Page 22 of A Lady's Heart
Fortunately, or unfortunately, he was distracted by his phone vibrating in his pocket.
“Someone’s definitely been in here.” Evan started without preamble. “A couple someones.”
“Your pack?”
“Nope, bear. No one I recognize, either. Which means it’s not her ex, but that doesn’t mean it’s not someone connected to him.”
Justin held back the curses that wanted to escape. “Suggestions?”
He fully expected for the wolf to order him to bring her back to the pack house, but instead, he surprised Justin.
“Get her out of town,” Evan said. “If you need help, let me know. Otherwise she hasn’t even unpacked. I can grab her bags and be down there in a few minutes.”
Talk about a juggling act. This was exactly what he wanted. Mandy at his side.
But it was exactly what he didn’t want—control taken from her, with him thrust into the position of protector.
It was a good thing he wasn’t only strong and handsome, as she’d pointed out, but very,verysmart.
Justin lifted her chin until her gaze met his.
“Here are the options as I see them,” he said clearly. “Someone has been in your apartment. You figured that out—well done—now tell me what you want to do.” He held up a finger. “You can go back to the Takhini pack house, but until we know who was in the apartment, you could be bringing trouble on our friends. Number two”—another finger rose—“you leave completely. If there’s somewhere you think you’d be safe, like back home with your family, we’ll go there.”
Her eyes flickered as she took in his words.
“Yes, no matter where you go, I’m going with you. And the third option is you and I take off, butI’llset the agenda. This could all be some kind of overreaction on our part, but I have the means and ways to keep you safe. And while I keep you safe, we’re going to keep working on your list,” he promised. “Because it’s not right to let anyone steal another day from you.”
She stared up at him as she considered the options he offered, the dark brown of her human pupils an even deeper shade in her bear form.
Then she surprised the hell out of him and shifted on the spot, a petite, fine-boned woman utterly naked before him as she knelt on the ground.
She raised her chin high. No fear marred her expression, only determination. “You’re a bossy bastard,” she said plainly, “but I can hardly argue with your logic. Only you should know—I’m tired of running.”
He offered a quick nod of approval. “It’s not running when you’re going where you wanted to in the first place,” he pointed out.
Mandy placed her hand in his and allowed him to guide her to her feet.
“But I’m in charge,” she insisted. “I won’t do anything stupid while you’re protecting me, but…” She tapped her thumb to her chest just above her bare breasts. “I’m in charge of this. I know you won’t forget that.”
Justin took another cue from the Alpha of the wolves, bending over her fingers and pressing a kiss to her knuckles. “I think we’re on the same page, my lady. Shall we get ready for our big adventure?”
Mandy dressed quickly and was slipping on her shoes when the door to the apartment house opened and Evan Stone appeared, her suitcases in his hands. He turned unerringly to where she and Justin were walking toward him, waiting on the spot until they arrived. And like he’d done over the past couple months every time he’d greeted her, he put the suitcases down to come forward and offer a bracing hug, protective and familiar as a brother’s touch.
She was impressed Justin held back his possessive instincts. His growl of annoyance was barely audible this time.
Evan stepped back with a smirk on his lips as he glanced Justin’s way. “Sorry. It’s not my fault I’m wired to protect.”
“Right. Because hugs are so protective,” Justin grumbled.
Mandy wanted information, not Alpha-male posturing. “Was someone in my apartment?”
All traces of Evan’s amusement vanished. “At least two, new blood.”
Her heart skipped a beat. “Then, thank you for everything you’ve done, but I’m getting Justin to take me away.”
Evan nodded. “I’ll send you a list of my contacts. If any of them can help at any time, call in a favour. In the meantime, I’ll get some of my best trackers in to figure out what we can about your visitors.”
“Hopefully it’s just somebody who was curious about what I’ve been doing since the bear conclave and elections.” Mandy knew it was a reasonable explanation, just not a very plausible one.
