Page 43 of Tangled in Red

The scent of his mate, even tainted by fear and pain, soothed something primal inside Diablo. His wolf settled, no longer clawing for freedom now that their elegido was safe in his arms.

Brett sagged against him, a shuddering exhale gusting across Diablo’s neck. “I knew you'd come for me. I just...” He swallowed hard. “I was afraid of what they might do to you.”

Diablo’s heart clenched. Even in the midst of his own terror, his brave little mate had been worried for him. He pressed a fierce kiss to Brett’s hair, inhaling the scent of him beneath the layers of fear and grime.

“Takes more than a few hyenas to bring me down.” He forced a smile, trying to ease the tension. “Though I might need you to kiss a few bruises better later.”

Brett huffed a small laugh, the sound watery but genuine. “I think that can be arranged.”

“Let's get you out of here,” Diablo murmured, lifting Brett easily as he stood. His mate's arms wound around his neck, clinging tightly.

Diablo carried him from the room, down the hallway now splattered with blood. The fighting had stopped, an eerie quiet settling over the warehouse. As they emerged into the main space, Diablo saw his packmates standing among the fallen bodies of Rico’s men.

Matias looked up, meeting Diablo’s gaze with a nod. It was over. The threat had been eliminated.

“Is he all right?” Matias asked, eyes flicking to Brett’s huddled form.

“He will be.” Diablo adjusted his grip, careful not to jostle any injuries he couldn't see. “They hurt him.” The words tasted like ash on his tongue.

“We'll get him checked out,” Matias promised. “I’ll have Doc meet us back at the tavern.”

Diablo carried Brett out into the night, away from the blood and violence. His elegido remained silent, face buried against Diablo’s neck as if trying to block out the world.

“I’ve got you,” Diablo repeated, a mantra as much for himself as for Brett. “You’re safe now, cariño.”

Brett’s breath hitched, his body trembling. Diablo held him closer, murmuring reassurances as they crossed the gravel lot. The pack would handle the cleanup and the disposal of the bodies. Right now, his only priority was Brett.

Santiago brought Diablo’s motorcycle around, parking it beside him. “I’ll ride it back. You take my truck.” He tossed the keys, which Diablo caught one-handed. “Get our boy home.”

Diablo felt a swell of gratitude for his pack, his family. They'd come without hesitation, fought beside him, all for the sake of his mate.

He settled Brett into the passenger seat of Santiago's truck, buckling him in with gentle hands. His elegido looked so small, so fragile. Rage and sorrow warred within Diablo’s chest as he catalogued each visible bruise, each mark marring Brett’s pale skin.

Climbing into the driver’s seat, Diablo started the engine with a rumble. He reached over, taking Brett’s hand in his own, lacing their fingers together. “Talk to me, pajarito.”

Brett’s eyes remained fixed on the dashboard, his voice barely above a whisper. “I was so scared. Not just for me, but for you. I knew you’d come, but I didn’t know what they had planned.” A ghost of a smile touched his lips. “Guess he didn’t know what kind of devil he was dealing with, huh?”

“Damn straight.” Diablo forced a grin, trying to keep the mood light despite the rage still simmering in his veins. “El diablo always protects what’s his.”

Brett squeezed his hand. “I like being yours.”

The simple statement hit Diablo like a punch to the chest. “You’re mi corazón, Brett. My heart. Without you...” He swallowed past the sudden lump in his throat. “Without you, I’m not whole.”

“Who knew the big bad wolf was such a softy?” Brett teased, but his eyes were soft, full of an emotion Diablo was afraid to name. A shaky exhale left Brett’s lips. “I love you.” The words hung between them, raw and honest in the confines of the truck cab. “I love you like crazy, Diablo.”

Diablo’s heart seized in his chest. He’d known, on some level, that his feelings for Brett ran soul-deep. But hearing those words, spoken with such genuine emotion, rocked him to his core.

Turning in his seat, he cupped his mate’s face in his hands, thumbs brushing away the tears that had begun to fall.

“I love you too,” he said fiercely. “More than I ever thought possible. You’re my world, Brett.”

His mate surged forward, capturing Diablo’s mouth in a desperate, needy kiss. Diablo met him with equal fervor, pouring every ounce of love and devotion into the slide of their lips.

When they finally parted, Diablo felt a sense of calm settle over him. Yes, Brett had been hurt. Yes, there would be trauma to work through. But his mate had him, and Diablo would always be there for his redhead.

“Let’s go home,” he murmured.

Brett nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “Home. I like the sound of that.”

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