He turns back to me, and his flashlight catches me right in the eyes. Spots explode across my vision.
“Youasshole?—”
When I blink the glare away, he’s right there. Too close. Invading my space like he always used to.
“Heard you’re babysitting those rodeo idiots,” he says, voice low. “What the hell are you doing with them? If they give you any trouble, you let me know. I’ll handle it.”
“I don’t need you to do anything.” I retreat. He follows. “Just leave, Tanner.”
His hand shoots out, grabbing my wrist. The grip is too tight, fingers digging in.
“You can’t keep pushing me away, June.”
“Let. Go.”
His nostrils flare suddenly. I see the moment the breeze shifts, carrying my scent to him. His nose scrunches up, confusion and something darker crossing his face.
And Ihatethat he’s scenting me, that my body, still wound up from watching the guys, still humming with Omega hormones, is probably broadcasting signals I can’t control. He has no right to smell me. No right to any part of me. But here he is, sniffing like he owns what he’s finding.
“Why do you smell like that?” He leans closer, inhaling deeply, and revulsion crawls up my spine. “So damn strong. You going into heat? Betas don’t?—”
I rip my wrist from his grip. “What I do is none of your business. We haven’t been together in over a year.Leave.”
He stares at me with that calculating look I know too well. The one that says he’s filing information away for later, that says he’s not done, will never be done, because in his mind I still belong to him.
I turn and walk toward the truck. My legs shake, but my stride stays steady. The guys left it unlocked. I just need to get inside. Put a barrier between us.
The handle gives. I slide into the driver’s seat, slam the door, hit the lock. Then I sit there with my phone out, trying to look casual while my heart threatens to crack my ribs.
Through the window, I watch him move to the riverbank, flashlight sweeping the water. My knees bounce.
Just leave. Come on. Just leave.
He moves farther down the bank. Closer to where the trees hang over the water. The guys are somewhere in those shadows, and if Tanner takes two more steps?—
Movement catches my eye.
Not from the river. From the cluster of trees near the cruiser.
I blink. Sure I’m imagining things.
But no. That’s definitely a very naked Kai, sprinting across the grass like his life depends on it.
And he’s holding a white paper bag in his hand and shoves it over his head. It has holes torn out for eyes.
Where in the world did he even find that?
He reaches the cruiser while Tanner is still facing the water, and slides into the driver’s seat. Starts backing up quietly, door still hanging open, that ridiculous bag bouncing on his head like some kind of deranged ghost.
Kai. What the absolute fuck are you doing?
The door slams shut. Engine revs. And then Kai is tearing across the grass, tires spinning, leaving a dust cloud in his wake.
Tanner whips around. Flashlight swinging wildly. “STOP! STOP THE VEHICLE!”
He takes off running after his own cruiser, screaming, and I’m frozen in place with my heart in my throat.
So much for chaperoning and keeping these three out of trouble. We’re all going to prison because Kai just stole a cop car.
