Page 282 of Warlords, Witches & Wolves

“Can we get out of the car park first?”

“They’re too tight. I put on weight.”

“It’s not weight.” Kass touched Bailey’s arm. “Muscle.”

Bailey checked the mirror, but they weren’t being followed. He tipped his head against the headrest. Wanting to breathe easy, but not sure that he could. Not yet. There were too many hurdles to climb over.

Now he was out, he needed somewhere to stay while he got his shit together. He wanted to ask Kass for help but didn’t know where to start. He couldn’t stay with Kass because he lived on the base, and Kass’s parents hated him before they’d even met him. He didn’t blame them. He hated who he’d been.

“So, why don’t we buy you some new pants, then go to the bakery?”

Bailey opened one eye and looked at Kass. “I don’t want to deal with the Coven and real life today. I want to forget. I want to…” His mouth dried. What he wanted was right in front of him. But Kass had been holding something back, there was an undercurrent of something Bailey couldn’t quiet place.

“What aren’t you telling me? I can feel the thorn beneath my skin. Are you seeing someone?” That couldn’t be it, he’d have felt it through the bond.

Kass shook his head. “I haven’t been with anyone since we met.”

“Really?”

“Yeah… I didn’t want anyone else.” Kass flicked him a smile and shimmer of lust rippled through the bond.

“What is it then?”

Kass sighed but kept his gaze on the road. “I’m deploying in two weeks. I didn’t know how to tell you.”

“Fuck.”

“Yeah. We can’t occupy the same space for any length of time.”

“But we have two weeks, yeah?”

“You aren’t pissed?”

“What’s that going to change? Nothing. Some things you can’t fight.” He put his hand on Kass’s thigh, not sure if his touch would be welcome or not. He wanted to be out of his jeans and into Kass’s. It was an ache that wouldn’t fade. “But we have two whole weeks. That’s more than last time.”

Then he’d have to leave too and start over somewhere else.

“I’ve already booked a room—too much?”

“Then I don’t need pants.”

Kass smiled. “That’s true. But you’ll need to speak with the Coven soon as they can help you start over.”

“How much will that cost?” He needed what was in his bank account.

“It’s free. But if they ask for help with something, you’re expected to repay the favor.”

“That is not free.” And it was too much like his family.

“It’s nothing illegal. Like, you’ll be looking for work, so they’ll ask around and sort something out. They’ll smooth things for you. And one day you can return the favor and help someone else out of a bad situation.”

He nodded, but it wasn’t an agreement. He didn’t want to tie himself up when he’d just gotten free.

“I can tell you don’t want to.” Kass glanced at him. “I feel the hesitation.”

“Damnit.” So he changed what he was thinking about. He wasn’t sure if what he’d felt via the bond was what he’d find under Kass’s clothes.

“I’m trying to concentrate.”

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