“I need time out.” Joy’s blue eyes sparkled like aquamarine as she fluffed her beautiful hair. “Thanks for lending us your SUV,” she said to Bear.
He nodded at her without a word.
Mercy straightened and met Archer’s eyes. “That was real nice of you and Krys, suggesting we send dinner home with Noah and Cecilia. She’s a sweet gal.”
Krys rested his arms on the table and stared at one of his rings. “They need it more than we do.”
Tak returned to the room and collected another dish. “And why is that?”
Archer sat back. “When we drove to their house to move the books, their refrigerator was empty. All they had was a case of beer, condiments, and a package of hot dogs.”
“The cabinets were empty too,” Krys added.
One thing that had run on a continuous loop in Archer’s mind since seeing the state of her apartment was that Cecilia didn’t receive enough nourishment. Being that he was a predator who understood the importance of providing food for his family, Noah should have a stocked fridge at all times. It made Archer’s jaw clench just thinking about it.
“Maybe they were due for a grocery run,” Tak offered. “You might be jumping to conclusions.”
“I know what hunger looks like,” Krys growled. “Their house was a tiny fucking shack. He obviously gets paid shit money if they’re living like that.”
“Possessions aren’t important when you have family,” Tak pointed out while carrying plates to the kitchen. “We have to tread carefully with that one.”
“Why’s that?” Archer asked when Tak left the room.
“Because he’s a tiger,” Tak boomed from the other side of the wall. Then he returned. “Some men don’t like others encroaching on their affairs or implying they can’t support their family. Offering him food was generous, but let’s not make it a habit. You might insult him. Besides, some people don’t want a handout.”
Hope arched her brows. “Is that so? What happened to my benevolent mate who fed outsiders near his tribal land?”
Tak crossed his arms. “That was different. They were homeless and eating lizards when I found them. Noah has a nice car and a job. Is he really hurting that bad? He mentioned paying Archer to train him. Never assume the way a person lives reflects their situation. Some people tighten the purse strings to save for things that matter.”
“I guess food doesn’t matter,” Krys muttered.
“Why did you invite her here?” Archer asked Mercy. “She doesn’t want to hang out with a bunch of wolves.”
Mercy put her hand on her hip. “Mind your business. I make friends with whomever I want. Just like you did with her man. Cecilia’s a darling. If you don’t like her, that’s your problem. But she’s my friend, and that’s how it’s gonna be.”
Archer hadn’t talked to Mercy about the night she was thrown from her scooter, and it was clear the others hadn’t either. Including Bear, who flicked a glance around the table at Archer and Lucian, who had both been there that night. They remembered Cecilia, and that meant they also knew that Archer had slept with her.
Archer hadn’t tried covering up that dirty deed. Luckily for him, Mercy didn’t remember any of their conversation on the way home, since she had suffered a head injury and shifted more times than she could count.
“Just so everyone here knows,” Mercy went on, “Cecilia was the one who led us to Milly’s. Don’t you boys remember her? Bear does.”
Lucian rubbed his face, and Archer cut him a lethal stare that Lucian no doubt picked up in his scent, one that said:Don’t say a word.
“I don’t remember much about that night.” Mercy touched the back of her head. “After all those days sleeping, it’s a blur. Especially after we left Milly’s. All I know is that you better show her a little respect. She’s the reason I’m still here. But I don’t want any of you bringing it up with Noah.”
Krys twisted around in his chair. “Why the hell not?”
“Because it’s her business, and I didn’t pry. She doesn’t want him knowing about it, so if he starts coming around, don’t bring it up.”
Krys gave Archer one of thoseYou really can’t keep your dick out of troublelooks.
Tak briefly reclined his head and stared at the ceiling. “Cecilia is welcome in this house. So is Noah. Let’s stop shoving food in their purses and listen to Mercy and keep out of their business. We don’t know what their circumstances are, and I don’t care. Let’s not wreck a mated relationship our first year here.”
“They’re not mated,” Mercy added while striding toward the door. “They’re just living together.”
For whatever reason, Archer was relieved by that little tidbit.
Lucian scooted back his chair. “More than I care to know. I’m going to excuse myself from the soap opera unfolding and check out the camera footage from last night.”
