Broch hadn’t thought it through when he had freed her, and he still didn’t have any idea how he was going to keep her there. Then, he knew he was going to have to help her, and Broch had a feeling that her problems were of the same caliber as his. That wasn’t too good, considering he had mountains of problems.
When he was on his way back, Broch heard from Leonard that the police had a few eyewitnesses. He wasn’t sure how to feel about it. The time that he had spent with Christin, going through the cells and getting her out, had made him more vulnerable. He hadn’t thought that he would be in there so long. He had opened up the wall close to their cell for that reason. Now though, someone out there had seen his face and Christin’s, as well as the others he sprung. It was not a good addition to the stack of drama he already had to sift through.
His nerves were on full tilt by the time he arrived home. Everything was going wrong, certainly not the way that it was supposed to. He was trying his best to stay positive, but it was hard. When the house was quiet and there was no one in sight, his nerves took a turn for the worst. Christin had left, he was sure of it. All of it felt like it was for nothing.
***
Broch immediately found himself in a foul mood. He didn’t want to think about her abandoning him without so much as a goodbye. He couldn’t believe that she would do such a thing and he stormed through the house, banging down his phone and the keys that he had retrieved from Ernest. He wasn’t worried about anything, finally alone where he could rage and break things if he wanted to. It had been too long since he was able to show out and for some reason, all of those ill feelings were bubbling up then.
He went outside after smashing several things in the kitchen and living room. It was satisfying, but it wasn’t enough. He wanted more. He needed to run off everything that he was feeling. All of the built-up emotions that he had was overwhelming his system and he had to get away. It was all he could think about.
Broch shifted, not worrying about what was around him. The back acreage was all his and there wasn’t a house for over a mile in any direction. It was made for him and his people to get in and out, in whatever form they wanted to. He took advantage of it now.
He didn’t see anyone coming in from the wood’s edge when he was leaving. He wasn’t even that far from them, but all he could do was go forward. He raged and ran, as fast and as hard as he could. Broch didn’t let up until his four legs felt like they were going to fall off. He went a little further, ensuring that he had gotten rid of all the excess energy. He didn’t allow himself to lose control very often, but that night had been a doozy. Instead of worrying about anything else, Broch told himself that he was going to make sure that it all was figured out. He was going to find out who was sabotaging his people and he was going to make it stop. Broch didn’t have time to worry about Christin and all of her bull. He needed to focus on his own people and what was going on with them.
Broch pushed through the front door, not even paying attention to anything around him. He was in such a foul mood, and he was so far in his head, that after hearing his name, he still didn’t realize that it was the real world calling.
“Are you okay, Broch?”
He looked up and saw Christin. What was she doing in his kitchen, with a glass of wine in her hands? She was so peaceful looking, but what was going on? It didn’t make any sense to him.
“You’re here?”
“Yeah, you said I could stay awhile, remember?”
He agreed, but Broch had thought she had left. He wasn’t prepared for her to be standing right there. He moved to hug her, pulling her toward his hard body, immediately reacting to the soft, supple skin that met his. Fuck, he hadn’t thought it through. He immediately pulled back. His hormones were on fire. What was Christin doing to him and his psyche? It was like he had no control, the wolf in him dying to come out and claim its mate.
Mate. What the hell was he thinking?
Chapter 10
Christin
Christin saw Broch turn. She hadn’t known what it was at first, because it was the last thing on her mind, but then she’d seen it. Broch was actually a wolf-shifter. He was dark brown like his hair and his eyes were still that intense green that they were when he was human. Christin almost wanted to spill it all to him, what she was, as well as who her family was. Since Broch was more than human, a shifter like her, there was a chance that he could actually help her in a meaningful way. She could take her family’s fortune back, as well as the titles that were bestowed on Phillip because of their marriage. She could get William back. All of it hinged on getting the right kind of help. Christin realized that Broch was the right kind of help, but she didn’t know how to broach the subject.
He looked bedraggled and Christin made him a glass of wine and asked him if he was okay.
“I thought you had left.”
“I did for a while. I needed to stretch my legs, get out for a while.”
In reality, Christin had done the same thing that he had done, though she had not been seen. It had been a year since she had been able to shift and fly. A part of her had wanted to just go and never come back, but Christin had work to do, and it wasn’t going to go away just because she wanted it to.
“I’m glad you’re here.”
“You look like you had a hell of a day and then you rolled around outside in the leaves.”
Broch moved from her touch and Christin sighed. It would have been easier if he had taken her feminine wiles into account. He was interested, it looked clear, but there was something more.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were so jumpy.”
“No, I’m sorry. You’re right. It has been one hell of a day. I think I’m going to go jump in the shower.”
“Do you want me to bring you some towels?”
She smiled and he shook his head. Christin could see that he was feeling awkward, but she had other ideas in mind. Broch was going to save the day; he just didn’t know it yet.
“No, I think I got it. Thanks.”
