Page 71 of Knight With Benefits

He seemed to be in a good mood so I didn’t want to ruin it by asking about his therapy, and I wasn’t sure what I’d do if he responded any way other than he usually did, since my bear was trying to drag me out the door to Gwyn and wouldn’t put up with trying to soothe the other alpha, so I left it alone but made a mental note to ask Sebastian to check in with him soon. Sebastian and the Frosts felt responsible for what had happened since Jackson had been helping them when he was caught by the Purists, but they were trying to give Jax space since he’d made it clear he didn’t want them hovering. He didn’t wantanyonemothering him, I just refused to let him completely withdraw since I knew what it could lead too.

I’d been there myself.

“Gwyn’s going into heat.”

Jackson’s brows shot up, giving me the same surprised look I was sure I was giving him since the words had slipped out without permission.

“Uh, cool? You gonna claim her?”

My shaft had already been wedged against my zipper all day, but his question had another surge of blood making it twitch painfully. Grimacing, I glanced away as I tried to come up with a reason for blurting out the news.

“No, she hasn’t asked for that. But we’re going to be distracted for a few days, and with the threat of the Purists looking for her, maybe you could keep an eye on the café?”

We had tried to avoid mentioning the Purists around him after his injuries, but he’d called us on it and demanded to be treated like a full member of the club or he would leave. None of us wanted to see him out on his own, so we’d stopped mincing words around him, but we still tended to avoid assigning him anything that might bring him into contact with the speciest group.

“Yeah, I can keep an eye on it. Anything specific I should watch for?”

I grimaced again before turning back to meet his gaze. He seemed calm, but I knew firsthand how what someone showed the world and how they felt inside could be wildly different.

“I’m not sure. Her son is tangled up with them and found her there, so I guess make sure no one is lingering or scoping the place out.”

Nodding, he grunted again before finally straightening and pulling his arm out of the engine. He grabbed a rag to wipe his hands before glancing at the clock and back at me.

“No problem. I guess I’m done for today. Wouldn’t want to keep you from your omega.”

I damn near purred at his words, warmth spreading in my chest at Gwyn being called mine, but I had to rein it in before my bear got the wrong idea.

“I’ll clean up. You can go ahead and go. And don’t stay out too late, you need a clear head for your appointment.”

His lip curled, but there was no growl like there had been the first few times I bothered him about the twice-weekly visits. I wasn’t sure anyone liked laying themselves bare to someone, but it was especially hard for an alpha with our inflated egos. It was good to see he was more accepting, and I hoped it was helping him.

It didn’t take long to double check that everything was put away and locked up, and I forced myself not to rush through it. I’d texted Gwyn a few times throughout the day, so I knew the window had been replaced and then she’d gone to the store. It had taken a lot not to tell her she shouldn’t go, and I’d ended up having to leave my phone in the office while I paced so I couldn’t send the message. Eventually I’d checked in to be sure she’d made it home, and she had, but she’d mentioned planning to go to The Hangout once David was there.

I trusted David just as much as any of the Knights, but knowing she was going to see another man still had my hackles rising. Beta or not, my bear didn’t like it, nor did he like that there might be others at the bar.

My fingers flew over the keypad of my phone as I walked to my bike, hoping she’d respond to my message saying she was home and waiting for me, but the growl I’d been containing finally slipped free when her message popped up on my screen.

I’m not home yet. There was a problem, so it might be a while before I get there.

The sound of my engine drowned out all other noise as I took off as soon as my ass hit the saddle. Too many traffic laws to keep count of were broken as I sped from Uptown back to Hell and my omega, ignoring every red light and indignant horn.

The blue and red lights were obvious from two blocks away, making my heart stutter as the raging inferno in my chest suddenly cooled with fear. The cops weren’t called unless something serious happened since we never knew whose payroll they were on, but I still released the breath I’d held when I spotted their cruisers and not an ambulance.

It took all my control not to roar into the parking lot of the café and demand to know what had happened, but I forced myself to slow to slightly more legal speeds and pull in carefully so I didn’t hit any of the crowd gathered outside The Hangout. Seeing some of the Knights helped ease more of the tension in my shoulders, but I wasn’t going to breathe easy until I knew Gwyn was okay.

Cutting the engine, I was off my bike and wading through the crowd in seconds, using elbows and growls freely to make my way toward where everyone was looking. I spared a glance toward the café but was distracted from seeing what was going on by the sight of Gwyn sitting on the edge of the sidewalk with David hovering over her. She clutched a mug in both hands, her head bowed over it so low her forehead almost rested on the rim.

“Are you okay?”

My voice was rough with the nearness of my bear, drawing the attention of those around me, but the only person who mattered was the one who looked like the world was resting on her shoulders. She startled when she heard me, lifting her head to meet my turbulent gaze, and David backed away as I covered the last few steps between us.

I was on my knees cupping her cheeks before she could do more than suck in a breath to respond. Checking the air for any hint of blood or fear, I only found her sweet pastry and peppermint scent, and the anger sparking deep in her chocolate eyes calmed my bear faster than anything else could have.

“I’m not hurt, but I’m not sure I’m okay.”

I knew it took a lot for her to admit it out loud since she tried to be so strong all the time, and pride swelled inside at the knowledge that she trusted me enough now to show weakness.

“What happened?”

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