Murphy … We need to talk, Marcus finally said. The male sighed, the sound a brief fluttering in Murphy’s mind.Can you meet me here?
Marcus listed off an address, somewhere less than ten minutes from Nessa’s own home.
Was that where Dante had been hiding this entire time? So close to Murphy’s mate? For how long?
Had Nessa been in danger over those few months he’d avoided her? He’d had Colter and Zeke keep watch on her in his absence, but they weren’t as strong as he was. What if it hadn’t been enough? Had his own stubbornness put his mate at risk?
He pushed those tumultuous thoughts aside—they wouldn’t help him here. Nessa was safe, and he needed to keep her that way. The first step to do just that involved removing Dante from her town.
Reluctantly, Murphy released Nessa, setting her gently back on her feet. He cupped her face. “I have to go, little mate. I don’t want to leave you, but this needs to be done.”
Nessa frowned, her dark gaze intent as she stared up at him. Placing her hand on his chest, she rubbed a soothing circle over his heart. “It’s okay, Murphy. I understand.”
He leaned into her touch, missing it already. He hated parting from her, but he wouldn’t take her with him—not while Marcus’s loyalty was very much in question. Let alone whether Dante was also there. “Tank, Hunny and Zeke will stay with you until I’m back.”
If Nessa’s brother was truly here then they’d keep her safe until Murphy returned to her. A human usually wasn’t a threat to a bear shifter, let alone two.
Given that his mate had been completely unaware of supernatural creatures before she’d come to Montana, Murphy could only assume her brother would be just as oblivious. If that male came to her home seeking trouble, he would be woefully unprepared for the dangers he’d face.
Tank and Zeke nodded in confirmation, easing Murphy’s decision to part with Nessa.
Brushing his lips tenderly against Nessa’s forehead, Murphy backed away from her, taking one last look at his mate before turning and heading toward the parking lot. “Jasper. Colter,” he gruffly called over his shoulder. “You’re with me.”
“Thank God,” Jasper muttered, moving quickly to his side. “I hate being on babysitting duty.”
“Hey!” Hunny shouted indignantly from the sidewalk. “You loved ‘babysitting’ me, dickhead!”
Nessa’s light laugh filled Murphy’s ears, and it took everything in him to not turn around, rush to her side and toss her over his shoulder, refusing to leave her behind.
He took a deep, steadying breath, squaring his shoulders as he reached his SUV.
Murphy dreaded what he’d find when he reached his destination.
Murphy parked his SUV on the side of the road, turning off the ignition as he stared at the house directly across from him. The entire drive over here, while short in duration, had felt twice as long, dread building with each passing minute.
His mind hadn’t quieted, his instincts screaming at him that he was dealing with yet another betrayal, another ambush, another emotional wound that would take him far too long to heal.
In the driveway sat Marcus’s truck with a car beside it that Murphy didn’t recognize.
Clearly, Marcus wasn’t alone.
“How do we proceed?” Colter leaned forward from the back seat, bracing his hands on the center console between Jasper and Murphy. “I mean, if Dante really is in there, I can’t imagine he’ll come willingly.”
“We take him with us regardless,” Murphy bit out.
“And Marcus?” Jasper asked quietly. “What if he causes trouble?”
Murphy released a tired sigh, opening his door. Cool air slid over him, the slight breeze ruffling his hair. The other males followed him from the vehicle, their strides long and purposeful as they walked up the driveway and toward the front door.
As they neared the entrance, a waft of smells assailed his senses, and his bear let out a warning growl, the rumble echoing in his chest.
Dante’s scent was all over this place, some traces faint while others stood out far more prominently. The freshest scent of all belonged to Marcus.
Colter tensed, and then cursed under his breath. “That fuckingidiot. What was he thinking?”
Jasper grunted, shifting closer to Murphy as they stopped in front of the closed door. Before any of them had a chance toknock, the knob twisted, and the door was all but wrenched open.
Marcus stood in the entryway, warily assessing the males in front of him. His gaze landed on Murphy, and a muscle jumped in his cheek. “Before you say anything, Murph, I swear to you this is the first time I’ve seen Dante since that night.”
