Page 63 of Into the Fire: Before

I scoffed, shoving up out of my chair to pace the small room. I hated that it meant letting go of Taryn, but my alpha wanted to snarl and fight until she got her way and was having a hell of a time takingnofor an answer.

The timing, mere weeks after Heath’s sudden reappearance, was too suspicious to be coincidence. Maybe if the attack had been one of opportunity. Awrong place, wrong timedeal. But it had been deliberate, not opportune. And who else would’ve targeted Taryn specifically? It had to be Heath. But while the cops were dicking around with warrants and court orders, he was still free to try again.

“Mr. Torrington will be under close police surveillance until we have further information,” Detective Banerjee continued. “If he is behind this, and if he tries anything at all, we’ll catch it.”

“Well, your restraining order has apparently done fuck-all so far, but sure, I feel entirely secure putting my mate’s safety in your hands.”

“Brea…”

“What’s the statute of limitations on his previous assault? Can we press charges and get him locked up for that?”

Taryn turned in her chair. “Brea, seriously, stop.”

“No!” I snapped. I hated that I snapped, but snap I did. “We know who did this! Heath hired a…a…hitmanto attack an omega, and the police are sitting in his parlor right now drinking tea and asking him questions. It’s absurd!”

The detective stood and approached me, but it didn’t feel aggressive. It felt…placatingwasn’t the right word. Like that, but somewhat kinder, more patient. She was smart enough not to reach out and touch my shoulder, but I half expected her to.

“The moment we connect the assailant to him, we can bring him in. But making a misstep right now means no matter what we find later, he’ll walk.”

My alpha still simmered below the surface, a low continuous growl in her throat, but she sat. Maybe she could sense the sincerity in the officer’s voice, or saw the raw determination in her eyes.

I released a heavy sigh, sinking back into my chair and folding in half, running my fingers through my hair. My eyes closed, and I breathed deeply a few more times as I forced myself to calm down. Taryn’s hand landed gently on my back, rubbing soothing circles.

Goddamn, I was meant to be comfortingher, protectingher,soothingher.I sat up with a final sigh and leaned my forehead against hers. “Sorry, Teacup,” I murmured. “Forgive me?”

The corner of her mouth twitched upward at the name, and she tucked a strand of wavy red behind my ear. “Always, Alpha.”

The guys drove us back home, led us back up to their apartment. There was no doubt in any of our minds, apparently, that we’d be crashing there for the foreseeable future. As we filed in, and Taryn curled on the couch between Brooks and Lin—the beta laying a blanket over her shoulders, the alpha stroking her hair as she settled on his shoulder—and Caine wordlessly handed me a bottle of soda and settled into the armchair with one of his own, my worry leaked from me.

None of us knew what we were supposed to be for each other, but we all knew one thing. Nothing, and no one, would touch Taryn again. Not without going through each and every single one of us.

Thirteen

Taryn

Thegrouphadbeenfully split on allowing me to come back to work. Caine and Brea staunchly against, Brooks and Lin insisting it was my call. In truth, I was just as split as they were. It would’ve been easier, honestly, if they’d just shut down the entire notion without question.

Because choosing to hide out in the apartment was about as appealing as digging through yesterday’s trash looking for an accidentally discarded bracelet. (Not based on a true story.) I didn’twantto shut myself away from the world, didn’twantto retreat into the same safe walls. Being forced away from the rest of society had been what Gran had fought against her entire life. Retreating, cowering, felt like a betrayal.

Still. I was so damn scared.

Even after four days holed up with Brea and the guys, I still had flashes of those horrifying, terrifying minutes in my dreams. The thought of going out, unprotected, into the world wheremy attacker still roamed, where Heath still roamed, made me almost whimper.

Yeah, I would’ve rathered they just laid down the law, locked the door and never let me out again. At least then I wouldn’t have to betray Gran just to feel safe.

In the end, the choice was mine. I put on a fight face, hiding the part of me that just wanted to be soothed and protected.

I won’t let this run my ilfe.

So, back to work I went.

Jennie would never say outright she was glad I was back, but there were signs. Literally. Sitting next to a stack of five-by-seven postcards bearing my sketchedBeLeaf in Yourselfdesign.

Sneak Peek: New Bean & Leaf merch!

Designed in-house by Darin’ Taryn Maddox

Postcards $3 / 2 for $5

---