Page 192 of Marked

“Don’t worry about my father, you lone piece of shit,” Rick growled.

Again, I was struck by how wrong his voice sounded.Washe going fucking feral? That made no sense. How? He was in a pack. He had family. There was no reason for him to go feral. But his mannerisms and behavior lined up.

“Cameron will be mine,” Rick continued. “Do you hear me? She might have had a little fun with your little cock, but she’ll see the light soon. You were a plaything. A fling. That’s fine. I’ve got plans for her.”

“Whatever plan you have isn’t happening. That goes for your plans for Cameron and the pack as well.”

I spiked the phone into the pavement, the device shattering into a bunch of little pieces.

“Can you let me go?” the guy groaned. “My arm fucking hurts.”

I’d almost forgotten about the scumbag who’d tried to jump me. I was still holding his wrist twisted behind his back.

“You thinkthathurts?” I slammed my elbow into the side of his head. He slumped to the ground in a heap. “Tell me how your head feels when you wake up,” I growled before striding away.

It wasn’t until I was checking into a hotel a few blocks from the attack that I realized what I’d said to Rick on the phone.My pack. I’d called JC’s packmine, as though I was already a member. In all my life, I’d never associated myself with a pack. Had neverwantedto.

Huh. Things were changing rapidly, and I wasn’t sure it was a bad thing. In fact, it was good. I could sleep easy tonight, knowing the pack was watching out for Cameron. Although I’d have preferred being the one watching her, I knew Ollie was right. We needed a night apart to get our heads straight.

Climbing into bed, I set my alarm and rolled over. Before sleep pulled me under, I had one last thought. A mental image of me standing with Cameron, JC holding his arms open to greet us as pack members.

51

Cameron

Dinner was delicious, even after having dessert earlier. Gael had nearly thrown a tantrum when he’d come out and seen the dirty cake plates, but Mom had silenced him with a massive serving ofmoléand rice and beans. We talked and laughed together, eating dinner and then more dessert afterward. Well,morefor me and Mom. Gael tried to talk his way into seconds since we’d already had some, but it had been no good.

“You get ready for bed, little man,” Mom said, shooing him down the hall.

“Ugh,” Gale groaned. “Fine.”

A few minutes later, we heard the shower running. While doing the dishes, Mom nodded toward me. “Are you feeling better?”

“A little,” I said.

“Hmm.” She gave me a distrustful look, as if she didn’t believe me.

“I’m fine, Mom. Really,” I said, drying the dishes as she handed them to me.

The apartment hadn’t come with a dishwasher, or even a spot to put one if we’d had the money to purchase it. The tiny kitchen barely had enough room for the meager things we did have.

“Do you want me to stay up with you?” Mom asked.

“I’m exhausted,” I said. “I’ll pass out as soon as I get in bed. Thanks, though.”

That turned out to be a lie. After I helped Mom tuck Gael in and gave her a hug and kiss goodnight, I took a shower and fell into bed, ready to pass out. Instead, I stared at the ceiling, my mind whirling too much to sleep.

After tossing and turning for half an hour, I got up and paced my room, gnawing at my thumbnail until it was ragged. During my shower, a thought had burrowed into my mind and nested there. The damn thing was like an itch I couldn’t scratch.

I glanced at my phone on my nightstand. Was he awake? It wasn’t even eleven o’clock yet. There was a possibility that he might not have gone to bed yet. Even if he had, then at least I could tell myself I’d sent the message.

“Just fuckingdo it,” I hissed at myself.

Before I could chicken out, I snatched up the phone and began typing. After a few lines, I took a deep breath and hit send. Once the message was out in the airwaves, I let out a shuddering breath. How would he react? Would he be mad? Confused? Maybe he’d simply ignore it. Either way, I’d figure out how to deal with what he said tomorrow—if he replied.

Feeling better, I sat on the edge of my bed. The pack hearing was tomorrow, and I desperately needed sleep to be ready. As I reached over to put my phone up, it buzzed, nearly making me jump.

I know a great 24-hour bakery. I’ll be by your place soon with some treats. We can talk.

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