But kisses were good.Kisses wereverygood.
The sound of a door opening made him look up.Gal stepped out of the bedroom, still toweling his hair dry.Liam’s attention turned to him instantly, and he smiled as if the sun had just appeared.The sight made Ben wonder if that was how he and Taylor would be eventually.
He wanted that.He might have told himself that he was done with relationships after what had happened with Jimmy, but it had been a lie.Maybe it wouldn’t have been if he hadn’t met his mate, but Taylor wasn’t just a guy.Ben could trust him.
“Someone’s here to talk to you,” Liam said.“Ben, do you want me to stick around, or do you want me to leave?”
Ben wasn’t eager to talk to so many people at once, but he couldn’t kick Liam out of his apartment.“You can stay.You’re going to find out about this anyway.”
Liam grinned.“You’re right.I will”
Ben sucked in a breath.“I want to tell you what happened to me.”
Chapter Five
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TAYLOR KNEW THIS WASN’Twhat Ben had wanted when he’d agreed to talk to Gal, but Taylor hadn’t known this would happen.Gal couldn’tnotdo anything about Jimmy, though.There was a chance he’d come after Ben, and since Ben was Taylor’s mate, Gal was going to protect him.
That was why they were gathering in Gal’s office before heading out to Jimmy’s house.Ben was there, scowling but also terrified.Taylor didn’t have to ask him how he was feeling.He could tell, even though he and Ben weren’t bonded.
Taylor had known this wouldn’t be easy for his mate.It had been hard enough to tell people about Jimmy.Having to possibly face him was worse, and while Taylor thought it would be good for Ben, he would never push his mate into something he didn’t want.“You don’t have to come with us,” he murmured, knocking his shoulder against Ben’s.
Ben turned his glare on Taylor.“I’m not letting you go there on your own.”
“Why not?I won’t be alone.Tony, Jacob, and Peter will protect me if anything happens.”
“ButIwouldn’t be there to protect you.I know that he hurt me, which probably means I’m weak or something, but I don’t care about that.I won’t let him do anything to you.”
“You’re not weak.”Taylor glanced around the office before taking Ben’s hand in his.“You trusted him, and he betrayed you.You thought he cared about you, but instead, he wanted to own you.”Taylor hated the guy, even though he’d never met him.He kind of hoped that Jimmy would be home when they got there.He had things to tell the asshole.
“If I’m not weak, I can come with you,” Ben insisted.
Taylor wasn’t even going to try to convince him to stay behind.He could tell what Ben’s answer would be.Besides, he truly did think that Ben should confront Jimmy.This time, he wouldn’t be facing his ex-boyfriend alone.He’d be surrounded by friends and protected by Taylor.Nothing would happen to him, especially not what had happened last time.
“You can come with us,” Taylor confirmed.“I was never going to try to stop you.I’m just saying that if you don’t feel ready for it, it’s fine.”
“I don’t think I’ll ever feel ready, but I have to do this.”
“Then you should do it.I’ll be with you every step of the way.”
Ben nodded.“I know.That’s why I want to do it.”
Taylor squeezed his mate’s hand.He knew that Ben could do it.That didn’t mean he wasn’t worried about him.He suspected he’d always be worried about Ben, even once this mess was over.It was what mates did.
“All right,” Gal declared, looking around the room.“Is everyone ready to go?”
Tony nodded.He wasn’t wearing his uniform today because Jimmy didn’t live in his jurisdiction, but he’d insisted on coming anyway.That meant that Jacob was coming, too, along with another pride member who used to work pride security with Jacob and Taylor before they found different jobs.Taylor had always liked Peter, and he was glad that Gal had chosen him out of everyone.
They had no idea what they’d find when they reached Jimmy’s house, but Gal felt it was necessary for them to ensure that Jimmy wouldn’t be coming after Ben.It was to keep Ben safe as much as to keep the pride safe.They didn’t know anything about Jimmy beyond what Ben had told them.Taylor had tried looking into the man, but he wasn’t on any social media, and he hadn’t been able to find much else.It was like Jimmy barely existed, which didn’t make sense in this day and age.
“Keep me updated,” Gal said, still looking around the room.“And Ben, if at any time this becomes too hard for you, you just have to say the word, and Taylor will bring you home.Tony, Jacob, and Peter can probably take care of this on their own.”
Ben crossed his arms over his chest.He was eating more now that he was safe, and it was starting to show.Taylor was glad.He wanted his mate to thrive.He was in the right place to do so, with the pride protecting him and welcoming him in.
“I need to do this,” Ben said.“I know it sounds stupid, but after everything he did to me, I need to look him in the eyes and tell him that he doesn’t matter.”
Taylor puffed his chest out.He was so incredibly proud of his mate.He exchanged a glance with Jacob, who looked like he was about to laugh at him.Maybe he was, but he also understood where Taylor was coming from.He knew what it was like to have a mate and be proud of them.
