Chapter Eight
ALEX DIDN’T KNOW what he expected. Lang was too smart to have stuck around after Kennedy’s escape.
He glared at the dashboard while Eli drove them to meet the others. Kennedy remained quiet in the backseat. She hadn’t done more than blush and stammer since she’d woken that morning, as if she wanted nothing to do with him anymore.
His beast didn’t like it, but it still had her close, so it let Alex deal with messy human emotions.
“We knew it wouldn’t be easy,” Eli said. He glanced at the rearview, keeping an eye on Kennedy.
Alex wanted to yell at him to watch the road. He didn’t. Because he had no business being so overbearing when it came to Kennedy. She’d had sex with both of them of her own free will. No one had forced her. And she’d had no problem being with Eli.
As much as he liked that she’d wanted them both, a part of himdidn’tlike it. And that confused the hell out of him.
Eli sighed. He’d been doing that a lot that morning. Alex growled.
Behind him, he felt Kennedy stiffen. He couldn’t explain it, but he was so attuned to her scent, sounds, and the sight of her, any action on her part drew his attention.
He forced himself to relax and turned on the radio.
They met up with Gideon and the others at the hotel. As Eli parked among the Mercedes, BMWs, and sports cars in the underground garage, Alex looked behind him and scented worry coming off Kennedy in waves.
Eli met his gaze and shrugged.
Alex huffed. “I’m still not sure it was a great idea to stay in such a public place. I don’t care how often we use the service elevator, their security knows we’re here.”
“Yeah, and Carter is using their security to keep us in the clear. It’s a piggyback that works.” Eli grinned. “Plus, I like my comfy bed. The one last night sucked. After not having money my whole life, I’m down with living in luxury. Even all this—” he motioned to himself “—isn’t too big a price to pay.” He laughed then left the vehicle after tossing Alex the keys. “I’m heading up. Meet you in a few.” He glanced pointedly at Kennedy and walked away.
Alex left the vehicle only to join Kennedy in the backseat. She shied away from him. “Okay, let’s talk.” He kept his voice soft, not wanting to alarm her. Well, not more than she was already freaked out.
She blinked at him, and tears pooled in her eyes.
“Aw, honey. What’s wrong?”
She burst into tears, and he did what he’d always done when Katie was sad. He took Kennedy in his arms and hugged her.
“It’s okay, baby. You’re okay. I’ll keep you safe.” He rocked her until she stopped sobbing. Then he pulled her into his lap, pleased to feel her fit so easily in his arms.
She gave a shuddering sob. “I’m s-sorry. That’s been building for a wh-while.”
He smiled over her head, tucking her face into his shoulder. “You earned it. Dealing with Eli is only slightly better than dealing with Lang.”
She laughed and hiccupped, but no more crying.
He let her pull back and wipe her eyes, thinking she looked even more beautiful after having been sad. The woman was gorgeous.
“I know. I’m an ugly crier.” She sighed. “God, this is so messed up. It just really hit me this morning.” Her face turned pink.
He knew she had to be recalling last night’s marathon sex.
“You have nothing to be sorry about with me. Or Eli.” He paused, thinking. “Kennedy, how long have you been Circ?”
She blew out a breath. “What time is it?” She gave a sad laugh. “I was changing, gradually, for a while. Maybe two months, maybe less. But then I was injected with something yesterday, something that put it all together, I guess. I’ve never been like…this…until you.”
“Oh man.” He stroked her cheek, understanding so much more now. “It’s a lot to take in. But you’re not human anymore, baby. You’re Circ. That means you’ll want a lot of sex. And you’ll become different, more.” He held his hand before her and let his claws out. “See? We’re aggressive. We like to fight, and we like to fuck,” he said bluntly. “It’s just who we are now. You might get fangs too. Bailey has ‘em. And your skin can harden if you focus. Well, some of the guys do it automatically. It’s a defensive mechanism.”
She stared at him, wide-eyed. “I saw some of that at the labs. But, can I see yours?”
It took him a moment, then he curled his lip and let his fangs down.
