Chapter 17

17

BONES

S hock and uncertainty flash like an SOS down the budding mating bond between me and Sloan. I drop the chicken tender back in its box, all thoughts of eating disappearing. In an instant, I'm on my feet looking in the direction of where she'd headed. By the end of the food cart, Sloan is standing with another male too close for my comfort. A possessive snarl rumbles in my chest and I fight to keep from curling my lips. I lock my knees, forcing myself to take in the situation before charging in without thought, since it's clear she isn't in immediate danger or afraid.

This far away from them I can't make out what they're saying, though the male is doing most of the talking. Red flairs over my vision when he raises his hand to usher her to the side and out of someone else's way. The only thing that stops me from charging over and ripping that hand from him is that he doesn't touch her. She goes willingly, but it's clear she's sunk in on herself. Her shock and nervousness is still present in the bond but there is no fear.

It's the only reason the male is still alive.

I slide my phone out of my pocket as I crouch to retrieve my leather cut, never taking my eyes from Sloan. Sliding it on, I hit Stubs' contact. He answers on the first ring..

"Stubs."

"An unknown male is talking to Sloan. You got eyes on us before I engage?" I keep my voice as level as I can. I don't need Stubs to send in the calvary unnecessarily. It'd ruin the whole purpose of this trip.

"I'm already in two different security feeds. I've got eyes on her but his back is to me." He pauses and it's enough of a confirmation for me to start striding over. "There, in another one. Further away than I'd prefer but it should be enough for recognition. I'll let Chainz and the probie know to get within visual."

By the time he's done talking I'm stepping onto the gravel. "Thanks." I hang up, sliding the phone into my back pocket subtly checking the Beretta F92 holstered at the small of my back. I hope to not need it, but it'll be a hell of a lot easier to use it rather than go full demon in a public area filled with humans. Considering half of the human population prefers to intentionally ignore and deny creatures like me exist, the paperwork that would be involved would have Reaper considering chaining me to the computer hub with Stubs for the rest of my life.

"You look really good," the man says, smiling at Sloan who has her eyes downcast. He's definitely human, close to middle age but he looks the type to take care of himself. Blond hair cut short in a classic professional style, maybe a touch too long on the top, a charming smile with bright white teeth, firm jaw and cheeks cleanly shaven. He's wearing a white button down with the top two buttons undone and untucked with dark, loose fitting denim and brown loafers. His cologne is strong enough the artificial scent makes my nose itch before I'm even next to him. "I'm really glad you finally got yourself out of that place."

I'm at her side before she can answer, sliding an arm around her waist and tucking her into my side. I hold the man's deep brown eyes, my stare not matching the friendly tone of my voice, "Is this man bothering, sweetheart?"

Sloan is stiff in my arms and I hate it. I rub my thumb against her, hoping she understands she can trust me to protect her no matter what. Even if it's from a strange man who talks to her like he knows her.

The man's look of scorn and disapproval is one I've grown all too used to in public. Humans tend to associate tattoos like mine with degenerate thugs and the worst sort of crowd. "I should be asking her the same thing." He puffs out his chest, like he's ready to drop his food and fight. I give him credit that there's not a trace of the sour tang of fear in the air, even though I've got a good six inches on him and at least fifty pounds. "Who the hell are you?" He looks at Sloan, again, anger in his eyes. My lip curls at his demanding tone. "Are you safe, Sloan? I'll help you if you need it."

Fuck this dude. I swallow back a snarl and the urge to rip this motherfucker's head from his shoulders to dare imply that my mate isn't safe with me.

She shakes her head, tucking her hair behind her ear. I feel her take a deep breath, and as she presses harder into me she lifts her chin and gives him her gaze. "This is Bones, Paul. He's my--friend."

I frown down at her. Fuckity fuckity fuck. We're more than that, but does she not think that? I know for a fact I called her my mate more than once while worshiping her body and seeing how much pleasure I can wring from her while she's wrapped around my cock. If it's because of what I am, she could have at least said boyfriend as juvenile as that sounds.

I can't help myself. "I think we're more than friends, sweetheart." I press a kiss to the top of her forehead, needing to stake my claim in front of this man. I recognized his name as soon as she introduced him. Paul was the fucker who groomed her and convinced her to run away when she was 17. He's the reason she was trapped by the Justicars and abused by Xavius.

I attempt to get a sense of what she's feeling through our new bond, but I get . . . nothing. She hasn't blocked me out, we haven't practiced her shields enough for that and I'm not encountering a wall. She literally feels nothing and I raise my chin, glaring at Paul with a hatred I haven't felt since Prince Tol'vazir . His presence has caused her to retreat and disassociate.

"Paul." His name is putrid on my tongue. The man's brows raise a bit at my sudden hostility. He shifts back a step, looking at Sloan uncertainly before focusing back on the real danger. "I know about you. You abused a 17-year-old, convinced her to run away with you and join a fucking extremist cult. Tell me, how largely did Xavius reward you for bringing an amplifier to him?"

Anger rising, I move in front of him angling so I'm between him and Sloan. We don't know who in the Justicars know of her real abilities and I won't give away that we know. His eyes go wide, like he's terrified but I still don't smell anything from him. It's unnatural and sets me on edge.

"I don't know what the hell you're talking about!"

Snatching out I grab his shirt in one hand and yank him closer. The food box in his hand hits the gravel between us with a thump. I sneer as I shove my face in his. "You're the fucking reason she was stuck there for her entire adult life. You just abandoned her there. After convincing her that you fucking loved her."

He shakes his head in denial before trying to look past me towards Sloan. Even when I snarl, he keeps his pleading gaze on my mate. "No, that's not what happened!" I snarl at him and he flinches but keeps speaking. "Father Xavius said you'd gone to him and asked him to tell me you wanted nothing to do with me. You left me, Sloan. I tried staying, but I couldn't stand catching glimpses of you. Then they started asking me to do things I wasn't comfortable with, so I left in the middle of the night. I tried to get to you that night to ask you to come but you refused to answer your door. You -told- me to go away and leave you alone. I loved you, Sloan."

I breathe in, his scent confirming the truth of his words. With loathing, I let him go with a less-than-polite push but Paul keeps his feet. His shirt is disheveled but he doesn't bother fixing it; he steps further to the side trying to get closer to Sloan. I go to move but Sloan's small hand on my arm stops me. I look down at her hand where it's resting on my bare forearm then at her face. I'm still not getting anything from her through our bond and her expression is hard to read. Regardless, I stay in place, curling my fists. The moment he makes a move I don't like, I'll lay him out.

She looks at him and steps further away from me, the space between us feeling too cold and vast. I hate it but something tells me that trying to crowd her right now is the wrong thing. I can't risk her associating whatever is going through her right now with me. I need to trust that she knows I'm not him. Even if every part of the demon in me is desperate to wrap her in my arms and never let anyone else close, let alone Paul.

I don't expect what she says, and from Paul's reaction, he doesn't either. "You left? How? They never let anyone leave. I tried until the punishment wasn't worth it anymore."

"I just . . . left," he says, pathetically. Like it was that easy for him. "I didn't tell anyone. Just packed a bag and left the compound. Xavius found me at the motel I was staying at. He said that he respected my choice and had wished I'd come to him for guidance but when I stood my ground, he handed me a hell of a lot of cash and some resource and business cards to start over. I moved to Seattle for a while, then when I got sick of the commute I moved here. You remember my mom lives here?"

Sloan begins to shake like a leaf and I decide enough is enough. I wrap my arm around her shoulder, trying not to overwhelm her and turn us towards where I parked my bike. Besides, our initial confrontation drew a crowd and some of the onlookers are still here. Of course most of their suspicion is directed towards me. "Let's go. You don't need to be here."

"Wait!" he protests and I have to stop when she does or risk bowling her over. His eyes are frantic. "At least let's swap numbers? I'll feel better knowing you can reach me if you need anything." He shoots another look full of distrust at me.

I want to tell him to go fuck himself, but I grit my teeth. It's Sloan's decision. And if we get his phone number, I can trace him a hell of a lot easier. She looks up at me for guidance and I'm careful to keep my expression neutral.

"It's your decision and I'll support you no matter what you choose," I tell her. It's one of the hardest things I've done, keeping my voice gentle and accepting.

Uncertain blue-green orbs watch me for another moment, the plea for me to decide clear. But I can't make this choice for her. Her life is her own now, no matter what I want. When she realizes I won't take the decision from her, she sucks in a shuddering breath before nodding.

"Okay." Sloan carefully draws the used phone Sydney gave her since she'd refused a new one from us and opens her contacts. "What's your number?"

Paul doesn't bother looking at me before rattling off the ten digits. When it's saved, she sends him a text--his phone notifying him with the default sound.

"I'm glad you got out," Sloan tells him. He might not notice how brittle she sounds, but I do. She looks up at me, her eyes conflicted. "Can we go back to the hotel now?"

I lean down, slow enough to wait for any sign she's uncomfortable, and press a soft kiss to the crown of her hair. "Of course, love."

I don't bother with a farewell to Paul. The fucker doesn't deserve shit from Sloan, let alone her phone number. But I won't control her. Though if she wants to meet up with him, I don't think I'll be able to let that happen. Some things are too far for me when it comes to my mate.

She's silent and withdrawn the entire way to my bike, accepting my help onto the bike with a murmured thank you. I pull out my phone and message Stubs asking him to find everything he can about Paul. I want to know what his fucking favorite cereal is and what underwear he wears. Everything. I start the bike, the engine roaring for me when I can't. Sloan holds on to me, pressing herself against my back as I ride away.

That cold gulf between us is still there.