Page 18 of The Tracker's Secret

“Um,” I hugged myself, feeling self-conscious, “yeah, I’m perfectly all right. Why?”

“I don’t know.” He paused. “You seem... different.”

Crap!Was he smelling my wolf? I turned my head to the side and surreptitiously tried to smell myself, but I couldn’t tell any difference.

“Maybe it’s the... healing magic they used at the hospital,” I said, quick on my toes.

He considered, frowning. “Yeah, maybe.” He didn’t sound convinced, but it was better than nothing.

God, I needed a way to keep this a secret from him. I wasn’t ready for anyone to know what I was—not even Rosalina. Though with her, I didn’t really have a choice. I couldn’t lie to my business partner and roommate. That would be all kinds of wrong.

He shook his head. “Anyway, that mage, he works for Ulfen.”

“We know. Stephen never got a good look at him in the restaurant, but he recognized him as soon as Tom showed him a picture of him. He asked Stephen if he thought his father had sent the mage. Stephen wasn’t happy about that. He stormed out. Didn’t you see him leave?”

“I didn’t. I went inside to use the restroom. He must’ve left when I was in there. Shit, this is bad. Clearly, he’s not safe.”

“No. Maybe he should leave St. Louis again.”

“That’s not going to happen. He’s bent on staying.”

“Then he’s staying at his own risk.”

Jake held my gaze for a long moment, without saying anything. My skin tingled as if his eyes had the power of touch and were caressing me as they roved over me.

“Well, I should...” I took a step toward Rosalina’s car, but Jake put a hand on my waist and held me in place.

If his gaze had awakened my body, his actual touch immediately made me catch on fire. Heat rose up my neck and into my face. He moved closer still, his silver gaze like a tether that kept me immobile.

“I had to restrain myself not to rip that mage’s throat out,” he said.

“Um, I’m glad you did. That would have landed you in a prison cell.”

“When I ran into the restaurant and saw you... injured, I almost lost it.”

My chest went so tight with a host of confusing emotions that I was unable to say anything. What was this? He’d told me why he couldn’t be with me, and now he was... doing what?

“If anything were to happen to you—”

I stepped backward, away from his touch, from his words. “What are you doing?”

He appeared at a loss for an instant, then he lowered his eyes, embarrassed. “I’m sorry.” His fists clenched, his embarrassment morphing into frustration. “This isn’t easy for me, Toni.”

“Then stop making it harder.”

“You’re right. You’re right.” He paused, then went on, his manner growing detached. “I’m glad you’re safe. That’s what I was trying to say.”

“Thank you for that and for saving both Stephen and me.”

“Don’t take this the wrong way, but maybe it would be best if you don’t go out with Stephen anymore.”

I blinked incredulously, anger replacing every other emotion that still whirled inside my chest. “That’s your advice?”

He frowned at my question.

“Then here is mine, maybe it would be best if you don’t stick your nose in my business and if you stop pretending to care.”

I climbed into Rosalina’s car, slammed the door, and stared fixedly at the dashboard. I knew that what I’d just said was unfair, but the last thing I would stand for was Jake Knight telling me what to do.