Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 128380 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 642(@200wpm)___ 514(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128380 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 642(@200wpm)___ 514(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
Ever since the acid attack, an enforcer would prowl the land on which the apartment buildings and the parking lot were situated. “You spotted someone hanging around?” Deke guessed.
“From a distance, he looked a little like Bailey’s cousin—the guy who crashed your dad’s party,” Finley explained. “But I’m not positive that it was him. He stood too far away for me to get a decent look at him. Whoever it was, he didn’t do anything suspicious. He just seemed to be nosing around.”
“We all know it’s not unusual for people to do that,” Isaiah chipped in. “It’s most often lone shifters who’ve heard that our pride provides lodging and protection for loners.”
Deke nodded. “They find it too good to be true, so they like to get a feel for the place and question our loner tenants.” Bailey, Havana, Aspen, and Camden had done that very thing when they first showed up.
“Yes,” said Farrell. “But whenever there are occasions when enforcers are on patrol, any loners nosing around don’t come too close.”
“He scampered once he realized I’d noticed him,” said Finley. “But that might be because he thought I’d otherwise chase him away. Bailey’s cousin would be a fool to breeze around like he doesn’t have jackals on his ass, so I truly doubt it was him. But it’s my job to report anything that could possibly be of note, so that’s what I did.”
Deke gave her a nod. “It was the right thing to do.” Like her, he found it improbable that Roman was lurking around, but he wouldn’t dismiss the idea.
As Finley’s gaze snagged on something to his left, Deke looked to see Sam walking toward his building huddled in a coat, staunchly avoiding making eye-contact with anyone.
“It’s sad about Cassandra and Sam, huh?” Finley sighed. “I really thought they made a cute couple.”
Deke had heard through the pride’s overactive grapevine that the healer had gotten positively wasted at the Tavern last night, drowning his sorrows after Cassandra allegedly chose to end their relationship. Apparently, her cat simply wouldn’t except the submissive male as a partner.
“I know a lot of people are angry with her, feeling she was careless with his feelings by giving a relationship a try when she knew her cat’s stance on the matter,” began Isaiah, “but I don’t know if that’s entirely fair. I mean, some dominant animals in such situations do change their mindset if they grow fond of someone.”
“They do,” agreed Farrell. “So I think people are being a little harsh on her.” He cut his eyes to Deke. “What do you think?”
“I think it’s not my business,” replied Deke, to which the Head Enforcer gave him a You’re so boring look.
After they’d rounded up the conversation, they headed in different directions. Deke began walking toward his building, his step almost faltering when Dayna slid out of a car up ahead of him. She swallowed as their gazes clashed, gripping the strap of her purse hard.
Another female might have kept her pace slow so that their paths didn’t cross, but Dayna was made of sterner stuff. Instead of walking passed him, she stopped a few feet away. He did the same.
His cat’s upper lip peeled back. He had many good memories of Dayna due to how long they’d known each other. But the most impactful memories for the animal were those of this female goading and hurting his mate.
Licking her lips, she looked up at Deke, her expression unreadable. He had no idea how she’d reacted to the news of he and Bailey imprinting on each other. He hadn’t asked anyone about it, and no one had volunteered the information.
She and Gerard were apparently still cozy—and getting cozier as the days went on—so maybe she wouldn’t be all that bothered. Deke hoped so, because at this point the only thing he held against Dayna was that she’d hurt his mate. The rest just didn’t matter. As he’d told her, he’d moved on.
She gave him a tremulous smile. “Hi, Deke.” The words were low. Soft. Laced with awkwardness.
He briefly tipped his chin in greeting. “Dayna.”
“I heard about …” Trailing off, she scraped a hand through her hair. “Congratulations. I’m pleased for you.” Hesitating, she jiggled her head. “Okay, maybe not pleased pleased. It’s hard when I spent so long thinking of you as mine. That doesn’t just switch off overnight, even if you want it to. But I’m glad that you’re happy.”
The latter sounded true enough, but there was a note of resentment there that told him she’d prefer if his happiness didn’t stem from his relationship with Bailey. “I hear that you and Gerard are making another go of things.”
“It could work this time round. We’re both older now. Wiser.” She scraped her teeth over her lower lip. “He offered to come to Australia with me.”