprise, I'll rent a car and meet up with you for lunch as originally planned."


"I think it's important for Alex to stay with you, Mena," Phoenix said. "At least until Katie's killer is caught."

"I don't need a babysitter—"

"No, you need a bodyguard—"

"Alex has a full-time job, Phoenix. You can't expect him to put everything on hold just to protect me."

Phoenix's jaw clenched. "I can expect that, Mena, and I do. We've already had this discussion—"

"There are others who can help. Daryn has already texted me twice this morning. I'll call him—"

"You will not call Daryn. I don't trust him."

She laughed. "Well, I do. He isn't part of your detail, so you—"

"Until this psycho is dead, you won't go anywhere without Alex, Jaxon, Roel, Brad, Heath or myself. I don't care who you trust. Your safety is what is most important to me, and I don't trust anyone except for myself to protect you. Since I can't be with you twenty-four-seven, I do realize I need to expand a bit, but that short list is as far as I'm stretching. Deal with it or I will chain you up and keep you here with me until the case is solved."

Silver briefly flashed in her eyes, and Phoenix knew he was no longer talking to Mena.

"Fine," she said. "I'll stay with Alex. I'm sure we can find something fun to do after my meetings, but there's no real reason for him to be there during them. I doubt anyone would attack me in a public place. Be realistic, Phoenix. I'll just have the insurance agent meet me there and I'll call Alex and have him pick me up after we've finished. That way Alex can take care of any business he needs to without having me in his way."