Warrior (Relentless #4)(34)

Maxwell Kelly was a big, brawny man with graying reddish brown hair and beard who exuded authority. It was easy to see why he was the Alpha of the largest pack in the country.

“Thank you for helping my son and nephew, and Sara,” he said in a deep voice. “We are in your debt.”

A few of the other wolves grumbled, but a look from Maxwell silenced them. He turned back to me.

“We are not used to having your kind here. How long do you intend to stay in our territory?”

The underlying message in his question was clear. He would tolerate us because we had helped save the lives of his pups, but he didn’t like outsiders in his territory.

“I’ll stay as long as I need to be here. I respect your territory, but Sara is Mohiri and under my protection.”

Whispers and growls broke out around us. A low growl from Maxwell cut them off.

He gave me a hard stare then nodded. “Your people are in Portland as well?”

“Yes. We brought in a team to deal with the vampire problem there. And to provide backup in protecting Sara.” I shared what we had learned so far about the vampire activity in Portland.

“I’ll increase patrols here and send some of my wolves to Portland,” he said.

“Good. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll go back to Sara.”

One of the younger wolves spoke up. “You can stand guard out here. No need of you being in the house.”

Before I could reply, Judith said, “This is my home, and I decide who enters it. The warrior is welcome. If you have a problem with that, you can take it up with me.”

No one argued with her, and the pack left. Judith and I talked for a few minutes and exchanged phone numbers in case Maxwell or I needed to contact each other. Soon after, she retired for the night and I went back to my spot near the living room window.

A few times, Sara tossed fitfully and murmured in her sleep, but she settled down when I went to her and gently touched her face. She might not know about the bond, but even in sleep my touch soothed her.

It was in the hours before dawn when she finally stirred. Her sleepy voice broke the silence in the room. “Nikolas?”

“Go back to sleep,” I said softly.

Quiet settled over the room, and I thought she’d fallen asleep again. I turned back to the window.

“Don’t go,” she pleaded in a hoarse whisper.

Those two whispered words affected me as nothing ever had. My chest grew warm, and I swallowed past the strange tightness in my throat.

“I’m not going anywhere,” I promised. Ever.





Chapter 7





Sara was sleeping peacefully when I walked outside at dawn. I was reluctant to leave her, but she was safe here with the pack. It was clear they cared for her, and Judith had assured me last night they would protect her as if she was one of their own. The two large men stationed outside when we left were proof of that.

Chris was waiting when I quietly closed the door behind me. We didn’t speak as we pushed our bikes down the driveway to the road. Sara had had a rough night, and neither of us wanted to disturb her sleep. It wasn’t until we were a quarter of a mile from the house that we started the bikes and drove into town.

We found a small diner that was open for breakfast, and I sank heavily into a booth with a low groan. Physically, I was good. I’d pulled all-nighters more times than I could remember. My head was another matter.

In all my years as a warrior, nothing had ever gotten to me as much as last night had, and I felt wrung out. Seeing Sara in that mangled truck and knowing how close I had come to losing her had awakened emotions I’d never thought I could feel. Even now, the anger threatened to resurface every time I thought of her standing in the rain in her torn and bloody clothes.

“Two coffees,” Chris said, dragging me from my thoughts. I looked up to see a waitress walking away from our table.

Chris gave me a wry smile. “You remember the big quake in nineteen-oh-six?”

“How could I forget?” Chris and I had worked tirelessly for three days with a dozen other warriors, combing through the ruins of San Francisco for survivors and dispatching vampires who’d sought to take advantage of the disaster. Three days without food or sleep, but we’d rescued hundreds of people from the rubble.

“We looked like hell when that was over. That’s what you remind me of now.”

“I feel like hell.”

He stared at me long and hard. “You almost lost it last night.”

I nodded wearily. “I know.”

His fingers tapped on the table. “You know it’s only going to get worse. The next time you might not be able to control the rage.”

“I will. I have to.” The last thing I wanted was to frighten her.

“Maybe you should tell her the truth, so she’ll know what’s going on with you next time.”

I opened my mouth to argue, and he held up a hand.

“I watched the two of you last night at the party and after the attack. She might resent you for what you represent, but she trusts you. She asked for you when I went to tend to her injuries. She has to sense there is something between you, even if she doesn’t know what it is.”

“No, she’s not ready for that.” It warmed me to know Sara had asked for me, but it was too soon to tell her everything. She needed time to get to know me, and preferably in a situation where she didn’t fear for her life.