Chapter 18

18

S teel

Jen finally leaves the general’s office. It feels like she was in there forever when it was barely ten minutes.

I jump to my feet as soon as she walks out, closing the door behind her, but not before I catch a glimpse of the lieutenant. Those bastards ganged up on her.

“All good?” I ask.

She nods once. “All good.” She doesn’t look that great. Her eyes are clouded, and her features are pinched. I hope those assholes weren’t bullying her. After her ordeal yesterday, she doesn’t deserve it.

“You sure?” I narrow my eyes, walking toward her.

“We’ll be in touch, Miss Harris,” the PA says over me, smiling at Jen before giving me a disapproving look.

“Thank you,” Jen says. “Hopefully before the end of today?” She lifts her brows, waiting for confirmation.

“The general just sent me the requested changes to the document. It isn’t much work at all. I’ll have the contract sent to your apartment later for your perusal.”

Contract? There’s a contract? Probably a good thing. There seemed to be a ton of gray areas before.

“Thank you,” Jen says. “I’ll get Steel to let you know once it’s ready for collection.”

“You be sure to take care of the human.” I get another glare from the PA. “Try to do your job this time, Steel. I have to say, I’m not sure how you weaseled your way back or how you even got this assignment in the first place. If it were up to me…” She shakes her head.

“It’s good to see you, too.” I narrow my eyes. “It’s been so long that I’ve forgotten your name. It’s good to know that I was missed around here.” And pigs fly.

The PA snorts. “You weren’t gone nearly long enough, if you ask me.”

She’s so fucking sweet. Good thing I didn’t ask her.

“I hope you have a wonderful day.” I’m not engaging. It won’t help. I used to get into fights. Not anymore. It isn’t worth it.

I put my hand on Jen’s back for a second, steering her toward the door. We leave the offices and walk to the black SUV parked outside. There are two more, with males waiting inside them.

I nod in greeting.

With a push of a button, I unlock the doors, and Jen gets into the passenger side and buckles in. I get behind the wheel and start the car.

“What was that?” Jen asks. “About you not being gone long enough.” I can feel her eyes on me.

“It’s a long story.” I reverse the SUV, my eyes on the camera on the dash and then on the rearview mirror. As always, one vehicle is up ahead, and another is behind us.

“It sounds like you used to work as a guard and then that you were gone for a while and only recently returned.”

“That’s right.” I flip on the indicator and ease into a lane. There’s still a fair amount of morning traffic.

“You didn’t leave on good terms?”

I snort. “You could say that. I was fired. I’m lucky I escaped serious jail time…or being banished.” I’m lucky I got away with my life. Although, lucky is subjective.

“Four years ago, by any chance? Is that when they let you go?”

I glance her way. Her big, blue eyes are scrutinizing me. There’s no judgment there.

I nod once. “Yep, that’s about right.” I indicate and turn.

“Did it have something to do with this mystery woman you’re always looking for… and a death that happened?”

“A death that was all my fault. It’s not something I want to talk about. Tell me about this contract. What happened in the meeting?” I steer the conversation into safer territory. I’m not dredging up my past. It follows me around like a dark cloud, whether I like it or not. “Tell me all about it. What did they have to say for themselves? Especially the general. What were his excuses about that bastard duke?”

Her shoulders slump. “You mean you didn’t hear any of it? I thought shifters had superior hearing. I was hoping you listened in.”

“We do have better senses than you humans, but they soundproof all of the royal offices. Many of the areas in the palace are soundproof. Bottom line, I couldn’t hear a thing.” I give a one-shouldered shrug, glancing her way. “You’re going to have to fill me in.”

“That’s a pity.” She looks downtrodden, although I’m not sure why.

“What did they say?” I urge after a few seconds have gone by. I’m all ears.

“They started out with an apology,” she says. Then Jen goes over what happened. I get pissed when she tells me how blasé they were about Huntington.

“No harm done. He used those words?” I growl, my hands tightening on the wheel.

“Yep.” She nods, relaying the next part of the conversation.

“A misunderstanding? Holy fucking shit. Their idea of a misunderstanding and my idea of a misunderstanding are two very different things.” Irritation and anger swirl through me.

“Don’t you worry, I set the record straight,” Jen says, throwing me a smile. Her dimples come out. She has one on the left and two on the right. Her eyes dance. She’s fucking beautiful. She’s looking better, a little lighter, somehow.

“Good, because I will refuse to leave you alone with any of them again. I hope you told them that.”

“I did.” I feel her staring at me. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re so cute when you get mad?” Jen teases me like she has in the past. This time, instead of getting irritated, I feel…something else. Something I shouldn’t.

“No! I’m not cute. No flirting. Did you forget that rule? We spoke about this. Now, tell me what happened next.” My voice has gone all growly with irritation. I keep my eyes on the road.

“There he is.” Jen laughs. “I was getting worried you might be getting soft on me. That Mr. Leave-Me-Alone-To-Be-All-Brooding stopped being brooding.”

“Nothing has changed, Jen. You’re still my ward. I’m still—”

She squeals and then gasps, putting her hand over her gaping mouth. Her eyes are wide.

“What?”

“You just called me, Jen. You called me by my first name instead of my last name. Miss Harris ,” she says in this voice that’s supposed to be an imitation of me but falls short by a mile. Then she laughs. “It’s going to snow. It’s going to freaking snow.” She looks out the window at the perfectly clear sky above us. “Any second now.”

“Stop being weird, or I’ll go back to calling you Miss Harris.”

“Don’t do that, Mr. Grey.” She winks at me.

I have to hold back a smile. No! I refuse to smile. I won’t. “By the way, that movie sucked. Fifty Shades, it sucked big time.”

“Take that back. Take it back right now. It did not suck. You should read the books. They were amazing. Although, I liked the movies just fine. Did you watch them all? How can you even say that?”

“No, I didn’t watch them all.” I shake my head. “Not my vibe.”

“Hot sex isn’t your vibe?” she asks. “Is that what you’re saying?”

“All the spanking wasn’t my thing…okay? That’s all.” I would prefer to talk about something else, anything else.

“No, that’s not okay. You threatened to spank me when we first met. Have you forgotten about that?”

“I threatened you with an actual spanking, not spanking of a sexual nature,” I set the record straight.

“I didn’t know there was a difference. You’ll have to explain that to me, please. I want details. In fact, I would love for you to write down the differences between actual spanking and spanking of a sexual nature.” She’s grinning.

“Stop.” I laugh under my breath.

“Oh, my god.” She grabs her chest and looks up at the sky. “We’re going to have a blizzard. We’re going to end up buried under ten feet of snow.”

My chest shakes with another laugh, but I work to hold it back.

“Twenty feet of powder is coming our way. Get your coat and your snow boots out,” she says, grinning. “You’re laughing and smiling.” She makes a face. “How is it that you’re still hot when you smile? That’s not even fair.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” I’m still smiling. I should stop now, but it feels good. Better than good. It feels great, actually. It’s been so long since I smiled and meant it. “And it can’t snow on this island because we’re too close to the equator. It’s over a hundred degrees out there.”

“It’s nice to see you smile. That’s all. Anyway, they agreed to give my family a ten thousand dollar advance if I agreed to sign a contract. I asked for a few changes to the document.”

“Did they agree to all the changes?”

“Most of them. All but one, but they’re not going to add it right away. I have to take the general’s word that he will help to get my family to Mistveil.”

“You want them to come here?” I frown.

She levels me with a look. “You don’t even believe in their existence.”

I turn into the basement, heading for the underground parking beneath the castle. I maneuver into our assigned spot. “I’m not sure what to believe, Jen. I want to believe you. I’m…” I shake my head. “I’m sorry, but I… It’s tough for me, okay?”

One of the SUVs parks next to us. I fucking hate having a shadow, but it is what it is.

“Because someone hurt you. Some woman hurt you really badly. Someone you may have cared for deeply. You trusted her, and she lied to you, and someone died.”

Jen is a smart female. I’ll give her that. I nod. I don’t elaborate.

“Now you have a hard time trusting others. Am I warm? Hot, even?”

“Yes, but it isn’t something I want to get into with you. It’s not personal, Jen. I need to do my job, keep you safe, get you to your mating ceremony and into your new mate’s care. That’s where this ends. It has to.” The air suddenly feels a little charged. The basement, although lit, isn’t as bright as it was outside, and in the confines of the vehicle, it suddenly feels like too much. Jen is looking at me. There isn’t much space between us. It feels hot inside the SUV.

Thankfully, there are eyes on us.

“Let’s get you inside,” I say, getting out of the car. I go around and open her door.

Jen slides out. “Yep. Of course. I mean, you know I’m just teasing you, right? I mean about the snow and your smile and all of that.”

I nod. What felt like teasing before doesn’t feel like teasing anymore. I’m not sure what changed. When did I stop getting irritated and frustrated with this female? When did I start leaning toward believing her story about a family that needs her?

I have started to believe her, and it scares the living shit out of me. What if she’s lying? She could be. It doesn’t matter either way. I need to do my job. I need to stay focused.

“I know you don’t mean it when you’re teasing me…of course.” I nod. “We’re still not friends, Jen.”

I see her eyes cloud with hurt, but I ignore it. I have to. I have to do my job. If I don’t, she could get hurt. Someone innocent could end up in the crossfire. I can’t let that happen. I won’t.

“My top priority is my job,” I tell her as we walk to the elevator.

“My top priority is providing for my family.”

I press the button with the ‘up’ arrow on it.

“This will all be over in a couple of weeks. You’ll be mated, and I’ll be…” I swallow thickly. I have no idea where I’ll be or what I’ll be doing. I’m not sure I’m staying. The general didn’t even tell Arctic that I was back. The king isn’t happy about it, and I can’t say I blame him.

“Where will you be?” she asks, looking at me like she cares. Maybe she does.

“I—”

The elevator dings and opens, saving me.

“Jen,” a male says from inside; he sounds both shocked and elated. He’s in full uniform, including a mask, which he quickly pulls off his head. I recognize him instantly. There is a lopsided grin on his face. “How are you? I hoped I would run into you.”

“Rex!” Jen rushes into the elevator and wraps her arms around him. “It’s so good to see you.”

The male hugs her back, and I have to hold back a growl. I go inside, holding the door open for Rex. “Isn’t this where you get out?” I ask him.

“I’m going up,” Rex says, still holding onto Jen and not even looking my way. It’s complete bullshit since he just came down to this level.

I nod. The door closes, and I push the number for our floor.

Rex doesn’t push anything.

“This is my guard, Steel.” Jen finally pulls away from Rex’s embrace.

“Oh…hi.” Rex glances my way for a split second, looking back at Jen. He is practically drooling over her.

“How are you? I mean, after…after…you know…you were whipped.” Her voice hitches. “I’m so sorry, I—”

“It’s fine. I’m fine.” Rex grins. “No harm done. I’m a big, strong shifter. I healed up in a day.” He shrugs. “I only wish you’d…” His eyes go to the camera in the elevator. “Fuck it,” he says. “I only wish you’d got it right. That you actually escaped,” he whispers the last.

“You mean that?” Jen looks up at him with a tender expression on her face. “I thought you hated me for what happened to you.”

“I could never hate you.” The male gives her puppy dog eyes. “You told me all about your family. I can understand why you would want to get back to them. I could hear the longing in your voice whenever you spoke of Caleb and your mom.”

The elevator dings and opens.

Thank fuck! We’re here. Instead of letting us leave, Rex goes to stand in front of the sensor of the open door. “I don’t blame you one bit, Jen.” He takes her hand. “I would have done the same.” His eyes cloud. “I hear they have you meeting with males and that you will be mating one of them soon. This according to some of the rumors making their way around the palace. Are they true?”

She nods and forces a smile. I know it’s forced because it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “Yes, it’s for the best. I’ve been offered money to stay on in Mistveil. I’ll send the funds back home. It’s an opportunity I have to take.”

“I’m happy for you, Jen. Now you won’t have to worry anymore. Your family will be taken care of.”

“Exactly.” She nods.

“There was a part of me that was hoping the rumors were false.” He sighs. “You know I would have asked you out. I really like you, and—”

What the fuck!?

“It’s time to go,” I tell Jen, giving her a pointed look.

“One second, please,” she asks, and I nod. Then she looks over at Rex, grinning. “You asked me out all the time, Rex. It wouldn’t be anything new if you asked me again now.” She laughs.

“I know, I couldn’t help it.” He looks down at the floor for a moment, his cheeks reddening. “I will admit that it was wrong of me, but I don’t care. I’m tempted to ask you out right now, even though I can’t help you financially. I—”

“Miss Harris was in your care. You were and still are out of line,” I tell the male. He’s young and dumb. He reminds me of myself some years ago.

Rex really looks at me for the first time since we ran into him. Up until now, his eyes have been plastered on the female. They go wide in recognition. “Steel! You’re the Steel. Fuck! It’s you. You’re a legend. An absolute legend. You rose up the ranks quicker than anyone ever has. Quicker than anyone ever will. I hear you’re somewhat of a legend in The Pit, as well. I’m glad you’re back… Are you even back?” He lifts his eyebrows. His eyes are full of excitement.

“Just for this one assignment,” I tell him. “It’s not permanent.”

He shakes his head. “That’s a pity. For the record, I think you were dealt an unfair hand. I mean, it wasn’t your fault, you—”

“It was my fault. I didn’t follow protocol. I fucked up. I deserved everything I got; in fact, I got off lightly, considering.” I look over at Jen. “We need to go.”

“It was good to see you, Rex. I’m glad you’ve forgiven me and that you understand why I tried to escape. I never meant for you to get into trouble. I still can’t believe that the general whipped you like that, and for something I did.” Her eyes fill with tears.

“It wasn’t that bad.” He winks at her.

“I hate that you’ve been demoted.” Jen sniffs, clearly holding back tears. “I’m so sorry.”

“There is nothing to forgive. I’ll get promoted again soon enough. Take care of yourself.”

“You, too,” Jen says. “You’re a good guy, Rex.”

I roll my eyes as they hug. Rex holds on for far too fucking long.

“We need to go,” I growl as Rex rubs his hands up and down her back, pulling her in closer.

“Of course,” Rex says, finally letting her go. “Bye, Jen.” He waves at her with one hand.

“Bye.” She waves back as we start to walk. “I’m so glad he’s okay and that he doesn’t blame me. He’s such a sweet guy,” Jen says as we reach our apartment.

“He’s not sweet. An idiot? Yes. Sweet? Not so fucking much.”

“What? How can you say that? You heard him; he’s forgiven me. He never even blamed me in the first place.”

“That’s because he wants to fuck you,” I tell her as I open the door to the apartment.

She gasps. “That’s not true.” We go inside. “He likes me. You heard him, he wants to date me. There is a difference.”

“Nope, there really isn’t. He was eye-fucking you in that elevator. He wants in your panties. Actually, he wants you out of your panties. He wants to rip them clean off you.”

“Really?” Her eyes are wide, and her chest is heaving. And what a chest it is. “What else does he want to do to me?” Her voice is husky and low.

I’m not so sure we’re even talking about Rex anymore. Her pupils are blown. Her nipples are hard. Holy shit!

“He wants to bend you over and to fuck you so hard that you forget your own damned name. He wants to make you come harder than you ever have before. He isn’t sweet or any of those other things. You’d feel him afterward…between your legs and deep inside.”

Jen swallows so thickly that the sound reverberates around the whole room. Then she uses her thumb to point at the bedroom door. Her throat works. “I’d better get ready. I’m seeing another candidate in an hour or two.”

“No, you’re not. I just got a message to say that it’s been canceled.” I hold up my new cellphone. It was delivered earlier. “They want you to sign that contract first. Your meetings will commence once the document is finalized.”

“Oh…um…okay. I’m going to…um…get some rest. I’m tired.” She fake-yawns and runs away, throwing her bedroom door closed behind her.

She leaves behind the scent of her arousal. My dick is so hard that it’s pressing up against the zipper of my jeans. I’m sure it’ll leave an indentation. I sniff the air and groan.

What the fuck was that?

What the actual fuck.

When did the conversation turn to us? I wasn’t speaking about Rex, and neither was she. Her arousal sure as shit isn’t for Rex. She liked hearing me talk dirty. It turned her on. My cock is throbbing, and my balls are tight. The thought of putting her tight ass in the air does all sorts of things to me.

I’d better tread carefully in the coming weeks. That kind of talk can’t happen again. I can’t make the same mistakes again. Even if Jen is telling the truth about everything, I can’t lose focus and put her at risk. I need to leave her the hell alone.

The fact of the matter is that within the next two weeks, she’s going to pick a mate. She’s going to mate for money. Her reasons for doing so are not important. The fact that it’s happening is.

I’m attracted to her. For the first time in years, I want a female, only I can’t have her. I can’t. It’s really as simple as that.