12. Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Cain

M y heart's racing, and it takes every ounce of self-control I have left to stop kissing her. My thumbs wipe away the streams of tears from her cheeks as her eyes, lit with their orange flames, stare at me with a million questions behind them. I wish I could answer every one of them. The uncertainty she feels is only slightly covered by the trust I see hiding within them.

I won't hurt you, Firefly. Never again.

The words don't come, and I hope she can read my mind; see the peace holding her brings me. My wolf hasn't been this calm since the last time I was inside her, and I plan to remind her of that very moment just as soon as we get out of this weather. Her nose is pink, and her breath comes out in small puffs.

"Let's get you out of this cold," I say as I kiss the top of her freckled nose, causing her to scrunch it in the most adorable way.

Her hand laces with mine as we find our way to the rental. Neither of us speaks as we fall into a comfortable stroll. It's as if any words spoken would pop the bubble this moment sits in. The idea that she wants to hold onto this feeling as much as I do brings a smile to my face.

I pull open her door and help her inside before walking around to the driver's side. Once the engine is on, I crank the heat to its maximum setting in an attempt to get her warmed up. As we drive back to my hotel, her eyes scan the city with a hint of awe that puts the slightest doubt in my stomach.

She loves it here.

Instead of focusing on it, I stuff the feeling deep down into the worry about it later category and pull into a parking spot.

"Wait here for just a second. I want to make sure we weren't followed," I say as she grabs her door handle.

"Oh, yeah. Okay," she responds, her jaw clenching as I see her remember the predicament she's in.

"Firefly," I say, placing my hand on her thigh and pulling her eyes to mine. "You're safe with me. Always," I finish, squeezing my hold before jumping out of the car.

Once outside, I lean into my wolf senses: listening, scenting the air, even scanning the lot for anything out of place. Once it's clear, I circle to Bri's side, pulling my phone out to text Carter.

Back at the hotel, no sign of trouble. The car's on the east side lot.

Got it. We will be back within the hour.

Then I text Jess.

Report.

Hotel is clear. The owner is pack council, so we're safe here. No competition staying on site. You're in 320 under your usual alias.

I drop my phone back into my pocket and pull open her door. Her scent hits me immediately, and I close my eyes to hold onto it.

"Is everything okay?" she asks, her voice small as she climbs out, and I reopen my eyes.

"Yeah. I just miss you," I say, extending my hand for her to grab before guiding her to our room.

Jess checked us in under pseudonyms, so I walk up to the front desk, placing a polite smile on my face.

The woman behind the counter visibly brightens when her eyes hit me, and I pull Bri closer to my side on instinct.

"Welcome! Are you checking in?" she asks, focusing all her attention on me, and I feel Bri physically pull back.

"Why yes, my wife and I are," I say, releasing her hand and throwing my arm around her shoulders. I see the shock hit her face for a moment before she masks it and plays along.

"Of course," the woman says, finally glancing at Bri with a forced grin before placing her gaze solidly back on me and continuing. "Name?"

"Elliot Woods," I answer and feel Bri tense under my arm as the woman pulls me up in the computer.

"Of course, Mr. Woods. I just need to see an ID and take a credit card from you to put on file for the room," she continues, still keeping all her focus on me.

My wolf bristles at the disrespect she shows my Mate, and I clench my teeth, forcing the control it takes to hold back a growl.

I set the requested items on the counter while squeezing Bri's shoulder in an effort to relax her.

"Alright, Mr. Woods, you're all checked in. Breakfast is served in the main lobby from 6 am to 9 am daily, and coffee is always served in that room. Pool and spa are open from 10 am to 10 pm, and you will find additional towels in your suite. We have you in 320, up the elevator to the right. If you need anything at all, please don't hesitate to call down," she finishes and slides the electronic cards for our room along with a property map back across the counter.

I grab my identification, credit card, room keys, and paperwork before turning away, leaving the flirtatious attendant there with a nod. We walk silently. Bri's posture is stiff, and I'm sure her mind is full of new questions that pour out the minute the elevator door closes.

"Elliot Woods? Is Cain even your real name?" She steps out of my grasp, and the absence of her heat has me reaching for her again.

"Yes. My name is really Cain. Cain Arthur Mingan," I pull her back into me, tipping her chin so she can't look away. "You know who I am, Firefly. I've always been the real me when I'm with you."

Her eyes fall closed, and she exhales. The tension slips from her shoulders before she looks back at me.

"Arthur, huh?" she smiles, teasing me.

"Caught that, did you… Yes, my dad always was a fan of the Knights of the Round Table. It took him months to convince my mom," I reply with a small laugh as the doors to the elevator open.

"Was a fan? Is he still.." she hesitates, dragging out the word.

"Still is, and he's still driving my mom crazy. They live in an RV and travel with the seasons. Mom complains that the heat in Vegas is just too much, so she spends time visiting family all over. Usually, they make it back for Thanksgiving and Christmas, but with everything going on, I asked them not to this year," I finish, realizing I haven't seen them since late April and wonder if I should have them come back for my birthday in a few weeks.

I'd love for them to meet Bri.

My Mate.

Mom's going to love her.

Opening the door to the suite, I guide Bri into the room. She takes in the space and paces toward the balcony, picking at her fingernails absently. I give her space, allowing her to find her bearings, savoring every minute I get to be in her presence.

"I'm sorry all this has kept you from seeing them. It sounds like you are close," she says, sincerity filling her voice while her eyes avoid mine.

"It's okay, Firefly. Everything will calm down, and they'll stop back in Vegas. I keep in touch with them. Mom even learned how to video call. Now I just need her to stop putting me to her ear." I laugh at the memory of the last phone call. Dad had to physically pull the device from her ear three times because she kept moving it.

I miss them.

The thought is quick but fills me with an underlying need to bring together the people I love.

"Maybe when they come down, you could meet them," I continue with a bit of hope leaking in as I sit on the end of the bed.

She stops her pacing, turning to look at me, and I can see she's examining me. Every part of me wishes I could read her mind in moments like these because her expression reveals only the questions she has bouncing around.

"I'd like that," she replies, a small smile pulling on the side of her mouth before she continues. "Can't say I'd want you to meet mine." She shrugs, rolling her eyes, and I call her on the lie she just slipped up on.

"I thought you told me they passed away?" I counter, my eyebrow raising to challenge her. The minute the words are out, I see her tense, and guilt fills me. My comment was meant to be playful, and the last thing I want is her back on the defensive. "It's okay, Firefly; I got a file on you before we met, remember? I know about your mom," I say, standing and walking over to her. I'm careful to move slowly, knowing my approach could cause her to pull away, but surprisingly, she lets me wrap her in my arms.

"She may still be breathing, but she was dead to me the minute she cost me Sammy." Her words lack emotion, and I know the years since the crash have hardened her heart toward her mother. Every fiber of my being wishes I could take away the pain.

"I'm so sorry, Firefly." My lips fall to her hair. My arms tighten around her as she stands there, fused to my chest like the missing piece to my puzzle.

"It's fine. I mean, it's not, but there's nothing that can fix what happened. The accident changed me. Part of me died with my brother in that car, and I wouldn't be who I am if I hadn't had to overcome losing him and surviving the foster system."

"Why did they put you into the foster system instead of with your father?" I ask. Despite Presley's attempts to piece together her history, it's a question we have no answer for.

"They would have to know who he was. I don't know if they ever got an answer out of Elaine. She always lied to me, saying she never knew his name, only met him once, and couldn't ever find him again to tell him she was pregnant. At least that's what she told me the two times I asked. The only thing I know about him is that I have his eyes, which wasn't really surprising since hers were crystal blue, but she hated that they matched his. Makes me wonder what actually happened with them because you don't hate a one-night stand or carry that for years," she shrugs as she explains.

"Could be he just disappeared. We know he was the one who gave you the shifter gene because Elaine doesn't carry it. We checked her out once we found out who and what you are. She never said anything about where he was from? An accent? A team logo, nothing?" I ask, wondering if we could find him for her and give her a piece of her history back.

"Nope. Nothing. Honestly, until I found out I was Unawakened, I never really thought about him. I was more concerned with surviving and getting away from her. I've fought hard not to become her. I think Sammy would be proud of who I've become," she says, pulling back to look at me. Her eyes threaten tears, but the confidence in her declaration shows me how much she believes the words.

"How could he not be? You're strong, intelligent, driven, and you have compassion and empathy for everyone you meet. You not only survived that tragedy, you're thriving, and he's definitely keeping tabs on you from up with The Fates. Especially if he knows how much trouble you like to attract," I say, dropping a kiss on her nose.

She smiles.

"He always said I was too curious. Always asking why, never letting anything go," she adds, getting a faraway look in her eyes as she reminisces.

"So… you haven't changed that much," I say, taking her hit to my chest with a chuckle.

Our eyes meet, and heat fills the silence between us. I wait, allowing her to decide—to take the next step.

Tipping her chin, her lips reach for mine. The kiss is gentle, almost questioning, and I can feel her holding back. My arms pull her into me as I deepen it, allowing my feelings for her to pour into the kiss.

I need her to know she's it for me. I'm hers, and I'm not going anywhere. My tongue teases her bottom lip, and I bite down gently before she opens for me, giving in to the moment with a small moan.

The sound goes straight to my cock, and causes my heart to speed up. My hand slides up the back of her neck and into her hair, tugging it to tilt her head back, giving me more access. Her nails bite into the fabric at my back, and I realize we have far too much clothing on.

My hands slide down to her ass, and I lift her up, never breaking the kiss. Her legs wrap around me, and I turn to bring her to the bed, laying her down beneath me.

"Is this what you want, Firefly? I will stop right now if it isn't, but if this is what you want, I need you to say it," I ask, breaking contact and panting. I know this is what I want and what my wolf wants, but I need to hear the words from her.

She nods, her eyes mirroring my lust-filled haze.

"Yes, I want this. I need you."

She barely finishes before my mouth is back on her, and I'm reaching for her shirt.

"God, I love you, Firefly. You're fucking perfect," I say, kissing the line down her jaw. She tenses, her eyes flying to mine, and I realize I've said the words out loud.

Shit.

"I mean, fuck. I'm sorry. I didn't mean for it to come out like that. Not that they aren't real. I mean every one of them, but I didn't want the first time to be like this." I drop my forehead to her chest, mad at myself for blurting out my feelings, knowing she's still trying to figure out hers.

"Cain…" she says quietly, and I try to put up my defenses, knowing what comes next.

I fucked this all up…again.

My head lifts, and I see tears pooling in her eyes.

No… No…No.

"Look, I…" I start trying to say anything to get back to who we were a minute ago.

"I love you too," she interrupts me. All the air leaves my lungs, and I'm not sure I heard her right.

"What? Say that again," I demand, shutting up this time and giving her all my attention.

"I love you too, Cain Arthur Mingan." She repeats, smiling as she adds my middle name. I'm stunned. "I have for a while, I've just been fighting myself. But I don't want to anymore. I love you," she finishes.

Her face mirrors the emotions, and I feel like my chest explodes. My lips smash into hers with every bit of emotion I have. It's no longer slow, sweet, or gentle but rather an outpouring of every bit of love I've held back over the last few weeks.

She matches my intensity and reaches for my shirt, her teeth tugging on my bottom lip as she pulls away to remove it.

"Off," she whispers, and I stand up, reluctantly releasing my grip from her to remove the garment. Just as it hits the floor, I'm interrupted.

Dante: We have a problem. LLC moved the timeline. They are there to take Brielle.

Cain: What do you mean "there"? In Vegas?

Dante: No. At your hotel. Downstairs. Carter is waiting with them in the lobby.

Cain: What the fuck? You don't actually expect me to hand her over to them…

"Cain…. You okay?" her voice pulls my attention back to her.

"Dante," I say, pointing to my head.

"Well, that's a new one… Can't say I've ever been cock blocked by mind messages from a best friend before," she says, her voice still sounding amused.

Dante: We don't have a choice.

Cain: You can't ask me to do this.

Dante: I'm not asking.

"And… based on your face, this isn't good news," she adds, causing me to shake my head.

"The LLC wants to bring you in for questioning," I say, running my hand through my hair and trying to get my heart rate back under control.

Not now. Not when I finally have her back.

"Okay…. Dante said I might have to give a statement or something," she says, sitting up and adjusting her clothes.

"They're downstairs right now," I say, wincing as I see her shocked expression.

"Now?!? It's nearly midnight. I have work tomorrow. I can't go now. I don't even have my suitcase!" I almost laugh at the absurdity of the fact that she is heading into a literal wolf's den, and she's worried about her clothes.

"Ghost should have dropped it off at the front desk, and if he hasn't, I'll grab it before I get on our plane."

"I'll come with you," she says, standing up.

My fists clench as I fight my wolf.

"You can't. They'll have you on their plane to ensure no interference. The contract is still live," I say, hating the fact that I can't stay with her.

"You aren't going with me?" she asks, her face falling and fear filling it for the first time.

I walk to her, wrapping her into me.

"If there was any way I could stay with you, I would. I'll be there right behind you, and Dante will be flying in from Vegas on our other jet. You won't be alone for long."

"What about Ghost? Is he with the LLC? Is he going to be with me?" she asks, her voice only shaking a little.

"No, Firefly. He isn't. He won't be able to come with us, not that he would if he could. He hates the LLC."

"So I'm on my own," she says, and I realize she isn't saying these things to me—she's saying them to herself.

"Only for a few hours. Then, the entire pack council will be there to back you up, and Noah is the best lawyer around. He will find a way out of this. You can do this, Firefly. Don't say anything to anyone or let anyone touch you." I kiss her forehead, memorizing the way she feels in my arms, before grabbing her and taking her out of the room.

I swear if The Fates let anything happen to her…