Page 61 of To Keep A Wolf
I only scowl. “Why should you get to have all the fun?”
He chuckles. “Look, we’re both going to have to accept that we’re letting the other one expose themselves to danger before this is all over.”
“Are you saying you’re not going to fight me about the fact that I’m going with you?” I ask.
“I mean, fighting is my second favorite thing to do with you,” he says, grinning. “But no. I get it. We’re equals in this.”
I exhale.
“We have to go back before he kills any more of them,” I say quietly.
“I know.” He grips my elbows and pulls me in again, pressing a kiss to my forehead. It’s a chaste gesture, but even so, my blood stirs with need. I’m suddenly aware of the fact that we’re alone. On a bed. But I’m also aware that we’re in a van parked out front of my father’s house. And both my parents are way too close for me to let my guard down just now.
Levi eases back, a knowing twinkle in his eye. “I guess this means I’m sleeping on the couch tonight.”
* * *
Tripp returns late, startling me out of the suspended place between awake and asleep where I always seem to float. The van door is a soft click, and then his scent reaches me instantly, but my heart races anyway. “Sorry,” he mutters, climbing into the driver’s seat and shutting the door behind him.
“What are you doing?”
“Levi snores,” is his explanation, though, since Tripp is the one who snores, we both know he’s only using it as an excuse to check on me.
He settles into the chair, reclining it as far back as it will go, and folds his hands over his middle.
“Who’s on watch?”
“Rob.” His voice is sleepy.
I consider going back to sleep, but after a few minutes, it’s clear my mind isn’t interested. Instead, I sit up, noting Tripp’s chest is a steady rise and fall. Already asleep. Lucky asshole.
As quietly as possible, I get up and climb forward, using the passenger door to exit the van. Tripp stirs, eyes opening to meet mine through the window where I stand.
“Take the bed,” I say.
“You sure?”
“Yeah.”
I turn away but not before I hear, “Thanks, Mac.”
My steps are silent as I pad around the house in search of my father’s scent. It takes me a few minutes, and I realize he’s masking it with the direction of the wind.
When I get close, I hear his voice joined by my mother’s, and for some reason, I hang back, listening.
“You think the plan is reckless.” My mother’s voice is matter-of-fact though softer than usual.
“I think our daughter should be protected from danger instead of running toward it.” My father sounds gruffer than he has with me.
I know it’s wrong to eavesdrop, but I’ve never heard my parents interact before. It’s too strange and fascinating to turn away just yet. I need to know what they’re like together. Or maybe it’s me just waiting to see if my mother means her apology—and her loyalty.
“Removing her was never an option,” my mom replies.
“Of course it was,” he says more forcefully than I expect.
I stiffen, wondering if my mother reacted too.
She doesn’t answer, and he adds, “The past is done, but I’m not going to let you make all the decisions anymore. She came to me, and that means I’m in this now too.”
