Page 144 of Claimed

“Not wanting me upset doesn’t give you the right to keep things from me, wife.”

“You’re right,” I say.

He gives me a disapproving look, but pulls his phone from his pocket and makes a call.

And I feel lost. Lost and sad. And disappointed that I’ve disappointed him.

“Bailey,” he greets. “Hey. Yeah we’re figuring it all out and lots goin’ on so I can’t give you the skinny right now, but listen… I need you to dig into genealogy records for the Silver Hills pack as far back as there are records. Particularly for the Meadows family. I want you to call me once you’ve got it all. I wantas much information as you can dig up about Stacy’s parents and Stacy’s brother’s parents. Half. Same father. If you run into roadblocks, involve Mitch. I’ll give him a heads up. I need a complete picture.”

He listens for a minute, thanks her and says goodbye before he pockets his phone and folds his arms over his chest. “Anything else I need to know?”

“How angry are you with me?” I ask.

“How about you answer me first, wife?” he presses, and his voice definitely holds a hint of accusation. “Then we’ll talk about how I feel about all this.”

I swallow hard. “I… I hid some food and other supplies at your house. I… put a little stockpile away in the garage in an empty tote that I found.”

He frowns, jerking back with confusion, so I explain. “I’m terrified of running out of supplies. After living here. Going hungry so many times. Seeing how it is here, maybe you can understand that?”

He licks his teeth behind closed lips, and I really want the hardness out of his expression. I want to touch him, too, but I’m nervous.

“I don’t like making you angry,” I add. “It might be because of what I’ve been through, so I’ve found myself trying to keep things from you that might make you angry.”

“You think I’d hurt you?” he asks, incredulous. “You still think that?”

“No. Not that. It’s not because I fear you, but because I want to make you happy. I want to be your reward in the way you described which is very different from the way women are treated as rewards here. I don’t want to cause you anyunhappiness. I just want to make you happy and be someone you can’t wait to come home to every day. I don’t want you to reject me.”

Pain slashes across his features and he gruffly orders, “Come here.”

I step forward and look up into his beautiful eyes.

He doesn’t reach for me, just looks down into my eyes searchingly, so I reach for him and put both palms on his chest.

“I’m sorry,” I tell him honestly.

I am sorry. I’m sorry I’ve kept things from him and I’m sorry if I’ve lost some of his trust.

“I’ll do better,” I vow.

“I’m sorry for what you’ve been through, wife. And I’m sorry if I’ve said or done shit that has made you afraid to level with me. No more secrets between us. None. Yeah? We’re still new but there’s depth in this relationship already, isn’t there? Or did I misread that? Because if I did, there’s something seriously wrong with my instincts.”

“You didn’t misread that.”

“You still don’t trust me or what is it?”

“I trust you. I just… I think I’m coming to grips with living a life not ruled by fear.”

“What do I gotta do to get you there?”

“I think I’m getting there now, Greyson.”

“Then no more secrets. Promise me.”

I nod. “Promise.”

“Even if I get angry.”

“Okay.”

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