Page 14 of Wild Games
“Well,” he says slowly, “whatever this is, put it aside and work it out later. Right now, I need you both to focus on the investigation. That’sall.“
I lean toward the weapons, pretending to examine the magical trace while my entire being is distracted by her. This close, I can hear her elevated heartbeat, smell the heat rising from her skin.
There will be no excusing myself from the investigation. Far from it. I’m going to be her shadow, make sure she can work safely and protect her while she’s on our land.
My wolf has other ideas, much more intimate, and shows me exactly what he wants to do. The images are so vivid that I have to dig my fingertips into the dirt to keep from acting on them.
When I finally speak, my voice comes out rough. “Just solve the case. I can do that.”
Camille shifts slightly away from me, fury in her eyes, but I don’t miss the flash of hurt that flickers across her face. “Then so can I.”
“I meant…” When Dean stares at me, warning me not to start an argument, I press my lips together, instantly wishing I could take the words back. I’ve insulted her by pretending I can ignore our bond and work together like nothing’s going on.
But what else am I supposed to say?
“Come on, Jax,” she says, my name sounding like a swear word from her lips. “Let’s get this over and done with.” Tipping her head toward the packhouse, she strides off without looking back. “And get me a list of who had access to that rack last. Which training session and whether these weapons were all there or brought from a storeroom.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Her bossiness is so fucking sexy.
My wolf accepts the invitation with a rumble of anticipation, eagerly trailing along behind those hips as she storms away angrily, head held high. He doesn’t care that she’s pissed off, he’s just happy to follow her like an adoring puppy.
Dean gives me a curious look, wondering how I’ll handle being ordered around, but I just shake my head and wave him off.
“Go. I’ll give her whatever she needs.”
He hesitates, but then eventually shrugs and walks away, thankfully deciding he doesn’t want to know what’s going on.
But I have a feeling that when he does find out, and he will, he’s not going to be pleased that I didn’t warn him about the shit-show that’s inevitably going to go down.
7
CAMILLE
Istride away from the training grounds, spine rigid with fury. He’s made his position crystal clear. His wolf might want me, but the man doesn’t.
“Just solve the case,”he’d said, like working together despite our bond was nothing.
Like I was nothing.
Like it would be the easiest thing in the world for him to set aside our connection until the case is over and then…work it out later,as Dean so eloquently put it.
The ache in my chest sharpens with each step. Between skipping breakfast to avoid me, and now acting like our connection doesn’t even exist, the message couldn’t be clearer.
He doesn’t want this.
He probably plans to reject me as soon as this case is closed and is just holding off for his brother’s sake.
Fine. He wants to act as if he doesn’t care? Two can play at that game.
His footsteps follow maybe ten feet behind, nearly silent, despite his size, and matching my pace exactly. Awarenessprickles along my skin, all of my attention locked onto Jax, despite my frustration.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, but I ignore it, knowing instinctively that it’s Raven. He’s used to me answering immediately. Now he’ll be wondering what’s going on even though he knows I’m on a case.
“Going to answer that?” Jax asks, but I don’t answer the call, or him. It’s none of his business. Just like where I am every second of the day is of no concern to Raven.
Why are men so fucking annoying? Or at least, the ones I have to deal with.
I set a brisker pace, taking a direct route across the grass lawn that stretches out in front of the packhouse. A few heads turn as we pass, Jax’s pack probably wondering why I’m storming around with the alpha’s brother hot on my heels.