Wynter ran her hands through her curls and attempted to lasso her hair into a scrunchie. When she reached back to do so, she felt a small raised area near her neck. Had he bitten her? Given her a ‘love bite’? Yes he did. And damn, that had been hot. She remembered how the slight pain had pushed her into another orgasm when he’d done it. Was that some kind of kinky wolf trick? Maybe next time, she’d bite him back? She smiled at the thought.
Wynter’s focus drifted back to what they were about to do. I’ll be safe…I’ll be safe. She kept saying the mantra over and over. She knew that Logan wouldn’t have agreed to let her go if he didn’t think he could keep her out of harm’s way. If she could just get her hands on the data, she might be able to cure Emma. As she stared at her face in the mirror, she promised to herself that she’d keep her eye on the prize.
“Brought sandwiches,” Dimitri commented, taking a big bite out of his po’Boy.
“Thanks, been so busy, I haven’t even thought to eat. Are Zeke and Jake ready?” Logan asked.
“Yeah, they’re over at my place loading the cars. You ready?”
“Born ready.” Logan sat down at the kitchen table, grabbed a muffuletta and started eating.
“Anything you want to get off your chest?” Dimitri noticed his Alpha had been avoiding eye contact with him since he’d come down, which was unusual. Yeah, Logan was definitely trying to dodge talking about something.
“Just eatin’ my sandwich. These are good. Where’d you get them?”
“So how’s that new table workin’ for ya?” Dimitri thought he’d try another tactic. Oh, he’d heard, all right. It almost made him want to go try to find his own mate…almost.
“Fuck off, D.”
Laughing, Dimitri almost choked on his food. Bingo. He’d hit the topic.
“You know that I’ll never be able to concentrate in there again, don’t you? Don’t worry, I didn’t stay for the show,” he assured him, wagging his eyebrows.
“She’s my mate,” Logan stated nonchalantly, waiting for the ribbing that didn’t come.
“Guessed as much. Does she know?”
“No way, man. She hasn’t even shifted. I mean, you’ve talked to her. She hasn’t spent a lot of time with wolves. What I mean is that even though she lives with Jax, it sounds like he keeps the pack activities on the down-low.”
“Full moon’s soon. She’s goin’ have to learn,” Dimitri advised and took another bite.
“Yeah, there’s something else.” Logan casually placed his sandwich on his plate and proceeded to drop the bomb. “I marked her. And before you ask, she doesn’t know.”
“What?” Dimitri involuntarily spit his food out in surprise.
“And here’s the thing, D, I know I should feel guilty or something rational like that.” Logan leaned back and closed his eyes thoughtfully and then stared over to Dimitri. “But I don’t. I feel fucking great. I guess I’m an asshole to feel that way. But I’m tellin’ ya, it just feels good…really good. She’s mine, and I want others to know it. And in that conference room, she was just so…I can’t even tell you what it was like. She’s beautiful. Playful. Spirited. My wolf…he just wanted her so much.”
“Listen, you can’t beat yourself up about this. You’re a wolf. This is what we do. You know it. And I know it. It feels right because that’s how it’s meant to be. She’ll understand when you tell her.” Dimitri stood, slapped Logan on the shoulder and walked over to the sink. “So when are you going to tell her?”
“Tonight. But not until we get back. Right now, I’ve gotta focus on what we’re about to do. Did you bring that item I asked for?”
“Yep, right there on the counter.” Dimitri pointed to a holster and gun.
“Okay, thanks. Here she comes,” Logan warned, hearing Wynter walking toward the kitchen. “Hey, sweetheart. D brought dinner.”
Logan offered her the tray and hoped plying her with food would soften her for what he was about to suggest next.
Wynter joined them, took a sandwich off the plate and bit into it. “Oh. My. God. This is awesome. I could so live down here. Between the beignets and everything else I might weigh five thousand pounds, but who cares?” She laughed.
After a few minutes had passed, Logan stood, took his plate to the sink and then picked up the bag sitting on the counter.
“I’ve got something for you,” he told her. He pulled the Lady Smith out of the holster and checked the safety.
“What the…?” she gaped.
“It’s a gun, Wyn.”
“Yes, I can see that,” she stammered. “But do you really think this is necessary?”
“Yeah, I do. I’m not taking any chances. When we go in, you’re staying locked in the car with Jake. But just in case…always need a plan B,” he replied, continuing to check to make sure everything that he’d requested was there. Logan took the magazine out of the gun, checked it and set it down.
The reality of what they were about to do made Wynter stop and take a breath. Even though she had to do it, it would be difficult to go back to the same place where she’d been held captive. No longer having an appetite, she wiped her mouth with a napkin and pushed the plate aside.
“Come over here,” Logan told her. Wynter got up from the table and stood next to him, watching him work.
“Here you go…just lift your arms,” Logan instructed, slipping her arms through the black leather shoulder holster. He adjusted the straps so it fit properly. “There you go. Have you ever used a gun?”
“Well, yes, but…” She straightened her back and moved her arms, trying to get used to the feel of it on her body.
“When was the last time you went shooting?” He looked her over, waiting on her response.
“Well, it’s not like I’m a sharpshooter, but Jax insisted that I have one. You know, late night in the city and all that good stuff. Honestly though, I don’t carry it with me most days.”
“When was the last time you used it?”
“I don’t know.” She rubbed her hand over her forehead, trying to think. Geez, had it been that long? “Maybe a year ago?”
“Better than nothing. Take it out and let me see you load it.”
She did as he asked, and then promptly put the gun back into its sheath.
“That’s a girl. Now, let’s review what we’ve got, okay? Silver bullets. Eight in a clip. There’s loaded magazines ready to go both here and here.” He pointed to the ammunition pouches attached to her holster.
She nodded, but her expression didn’t match her assent. Her brow knotted in worry.
“You’re going to be safe, Wyn. If something happens, do whatever Jake tells you, okay? Also, there are stakes in the car. Lots of them. Take one with you when you get the go ahead to come into the lab. Just in case.”
“Got it,” she said with determination. Grabbing a bottle of water, she unscrewed the top and took a long drink, wishing it was whiskey. When she looked up, two large men walked into the kitchen.
“Jake, Zeke, meet Wynter. She’s my…uh,” he fumbled for the word. Mate. No, not the time. “Girlfriend.”
Logan glanced over to catch her reaction. Her face flamed, and she failed to hide the smile evident in her eyes. Yep, girlfriend worked just fine.
“Nice to meet you, Wynter. I’m Jake,” said the taller man. His blond hair was tightly cropped. He confidently strode around the table and joined them. If she hadn’t known any better, she would have thought law enforcement. Maybe military?
The other wolf, standing at the door with his arms crossed, merely gave her a nod. His cool demeanor bristled Wynter. She wondered what his issue was, that he couldn’t even offer up a simple ‘hello’, and determined that maybe her presence wasn’t welcome. Wynter made eye contact with him and set her bottle on the counter.