Series: Werewolves of Wall Street Series by Renee Rose
Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 94820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 474(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 474(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
I feel like a kid getting grilled by the father of my prom date. I promise to get her home before ten pm.
“I’ve treated her well,” I say defensively.
“That’s not what I’m asking. I know that, when it counted, you treated her with respect. If you hadn’t, she would’ve chopped your balls off. And Madi would’ve helped.”
This is accurate, but I wince.
“And then I would kill you,” he continues in that even tone. “I wouldn’t want to, you’re pack second, and my closest friend, but–”
“I understand. If I hurt her, I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself.”
“Hmm,” Brick murmurs again. He narrows his eyes, studying my face. I’ve given myself away.
What does Aubrey mean to me? I can’t answer because I don’t even know. She’s chaos to my control. Bright splashes of paint on a monotone palette. The scent of orange, cinnamon, and nutmeg filling the back of my limo.
What can I say? She has a silver nose ring that burns my skin. Kissing her is better because it hurts a little.
I can’t tell Brick any of this.
“She’s special,” I say.
“What does your wolf think?”
“He wants to protect her.” He wants me to do more than that.
Brick tilts his head as if waiting for me to confess the rest. How my fangs have sharpened when she’s in my bed. How feral I get near the full moon. How I imagine claiming her and keeping her in my life…forever.
I’m not ready to admit what she could be to me. Mate.
Brick seems to understand this. He nearly went moon mad trying to avoid claiming Madi. Of all the wolves, he knows what I’m going through.
After a long pause, he nods. “Your punishment is patrol duty for the rest of the trip.” Not much of a punishment; we’re all taking security posts to make sure Luka doesn’t have an opening to retaliate. “Let’s get some sleep. We’ll take the dawn shift.”
“Are you punishing yourself, too?” I follow his lead and rise from my seat.
“It’s my fault we were on that boat in the first place. I should’ve made sure I knew his stance on humans before allowing him so close to ours.” He claps my shoulder. “I’m grateful you stood up for Madi and Aubrey.”
“Even if it cost us?”
“Even then. That’s the lesson fate taught me when I met Madi. No matter what, your mate always comes first.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Billy
The next morning, Sully gives us the all-clear, security wise. The bridal party heads into the city center because the females–mostly Brick’s sisters, Ruby and Scarlett–want to do some luxury shopping. I would opt out to preserve my manhood, but my wolf doesn’t want Aubrey to go unescorted.
My assistant, Annabeth, did a great job with the logistics, and she somehow arranged a bullet-proof limo driven by one of Sully’s top security wolves, and we pile in. Scarlett pours champagne for everyone.
On the way, Aubrey’s phone rings. She glances at the screen and frowns. “I’m sorry, I have to take this.”
Through the phone, I hear the tinny voice of a panicked female. “Aubrey! Yesterday I got home, and my computer was gone. My apartment had been broken into, and they ransacked the place.”
I frown as Aubrey goes rigid.
“Did you call the cops?” she asks.
“No! Are you kidding? This isn’t a normal break-in. It’s Sentience! I told you someone was watching me! I’m in hiding. I don’t know if you’re in danger, but I wanted to give you a heads-up. Tell Jan, too.”
The scent of fear that comes from Aubrey turns my wolf ferocious. Everyone in the limo notes the change and focuses on Aubrey.
“I’m so sorry I got you involved in this–” the person on the other line is babbling.
“Hey, it’s okay,” Aubrey soothes. “I’ll be careful and will make sure Jan is too. We’ll be okay. Let me know when you’re somewhere safe.”
“What is it?” Madi asks.
Aubrey hesitates then shakes her head and forces a smile, clearly not wanting to ruin the festive atmosphere. “It’s nothing–just, um, someone I know had their house broken into.”
It’s clearly not nothing, but I let it go until I help her out of the limo, and we can talk in private. She doesn’t want to disturb Madi’s weekend, and I respect that. We’re at a group of luxury shops located in an outdoor courtyard with fountains and gardens.
The group scatters, agreeing to meet back up in a couple of hours.
“What happened?” I escort Aubrey away from the others. “That had to do with the Sentience espionage, right?”
She swallows. I hate the edge of fear I see behind her normally confident expression. “The Sentience whistle-blower had her place tossed. She told me before she thought someone was following her. That’s why I freaked out that night you were trailing me in your car.”
“Fuck. I’m sorry I scared you.”
She gives her head a quick shake. “No, don’t be. I just…”