Pride exploded in Murphy’s chest at her admission.
“You mean these …things,” Angelo said, his tone more confused than anything else.
Nessa crossed her arms in front of her chest. “They’re bear shifters. Notthings. And yes. This bear clan is my family.”
“Sorry, I …” Angelo eyed Murphy and Colter warily. “This is obviously new to me.”
“You’re taking it better than I did, honestly.” Nessa lifted her hand, placing it over the one Murphy had resting on her shoulder. “I panicked the first time I saw them shift.”
“I probably would have lost my shit if I hadn’t gotten knocked the hell out,” Angelo admitted.
“Sorry, my fist slipped,” Colter commented lightly.
Angelo turned his attention to the male. “You really don’t like me, do you?”
“No,” Colter answered flatly. Murphy grinned.
Angelo cleared his throat, looking away from Colter and back to Nessa. “So what happens next? Since that guy couldn’t bewitch me or whatever.”
“It’s compulsion, not bewitchment.” Murphy kissed the crown of Nessa’s head. “I’d be fine with breaking your neck and burying your body in the woods, but it’s up to Nessa what happens to you now.”
Angelo looked past Nessa and up at Murphy, seemingly unphased by the threat. “You’re her man?”
“I’m her mate, yes.”
“Mate,” Angelo drawled. “What does that mean exactly?”
Murphy raised a brow. “That whoever lays a hand on her again will receive the same treatment as Tony.”
Angelo nodded slowly. “Sounds like Vanessa is in good hands. Or … Paws?”
Colter smacked the back of his head. “You want me to gag you again?”
“Dick,” Angelo spat under his breath.
“I am in good hands,” Nessa assured Angelo, though Murphy wasn’t sure why she bothered. She craned her head back, looking up at Murphy questioningly. “He can’t just leave. He knows too much.”
“But you don’t want him in the dungeon,” Murphy guessed.
He doubted she wanted him dead, either.
Angelo stiffened in his seat, a small scent of fear filling the room. Murphy inhaled deeply, unashamed that he found the male’s unease satisfying.
She shook her head. “If Angelo’s serious about making amends with me, he can start by proving his loyalty to us.”
Hope shone in Angelo’s eyes. “I’ll do anything you want, V.”
“This doesn’t mean I want a real relationship with you. We’ll never be close like we were before,” Nessa warned. “I don’t even know if I want to see you again after tonight.”
Angelo flinched, his movements stilted by the ropes binding him. “I understand,” he finally said softly. “I’ll be grateful for whatever chance you give me. And I’ll prove to you that I’m a changed man. A better man.”
“Then you can start by keeping Murphy’s bear clan a secret from the rest of the world.”
“To be clear,” Murphy added sternly, “you will not have access to a phone. The internet. The outdoors. Not even a TV until we’ve seen that you can keep your mouth shut.”
“I was in a gang for over a decade. I’m not a rat,” Angelo answered, lifting his chin proudly.
“We’ll see.” Murphy stared him down, allowing his bear to rise closer to the surface.
