Nessa nodded, reaching for the handle on the glass door. Several people walked by on the sidewalk, idle chatter filling the air as she pulled the door open and held it for Hunny to walkthrough. “I mean, I thought about asking Tabitha, too, since it’s her tradition. But I could make most of the food. I love to cook for others, and I think Murphy would like something like that.”
She’d see about inviting Marcus and the others as well. She didn’t think Murphy would mind hosting it at his cabin, and that way he could unwind after a long week of Alpha business, whatever that entailed, and spend quality time with his family and friends.
Following Hunny out the door and onto the busy sidewalk, Nessa lifted her face toward the sun, its warm rays a blessing on a rather chilly day. She closed her eyes, soaking up the heat even as the cold breeze threatened to take it away.
“That’s a great idea, Nessa, and it’s a good way to get to know everyone. Now come on, let’s go eat until our bellies pop.”
Nessa opened her eyes, pivoting toward her friend, just as her gaze settled on someone several feet away, briskly walking in the other direction. She stiffened, everything inside of her freezing in place as familiarity roared its head.
She blinked, and the person was gone, blending in with other people packed there.
Angelo?
“Nessa?” Hunny waved a hand in front of her face. “Everything alright? You look freaked out.”
“I—“ Nessa cleared her throat, searching through the crowd to spot any sign of her brother. Except he wasn’t there.
What the hell?
Had she imagined seeing him? It wasn’t outside the realm of possibility, considering she’d thought about him more last night than she had in years. Besides, she’d only caught a glimpse of the back of someone’s head.
It could have been anyone. Had her mind played tricks on her?
“Yeah, I’m fine,” Nessa answered, sending Hunny a faint smile. She reached into her purse, relaxing as her fingersbrushed over the holster of her gun. She skipped past it, pulling her phone out instead. “Let’s eat.”
Nessa was probably just being paranoid, but she sent Murphy a text anyway.
Chapter 31
“Jasper shouldn’t go babysit some leech on vacation. I’ll handle this responsibility,” Zeke snapped, reiterating the same protest he’d been harping on about for the past hour.
While Murphy didn’t want any of his bears venturing into vampire territory, he didn’t understand Zeke’s insistence that he take the younger male’s place,especiallygiven his loathing for vampires in general.
Murphy didn’t blame the other male for his hatred; he didn’t know the full details, but Zeke had lost his mate to a vampire a few years back. Ever since, he’d despised their kind far more than any shifter Murphy had ever met.
Zeke believed them to be foul, abhorrent monsters.
“Jasperis going, and there won’t be any more suggestions otherwise,” Jasper cut in with a roll of his eyes. “I swear, you’re acting worse than my mom.”
“Because Tabitha has a point.” Zeke gnashed his teeth, nostrils flaring in irritation. “You’re going to get yourself killed!”
“If I’d known bringing you two along to Murphy’s house would involve whining back and forth, I wouldn’t have invited you,” Colter commented dryly, slouching in his place on Murphy’s leather sofa.
Murphy ran a hand down his face, more than ready for this exchange to be over. His bear agreed, letting out an exasperated huff.
He’d come back to his territory to catch up on some work while Nessa shopped with Hunny; making sure the clan’s financial assets were fine, that there weren’t any disruptions among the members, and to check in with his dad.
But the main reason he’d come home and asked Colter to swing by? He wanted the male to locate—discreetly—Nessa’s brother and ex-fiancé, and to ensure those two worthless, pathetic humans never came near his mate again.
He’d rather hunt them down himself and rip them to shreds, but he doubted Nessa would approve of his burning desire to murder her abuser and her complacent brother. But she’d trusted him with the truth, and he didn’t want to take advantage of that.
He’d need to tell her of his plans, though, and he would, as soon as he got back to her place.
Given that he hadn’t gotten to talk to Colter alone yet, though, and the last hour had been filled with Zeke and Jasper bickering back and forth, Murphy wasn’t sure if he ever would.
“You’re worried I’ll die?” Jasper placed a hand over his heart, pouting at Zeke. “Aw, I didn’t know you cared about me so much.”
“You’re not a bodyguard; you’re a party animal,” Zeke grated out, his irritation spiking at Jasper’s playful response. “You won’t take this seriously.”
