A sinking feeling came over me.If Henry was teaching him a lesson for an accident, that meant no one who offended him was safe.I needed to be mindful of my words and actions lest something trigger him again.
Never underestimate a psychopath.
Chapter20
Thunder rumbled as dark grey clouds gathered from the west.Three days had passed since Henry Hightower had strong-armed me into accepting his marriage proposal.I’d given him a list of personal matters I needed to tie up and the timeline, but he was getting too involved.He wanted to take over selling my house, but I made up a lie that it wasn’t legal.
I still hadn’t broken the news to my father.He’d probably be over the moon that I was finally settling down, especially with a wealthy partner, but I struggled with whether to tell him the truth.He would confront Henry, and that terrified me.I was also holding out hope that I’d find a way out of this.
On my way to the Arrowhead house, I stopped off at the front drive of the Macgregor pack.I called Deacon in advance to let him know I was swinging by and told him to meet me by the road.Since they lived next door to Tak, it seemed an opportune time to address in person why I wasn’t going to pursue our relationship.He deserved that much.
Deacon stood by an Ashe juniper tree with his arms crossed.His blue stringer tank top revealed his muscular arms, which were covered in tattoos.He must have spent an inordinate amount of time working out to get as big as that.
I pulled over and stepped out of the vehicle.The heavy scent of rain gave a sense of foreboding that a storm was on the horizon.
Deacon ran his hands over his short brown hair as if he wanted to draw attention to his muscular arms.The poor man must have thought he was catnip to all women.Well,thiskitty liked her men lean and strong.
“Thanks for meeting me on short notice,” I said.
“You caught me while I was working out.”
I wondered if that was true or if he was trying to impress me in that silly tank top.
Before I could tell him it wasn’t a happy visit, Deacon wrapped his arms around me, mashing my body against his chest and drowning me in his heavy cologne.
“Hey, doll.I haven’t heard from you lately.Come join us for lunch.”
I stepped back, uncertain how to begin.“You deserve to hear this in person and not over the phone.This isn’t going to work out between us.”
“You don’t say.”Deep lines appeared between eyebrows as he gave me a nonplussed look.“I thought we hit it off?”
I instantly remembered the lackluster kiss and wondered what imaginary sparks he had felt on his end.“My situation’s changed.I’ve accepted Henry Hightower’s proposal.”
His eyebrows popped up.“You gotta be fucking kidding me.That fast?”
“It’s mutually beneficial, and he’s the only choice for me.”
I carefully selected my words so Deacon wouldn’t think there was a chance in hell I’d change my mind.His life depended on it.
Deacon shrugged.“Well, I guess that’s it then.”
I blinked in surprise.
That was easy.
Not that I’d had any fantasies of riding off into the sunset with Deacon Shaw, but why wouldn’t he at least put up an argument?
“I thought you might challenge him or something stupid.”
Deacon kicked a rock and steered his attention off to the field.“With a guy like Hightower?Not even worth it.I’ve got a job to think about and don’t need the drama.If my Packmaster found out I was starting trouble with a guy like that, he’d demote me.”
While relieved that Deacon wasn’t going to flip out, I couldn’t help but feel disappointed that he didn’t want to fight for me.Somehow I’d expected more from a beta, and hehadshown genuine interest.
“Well, I guess that’s it.”I headed back to my silver car.
“Eden!”
I opened the door and turned.
