Chapter 6: Chapter Six

“What in the hell were you thinking?” Cain roared at Tony.

“Cain, calm down,” Lamont said, placing a hand on his son’s shoulder.

Austin watched as the young Enforcer took a deep breath. Cain wasn’t the only person unhappy about them going off to investigate on their own—he was just the loudest.

“Where are the felines now?” Austin asked. They needed to get past the family drama and concentrate on the next steps.

“I have them locked up in the basement,” Tyler said. “Riker had a jail down there and, while I’ve never used it, I figured now would be the first and only time it’ll be necessary.”

Fuck, Riker had been one sick puppy. What had he needed cells for? Austin looked over at his friend and saw Tyler was not proud of having to use the holding area, but they all knew he didn’t have much of a choice.

“I put a call into the feline Prince,” Tyler said. “I spoke with one of his family members and they promised the Prince would call me back. After we speak to him, we’ll figure out what to do.”

“I want to interrogate them,” Cain demanded.

“That’s not a good idea.” They were the first words Tony had spoken since they’d all gathered in the living room.

They’d almost reached the door when Cain had come flying out, confronting his brother on Tony’s disappearance. Apparently, Cain had woken up, seen Tony’s note and woken the rest of the house to go find his brother. They’d brought the felines back before anyone had gone in search of Tony, luckily, but there were a lot of pissed-off shifters now.

“You know what else isn’t a good idea?” Cain snapped. “Sneaking out and looking for trouble when you’ve been shot!”

“You seem to keep forgetting I’m a grown-ass man who can take care of myself,” Tony argued. “You’re not my Alpha, Cain, and you’re not my boss!”

“How about I knock you on that grown ass?” Cain threatened.

“Enough!” Lamont didn’t raise his voice, but the order was loud and clear.

Cain and Tony stepped away from one another.

“It’s been a long night and we’re all tired.”

Cain and Tony nodded. Austin agreed with the older Alpha, too. He wanted this conversation over with so he could join Kiley upstairs. He’d sent her ahead of him to shower and get some sleep. He really wanted to join her in that bed.

“Now, we’re not going to do anything until we hear back from the feline Prince,” Lamont said. “I suggest we all head to bed for a few hours.”

Tyler rose. It was his house, so even though Lamont had made his proposal, Tyler made the call. “I agree. It’s going to be a long day. We need to get some shut-eye before we have to deal with our three guests.”

Tony stood and Austin saw Colt watching him. It didn’t appear that anyone else in the room noticed, though. Austin didn’t know if Tony and Colt were hiding their relationship from those in the room, but with the sparks practically flying between them, he’d be surprised if the others didn’t already know.

“I need a shower,” Tony said, stomping out.

Colt glanced at Austin and Austin discreetly nodded to his Beta.

“I’m too old for this,” Lamont mumbled. He, too, left.

Tyler smiled at him, next turning to Cain. “Nightcap?”

“Sure,” Austin agreed while Cain nodded vigorously.

As Tyler strolled over to the small bar in the corner, Austin walked over to Cain.

“You okay, man?” Austin asked.

“Yeah.” Cain ran his hands roughly over his face. “I didn’t mean to yell at Tony. I’ve been so worried and now he’s been shot.”

Austin understood. If he were in Cain’s situation, he’d probably have reacted very similarly. “He knows. Tony’s tried and he wore himself out.”

Cain dropped his hands and grinned at Austin. “You realize we’re going to have to figure out a custody agreement for my brother, right?”

“Custody?” Austin asked.

“There’s no way my dad’s going to let Tony out of his sight for a while. I know you need your Beta, but I don’t see how we’ll separate those two,” Cain said.

So, Cain knew about Tony and Colt’s relationship and he seemed happy about it. “I think they’ll let us know what they want to do,” Austin replied, diplomatically.

Cain chuckled. “Yeah, they’ll try.”

Austin could only shake his head. Tony had a lot more responsibility than Colt, but Colt was loyal to Austin and the Pack. Austin would never stand in Colt’s way, but he would hate to lose Colt as his Beta. He loved Colt like a brother.

Tyler joined them and handed each of them a crystal glass containing a small amount of brown liquid. He sniffed his drink. Whiskey. Good whiskey. He took a small sip and groaned in appreciation.

“That hits the spot,” Cain said.

“So, Tony and Colt,” Tyler mused. “I didn’t see that coming.”

“Oh, I did,” Cain said. “The moment I arrived, I noticed that Tony couldn’t keep his gaze off Colt. He is smitten.”

Austin sure hoped so, since he knew Colt’s feelings ran deep.

“Lamont’s going back home tomorrow,” Cain said. “He’s going to insist Tony joins him. I’m going to try to stay here until we can deal with the shifters.”

Austin nodded. “If Colt wants to escort Tony to make sure he’s safe, I’m okay with that.”

“Good. I’ll feel better knowing Colt’s close by him.”

“I’ll talk to Colt in the morning. Make sure he knows it’s okay with me.”

“What about you?” Cain asked. “When are you heading off?”

Good question. With the threats and attack here at Tyler’s, he didn’t know how much the felines knew about him or his Pack. He was worried and, even if his inner circle assured him things were quiet, Austin was anxious to get home. But that meant leaving Kiley behind and he didn’t know if he’d be capable of doing that.

“I can talk to her,” Tyler said softly. He had to know what made Austin hesitate to answer Cain’s question.

Austin shook his head. “I appreciate the offer, but I need to talk to her. If she doesn’t want to come, then we’ll work something out. I’m not giving up on the chance of having a relationship with her.”

Cain slapped him on the back before he drained his glass. “That’s the spirit. But why don’t you just ask her to go with you temporarily?”

“What do you mean?” Austin questioned.

“It’s obvious she’s a caring person,” Cain said. “You took in some of her former Pack. I’m sure there are things she could help you with. Bring her down for a few weeks to help with the Pack and in the meantime, you’ll get to spend time with her.”

That wasn’t a terrible idea. Austin was doing his very best to bond with his new members, but he didn’t know what they’d been through. He was taking care of them, but Austin hadn’t experienced the same things they had. Kiley had not only gone through it, but worse. It might do both the Pack and her good to reconnect. If Kiley helped his Pack, she’d feel better about herself and Austin would be happy.

“I’ll talk to her,” Austin said. “See what she thinks about it.”

“Good,” Cain said, passing his empty glass to Tyler. “I’m going to hit the sack.”

Tyler waited until Cain left to grip Austin’s shoulder. “If you ask her to go, I think she will. Kiley wants to put what happened with Riker behind her and if she can help your Pack, that will allow her to finally do so.”

“I don’t want it to remind her of bad times,” Austin said.

“I don’t think it will. She’s still living in the past and she needs to get beyond what happened. I know it won’t be easy for her and she’ll never forget, but I don’t think she can heal here. I believe she can with you.”

“I do need to get home,” Austin commented. “I guess I’ll talk to her in the morning, too.”

“Good.” Tyler gave him a one-armed hug. “Sleep on it.”

“Okay.” Austin smiled. He swung around and trudged out of the door and up the stairs.

The house was quiet again and he wondered where Tyler’s Pack was. Normally Tyler’s house was full of people, but he didn’t think they were staying there that night. He wondered about it, but not enough to turn around and ask Tyler. Instead, he strolled to his closed bedroom door and paused with his hand on the knob.

When Kiley had gone upstairs, he’d assumed she would go to his room. Now he had time to think about it, Austin was pretty sure her first thought wouldn’t have been the same. Damn, why hadn’t he been clearer on what he wanted? Climbing into bed beside her and wrapping his arms around her slim body would have been Heaven. He doubted that would happen, so he hesitated at the threshold. He could go find out what room she was staying in, but what if she wanted to be alone?

Shaking his head, Austin turned the knob and pushed open the door.

The quiet and silence in the room didn’t give him much hope. Kiley’s scent was still strong, but so was the aroma of their lovemaking. The room was almost pitch-black, which was surprising since he’d left the curtains open a little the night before.

A rustle of sheets had him freezing in place. He strained to see, his sight adjusting to the dark. His shifter abilities let him easily make out a body under the blankets. Austin smiled, crossing the room to peer down at the sleeping form. Kiley lay on her stomach with one arm stretched out on to the side, while the other was hidden under a pillow. He placed a soft kiss against the nape of her neck, breathing in her clean, fresh scent. Kiley didn’t even move.

He needed a shower before he joined her. She’d obviously bathed and slipped under the sheets naked and while he planned to let her rest, he’d also wake her with some special attention. Austin looked over at her one last time then strode toward the bathroom. She’d hung the damp towel on the rack and he buried his face in the cotton, breathing deeply. Damn, he was turning into a desperate fool who couldn’t get enough of her. There was no way he’d be able to leave her behind. He needed to come up with a plan to get her to go home with him. All he hoped for was time would show her what he already knew—that they belonged together.

* * * *

Waking, Kiley stretched. Her body brushed against Austin’s and she’d closed her eyes to enjoy the feeling when he tightened his arm around her waist. She could get used to waking up with him every morning.

His hard cock nestled between her legs and she scooted back, wriggling around just a little. In his sleep, Austin groaned softly. With a wicked grin, she turned carefully in his arms prior to squirming her way down his body. Kiley began kissing his chest, then licking lower.

It was easy enough to push him onto his back, as he remained pliant. Kiley settled between his legs before returning her attention to Austin’s body. His shaft was trapped between her breasts while she ran her tongue along the muscles of his stomach. He tasted salty and sweet at the same time. Pushing her chest against his cock, Kiley dipped her tongue into his belly button.

That got a response. Austin kicked out his legs.

Moving down enough to grip his erection, Kiley itched to taste him. The first sample of pre-cum exploded in her mouth, wakening her taste buds. Holding the base of his cock with one hand, Kiley sucked and lapped at him.

Him filling her mouth as she lowered her head again and again felt so perfect.

Moisture dripped down his shaft, helping her jack him. His cock was both firm and yielding in her palm. She squeezed his flesh again and again and over, loving how much power she had over him. While she sucked him, Kiley also humped the sheets—she couldn’t help it. She was wet and needy and even though she didn’t want to stop pleasuring him, Kiley needed relief, too.

“Harder,” Austin demanded, lifting his hips and pushing his cock deeper down her throat. He ran his fingers through her hair, then gripped her head hard when she sucked him with more strength. “Fuck!”

Yeah, that was what she wanted. Austin was always so in control, but the way he was desperately fucking her mouth showed he no longer had the restraint he normally relied on. Kiley loved it.

“I’m gonna come,” he told her. “Are you gonna swallow me down?”

Hell, yeah, she was! Instead of answering, Kiley took his erection to the full extent she was able. She choked a little and backed off to repeat the move.

“Yes!” he hissed, humping into her and holding her against his pelvis.

Kiley was rewarded with his warm cum. She swallowed as much as she could, although some of the fluid leaked down her chin. When he grew soft, she lifted her head to peer down at him. Austin lurched up and covered her mouth with his. She didn’t have time to brace herself before her back landed on the mattress and Austin speared her with two fingers.

“Please!” she begged, wrapping one hand around his wrist to make him give her what she needed.

Austin attacked her neck with his lips and teeth and she arched while thrusting her hips to get his fingers deeper. She shook and panted, but it still wasn’t enough.

“Austin,” she pleaded.

He laughed wildly, then added a third digit while biting down on her shoulder.

She might have screamed when she climaxed. The sound echoed in her head, but she had no idea how loud she’d truly been. Nor did she care.

It wasn’t until she breathed easily again that Kiley noticed Austin hovering above her with a look of amazement on his face. She blinked quickly to try to clear her vision, but no, he still stared down.

“What?” she rasped.

“You are so beautiful,” he told her.

“Oh!” What could she say to that?

Austin chuckled. “So beautiful.” He stroked her cheek with a gentle hand.

Kiley smiled up at him. He was really the attractive one of them, but she had no motivation to correct him.

“I was planning on waking you up in a similar fashion, but you beat me to it,” he told her.

Kiley nodded. “Guess you should have gotten up sooner.”

He nipped her chin but smiled. “I don’t know. I’m not going to complain about my wake-up call.”

She enjoyed running her hands up and down him. She wasn’t going to complain about her treat, so that must make them even. Austin groaned and flopped onto his back then grasped her arm to roll her over to where her body covered his.

It was a nice morning. The room was cool and quiet and Kiley did not want to have to get out of the bed. She knew that wasn’t an option, though.

“I guess we have to get up,” she said.

“I need to talk to you first.”

Kiley lifted her head to see his face. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Austin shook his head. “Or it might be nothing.”

Crap, the morning started off so well.

Kiley sat up slowly then pulled the comforter over her body. She didn’t want to have a serious talk naked and from the look on Austin’s face, this was going to pretty serious. He sighed, sitting up, too, but he put his back to the headboard and only had the sheet covering his lap. Kiley kept her gaze on his chest, not meeting his eyes.

“I need to return home,” Austin said quietly.

No! she wanted to scream. It was too soon. She didn’t want to let go of him yet. Instead of saying all that, though, Kiley simply nodded. She didn’t trust herself not to beg him to stay. What had she thought? That Austin would give up his Pack so they could date? She’d been an idiot.

“I know you promised Tyler you’d look after Jesse, but I could use your help, as well,” Austin said.

Kiley snapped up her head to look at him. “What?”

Austin reached over and grasped her hand between hers. “I want you to come home with me.”

She shook her head, not letting him finish the sentence.

“See, I knew you’d say that, but I want you to hear me out,” Austin said.

Even though Kiley had thought about it, and really felt as though she wouldn’t ever be happy where she was, the idea of going into another Alpha’s territory terrified her, even if that Alpha was Austin.

“With the new Pack members who joined us after Riker left here, it’s not easy to give everyone what is necessary all the time. I’m trying to figure out how to be the Alpha they need while giving them the space and time to heal.”

She nodded. It would be a delicate balance, but she believed Austin had the Pack’s best interests at heart.

“Since you come from the same Pack and know what Riker was capable of, what he did to them, it might help if they could talk to you about their experiences.”

“Are you kidding me?” That was a horrible idea. “They won’t want to talk to me.”

“Why not?” he asked, sounding honestly confused.

“Most of them didn’t even know I was being kept against my will. Only my family, some of Riker’s inner circle and a few of his friends who he brought around. The story was that I’d been sent away to school.”

“But they know differently now,” Austin pointed out. “I think it’ll help them.”

“You think it will help me.” Kiley narrowed her eyes searching his expression.

He dipped his head once in acknowledgment.

“I don’t need you to fix me, Austin.”

“I’m not trying to,” he replied quickly.

Kiley didn’t believe him. It was in Austin’s nature to fix things.

“But I also want you to think about this. You don’t have to stay any longer than necessary, but I’m hoping you might find a reason to stay.”

“You mean you?” she asked bluntly.

“Yes,” he admitted. “Things between us could blossom into so much more. If you’ll give them a chance.”

“I’m a Rogue shifter,” Kiley pointed out. “Not many Alphas would want me in their territory.”

“We both know that’s bullshit. You might not have a Pack, but you also don’t have the same traits other Rogues do. You just haven’t found where you belong.”

“And you think my place is with you?”

“Honestly, yes.”

He sounded so sure. How could he know that? Kiley did not have the same faith as Austin did.

“Please give me a few weeks?” Austin asked.

Why did she want to say yes? Kiley knew it wouldn’t work out, no matter how much time she spent with Austin, but she wasn’t ready for it to end right then. She was a hot mess and it might not be fair to Austin, but she wasn’t going to walk away yet.

“What about Jesse?” she asked. Kiley would need to put her own desires to the side if Jesse would be in danger by her leaving.

“I’ve spoken to Tyler. It was actually Cain and Tyler who suggested you come back with me.”

“Really?” Was Tyler tired of her? He’d already mentioned to her he didn’t really think Kiley belonged.

“Whatever you’re thinking,” Austin said, “stop. Tyler cares about you, and you know it. He just wants you to be happy.”

Suddenly, Kiley was exhausted. The feelings from the previous night rose and she had to hold off tears. The sadness and disappointment in realizing that no matter how much she’d fought against joining the Pack, deep down she’d wanted to, were strong. Kiley didn’t know how to deal with all the conflicting emotions.

“Hey.” Austin took her face. “It might do you some good to put distance between you and here. It could only help, at least.”

She found herself nodding. Okay, she would do this and see where she was after. Even if she ended up heartbroken and alone, at least Kiley would be able to move on from it all. The territory, Pack life, Tyler, Jesse, Gray and Austin.

* * * *

Kiley hugged Jesse for what felt like the millionth time in the last hour. She knew she needed to let go of the little girl, but she didn’t seem to be able to. She had tried so hard not to get attached to anyone, but she hadn’t seen what everyone else had and so had formed bonds with them even if she wasn’t sure when it had happened.

Jesse had yelled and argued when she’d found out Kiley would be leaving. The little girl had calmed down a little when Jesse learned Kiley was to stay with Austin’s Pack until things had settled down. Apparently, she had spent a lot of time there visiting. Kiley had told her she’d need help learning the territory and since Jesse had been there so much, maybe she’d be able to show her around. The girl had happily agreed.

Kiley had told Austin she’d stay until she thought the Pack was safe and happy. He had only smiled at her and said she’d always be welcome. She knew he hoped she would never want to leave, but Kiley wasn’t ready to make that kind of commitment. She didn’t know if she ever would. Tyler’s territory might be where she had been born and raised, but Kiley didn’t feel any connection to the land like she should. When she shifted, her wolf remained anxious and scared, remembering the bad times. This trip was for her as much as it was for Austin’s Pack. Kiley needed to know if there was anywhere she’d finally feel safe.

Home, she thought bitterly. She hadn’t had one of those in so long, she’d forgotten the feeling. Although she’d enjoyed the apartment she’d rented, it didn’t compare to having a house, a place that was hers, a place to be comfortable and protected. Maybe Tyler had been right and she would find where she was meant to be. But still, her chest tightened and she could feel the panic wanting to set in. She’d tried not to think about what this would mean for her and Austin, too.

Once again Austin gave her the time she needed to figure things out on her own, but she knew he hoped she wanted a real relationship with him. The reason why her head was spinning. Without the few people around she actually considered her friends, Kiley was going to face this new challenge all on her own.

Gray and Dominic stepped out of the front door and joined her and Jesse on the steps. Kiley released Jesse and urged the young girl to her uncle. It hurt to leave all of them, because she did wonder if she’d ever make it back. There was a reason she hadn’t left. She hadn’t wanted Riker’s actions to keep her from her birthplace, but Kiley had also feared if she’d ever left she’d never return. Now she was testing that theory.

“We’ll miss you,” Dominic told her in his deep, relaxing voice. He didn’t speak a lot, except to Jesse, but when he did, it was a pleasure to listen to the cadence of his voice.

“I’ll miss you all, too,” she admitted softly. She had to fight the urge to get teary-eyed.

“You’ll always be welcome, Kiley. Don’t forget that,” Dominic told her and bent for Jesse. “One last hug. Austin’s on his way out.”

The two females hugged each other. Finally, Kiley pulled away and placed Jesse in his arms. “I love you, little cub,” she whispered to the girl.

She spun away quickly as she heard Dominic and Jesse leave. She wiped at the tears that had fallen.

“Kiley.” Gray said her name softly.

She dropped her head—this was going to be equally as difficult. She took a deep breath and turned to him. The emotion in his eyes surprised her. They had spent a lot of time together and cared deeply for each other. Her heart broke a little at the look of loss on his face.

“Oh, Gray,” she murmured, cupping his cheek. “I’m so sorry. I have been terrible to you.”

He shook his head but she wouldn’t let him argue. She hadn’t once stopped to think about how her feelings for Austin would affect Gray. She hadn’t been able to give to Gray even the little she already felt for Austin.

“I am so sorry, Gray. I didn’t think—”

“Shh,” he told her, pulling her into his arms. “It’s okay. I’m going to miss you like crazy, but we both knew this would be happening one day. Eventually one of us was going to find the person we were truly meant to be with.”

Kiley laughed nervously. “I wouldn’t go that far.”

His chuckle sounded warm and she hoped she’d hear it again. She wasn’t leaving for some unknown country without phones, for God’s sake. She could talk to her friends, to Jesse and keep tabs on the Pack.

“Give him a chance,” Gray urged. “He makes such a good match for you.”

“Yeah.” She blushed a little while shifting from foot to foot. “I don’t know.”

“Please, for me.”

Well, damn, Gray never asked anything from her. Kiley wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him tightly. “I’ll always love you,” she vowed sincerely.

“I know.” He embraced her in turn. “I’ll always wish I was your mate.”

A tear slipped down her cheek. “You’ll find her,” she promised. “And I hope she’s ten times as stubborn as you say I am.”

He laughed like she’d intended. “Me too.”

With two fingers under her chin, he placed a soft kiss on her lips. There was nothing sexual about it—it was a goodbye to how they’d once been.

They smiled into each other’s eyes. That was how Tyler and Austin found them.

Kiley was pleased by Austin’s reaction. While almost every other wolf she knew would have felt threatened and attacked, Austin didn’t. He walked calmly down the steps. Gray dropped his hand from her face, and when Austin offered his, the two men shook.

“Best of luck in getting answers. If there is anything at all you need, give me a call,” Austin told him. “And try to keep your Alpha out of trouble. You know how he is.”

Gray nodded. “Thank you, Austin. I’ll do my best.”

Austin faced Tyler then pulled him into a hug. “I’ll talk to you soon.”

“Be careful driving,” Tyler advised Austin before addressing Kiley. “We’ll talk soon.”

“I…I’ll miss you,” Kiley managed. There was so much she wanted to say, but the words wouldn’t come.

“Come hug me.” Tyler opened his arms and she jumped into them. Even though Tyler was close to her own age, the embrace felt like that of a father. She closed her eyes and breathed him in so she would have his scent with her.

Tyler held her close for several moments and even kissed the top of her head. Kiley rubbed her cheek against his chest. She’d never touched him like that before, but it made her feel protected. She managed to break away and, without looking at anyone, walked to her SUV. Austin said something else behind her, then rushed up to catch her. He threw his arm around her neck as he escorted her across the drive. When he stopped at a black Explorer and opened the passenger door, she looked up at him blankly.

“Come on,” he urged. “Climb in—we need to get on the road.”

She’d started to follow his instruction before her brain connected. She stepped back. “What about my car?” Kiley hadn’t even thought about her ride.

“Tyler will take care of it.” He pressed his hand on the small of her back, trying to get her to move. “Gray already agreed to keep an eye on your apartment, too.”

“But I need it,” she argued, her feet firmly planted.

“Kiley,” Austin said, sounding tired. “Get in. We will get you another vehicle if you want. You can have this one. Or someone else can drive yours. I don’t care.”

“We should have discussed this better. I just assumed I’d be driving myself. I need a way to get around,” she tried to explain. “And a way to get home.” She wasn’t trying to be difficult.

“You can drive anything you want at home,” he countered. “This will be yours.”

She hesitated. She didn’t have much. Even her apartment had come furnished. Some clothes, pictures and knick-knacks, her computer and odds and ends. Her biggest possession was the new Tahoe. “I want to take my ride.”

“Fine,” Austin agreed without pause. “One of the men will drive it.”

“That’s silly. I can follow behind you,” she offered.

“No,” he dismissed. “Now, hop up.”

“No?” Kiley repeated.

Austin’s grip on the door tightened. “Don’t make this an issue,” he said in a voice so low he might have been talking to himself. “We need to talk about the Pack on the road. Plus…I really want to make this road trip with you.”

“Oh.” Kiley didn’t know how to respond to that. It was very sweet and, honestly, she’d like to ride along with him. She had to have to her own vehicle. “Are you sure it won’t be a big deal for one of your guys to drive it?”

Austin gently grabbed a handful of hair and pulled her forward. It didn’t hurt but it surprised her. That was a move he hadn’t used before…and she kind of liked it. It made her hot when he showed his strength but didn’t hurt her.

“It’ll probably work out better, actually. Since I want to be alone with you, two vehicles following will be safer, plus, the men will have more room for the long drive.”

Kiley pressed her lips together. Well, when he put it that way… “Cool.” She climbed in, refusing his help. Kiley retained her stubborn ways and she didn’t want to spoil Austin into thinking she’d be giving in to all his demands.

Austin closed her door and went to the driver’s side. He jumped in and locked the doors. “Put your seatbelt on,” he ordered.

She laughed—he couldn’t help but use the Alpha tone. Kiley did so with a smirk.

“I know you’re only playing along,” Austin said. “And oddly enough, I’m okay with that.”

Kiley shifted in her seat to get more comfortable. She’d decided to wear a pair of soft cotton gray pants along with a light pink long-sleeved T-shirt. The athletic shoes she’d picked were her most comfortable. Her entire outfit had been chosen to make the hours ahead of her relaxing. The time she’d spent with Austin had either been under threat or high emotions, including passion. This would be the first time they’d have the opportunity to get to know each other better.

As Austin backed out of the drive, Kiley placed her hand on the window as a goodbye to those standing on the porch. She wasn’t leaving forever, so why did it feel that way?

Once Austin put the vehicle in gear, she faced the front and looked ahead. “So tell me something,” she requested. Kiley needed the few minutes it would take him to drive them off the Pack’s land to be filled with noise. She didn’t want to think anymore.

A glanced in the rear-view mirror showed her the two vehicles following them. Right behind them was Kiley’s SUV and behind that Austin’s black truck. There didn’t seem to be anyone else driving down the two-lane road. She actually jumped when Austin covered her hand with his. She laced his fingers through his and held on to the comfort he offered.

“What do you want to talk about?” he asked.

“Anything,” she replied quickly. “Something happy.”

“I’m pretty sure Colt is in love with Tony,” he said.

He wasn’t betraying any confidences with his topic. Tony’s display in front of his father, brother, Tyler and them had pretty much busted Tony and Colt’s relationship right out into the open. Kiley giggled. “I’d sort of figured that out for myself.”

“No, I mean this is it for him. He’s is absolutely one hundred percent in love with Tony and I think Tony feels the same way,” Austin shared.

“That…that’s really awesome,” Kiley commented. She’d seen the attraction between Tony and Colt but hadn’t known they were as close as she’d found out. “Tony is going to need someone strong at his side during the next phase of going public.”

“That’s exactly what I was thinking. I think I’m going to be losing my Beta and best friend.”

“Oh.” Kiley squeezed his fingers. “Sorry.”

“I’m happy for him, even if it makes me a little sad. But if anyone can support Tony the way he’s going to need, it will be Colt.”

“It’s kinda cool, though,” she said.

“Yeah,” he chuckled. “It is.”

They were driving past the county line and she resisted looking behind her. She’d be back. Three or four weeks and Kiley would return to her lonely apartment, taking pictures of cheating spouses and picking up men at bars. It wouldn’t ever have the intensity or rightness she felt with Austin, but it would be safer. Or maybe she would go somewhere else altogether.

“I thought you wanted me to distract you,” Austin said quietly.

“I did…do,” she told him. Kiley hadn’t expected to get jealous over the conversation. Tony and Colt would find a way to be together despite Tony’s huge responsibility and still Kiley believed they’d end up happy.

Kiley wasn’t that lucky. Austin sat next to her and still she wasn’t able to see a future where the two of them would be able to last. She had a real chance of finding what everyone else wanted and longed for, but instead of embracing Austin, she was making plans to leave him.

What in the hell was she doing? Tyler had urged her to try to see where things could lead with Austin and Kiley was doing the opposite. Instead of going around and around with her feelings, Kiley had a decision to make. She’d made harder choices and never with the results she’d be after this time. In the end, she might be happy with Austin—she knew it was possible. Kiley just needed to be brave enough to take the chance.

Here and now she vowed to at least follow the path laid out in front of her.

“Hey, you okay?” he asked gently.

“Yeah.” Kiley smiled. “I think I am.” She released his hand and stroked up his leg, lingering on the zipper of his jeans.

“What are you doing?”

“Nothing,” she said innocently.

“Kiley.” His word almost a growl.

“What, hon?” she teased. With her nail, she scraped the outside of his pants along his cock. Austin rolled his shoulders and shifted in his seat. “You okay?”

“You know damn well what you’re doing to me right now,” he accused.

She laughed. “And what would I be doing?”

Again, she faintly brushed over his erection. Austin grabbed her hand and pressed it fully against his dick.

“Keep that up, baby, and I will pull this car over.”

She closed fingers over him. Now they were getting somewhere. That was exactly what she wanted. “That would be a shame.”

“Since we have two vehicles full of guards behind us, yes, it would be.”

She stiffened and looked behind her. Well, shit, he had a damn good point there.

Austin chuckled. “Forgot about them, didn’t you?”

“I seem to forget everything when I’m close to you,” she muttered under her breath.

“Me, too,” he told her. “But I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing.”

Neither did she. Kiley placed her palm on his knees before laying her head on his seat, close enough to pick up his masculine scent. She closed her eyes and relaxed, to enjoy his presence.