Page 8 of Wild & Wanted

I reluctantly peel myself from his rock-hard body, just enough to meet his gaze. I can’t quite describe the look I see there. Fierce and protective, yes, along with anger and frustration at the situation. However, beneath that, I’d swear… there’s an ounce of genuine worry for me.

“You’re brilliant, Hadley. You caught something I’ve been trying to track down for far too long, and you did it in your first few days on the job.”

I beam under his praise and attention, the blush blooming into my cheeks and down my neck. Wolf’s eyes bore into mine, like he’s finding out something new about me. Then, his gaze turns serious, and I know there’s more to what he has to say.

“I never meant for you to get caught up in any of this,” he continues, breaking eye contact as he turns his head to the side. Wolf heaves out a sigh and shakes his head as if disappointed with himself. “But it’s too late now.”

“What?” I breathe out, my voice shaking. “Too late?”

His eyes snap back to mine, a softer expression taking over his features. “I won’t let anything happen to you, Hadley. I can’t.” My brow furrows at that. He can’t? “Which is why you’ll be staying with me. You’ll be under my protection twenty-four-seven.”

“Um, excuse me? I can’t just move in with you,” I scoff, though internally, the idea of being with Wolf all day, everyday, seems like a dream.

“This is non-negotiable,” he informs me, his voice firm and in control. “The warehouse will be put on lockdown, effective immediately. Only essential employees will come in. You’ll be able to do your job from home.”

“Your home,” I correct.

Wolf tilts his head, those green eyes turning sharp. “For now.”

I’m not sure if he means I’ll be staying for now, or it’s only his home for now. I wonder where he’s moving. My heart lurches at the thought of not seeing Wolf every day. I’ve only known him for a handful of hours, but I’m already stupidly and inexplicably attached to this man. Maybe that’s why I don’t put up more of a fight. If I only have a limited time with Wolf, I selfishly want to spend every moment in his presence.

“Okay,” I concede.

For the first time since Wolf pulled that creepy guy off of me, he smirks. “I didn’t need your permission, but thanks anyway.” I narrow my eyes at him, and his smirk turns into a full-on grin. “Let’s get out of here, angel. I’ll make the necessary calls once you’re locked safely inside my home.”

I raise an eyebrow at him. “That sounds an awful lot like kidnapping.”

“You already agreed, remember? Besides, I’ve never had anyone over before. It’d be a shame not to make use of the guest bedroom at least once, right?”

Before I can answer, Wolf takes my hand and leads me back up to his office to collect my things. As we walk out of the warehouse and into the gravel lot, Wolf steps in front of me, his hand resting on the gun I’m just noticing in the waistband of his jeans. I swallow thickly, realizing how serious this situation is.

Wolf nods and reaches backward, resting a hand on my hip without turning around. “I’ve got you, Hadley. No one is going to hurt you.” His hand moves to take mine, once again leading me out to his motorcycle.

God, a ride sounds amazing right now. My thoughts are all out of whack, hopping from one subject to another, then back again. It feels like whiplash in my brain.

When we get to his bike, Wolf turns around and fixes me with a calm but stern look. “You’re safe with me, Hadley. You can trust me and my brothers to eliminate the threat. I won’t let you get hurt. I promise.”

I stare into his fierce green eyes as my world spins, and in that single moment, I know without a fraction of a doubt: whatever danger is hunting us in the dark, Wolf will tear the world apart before he lets it touch me.

CHAPTER FIVE

WOLF

Iunlock the heavy oak door to my small, sturdy cabin tucked away at the edge of the forest just outside town, my chest growing strangely tight. For the first time in damn near forever, a sharp wave of self-consciousness hits my chest.

Pausing in the doorway, I’m suddenly looking at my own space through someone else’s eyes. Hadley is the very first person I’ve ever brought here, the first soul I’ve ever let inside my private domain. Sure, I spend plenty of time at the clubhouse, the warehouse, or Stryker’s big, beautiful family home, but I’ve never been one for hosting. Not that I have the room for it anyway.

I sweep my gaze across the small living room. Takeout boxes from two nights ago still sit on the coffee table, a couple of stray mugs clutter the kitchen counter, and the old box TV I left running this morning is currently playing some grainy, flickering rerun of an 80s football game.

I rub the back of my neck, feeling a hot flush crawl up my collar. "Sorry about the mess."

Hadley slips past me into the room, her eyes wide as she takes it all in. Instead of judging, she just waves a hand dismissively. "You have nothing to apologize for. I'm the intruder here. I'm the one crashing in your space. I should be apologizing to you."

I stare at her, blinking. For a second, I think she’s being sarcastic. But when I look down into those soft, earnest brown eyes, I see disarming sincerity. There’s not an ounce of calculation in her.

Right then, a heavy, profound realization strikes me straight in the ribs: I trust her.

I don't trust easily. I don't trust anyone, especially women, not after growing up with my old man and his harem of girlfriends. He treated them terribly, and they gave it right back, every single time. Some of the anger was aimed at me for no other reason than I was in the room.