“Is she dead?” he asks.

  “I don’t know. She was pretty bad when I came looking for you.”

  He doesn’t respond to that. I can’t tell if he wants her to be dead or if he wants her to stay alive so he can kill her himself.

  “Where’s Tripp?”

  I hesitate. “In a motel somewhere outside Burke.”

  He frowns. “What’s he doing there?”

  “He’s been detained.”

  His expression darkens. “For what?”

  “Talking shit, I guess.” At his confusion, I add, “He accused Jadick of slipping me something to mute my wolf or prolong my healing—”

  “Healing from what?” His concern is instant and eclipsing of everything.

  “I was shot,” I say, touching my shoulder where the wound is still tender to the touch. “You don’t remember? Outside on the steps when Thiago—”

  “Right. Yes.” He shakes his head as if to clear it. His frown remains. “You aren’t healed yet?”

  “No.” I sigh. “My wolf is still out of reach. I can’t shift, and I’m still pretty weak.”

  “You think Jadick drugged you?”

  “I don’t know. Tripp thinks so. Tripp thinks it was Jadick trying to drug me and manipulate me from the start.”

  “And Jadick locked him up for it.” His voice is grim.

  I nod.

  He’s quiet for a moment. I can see him thinking through all the pieces that have changed places on the board since he was left here. My stomach clenches as I wait for him to guess which place is mine now. But he only asks, “Am I still a prisoner then?”

  My eyes widen. “No. You’re free.”

  He doesn’t respond, but he doesn’t seem sure about my words.

  “What did Kari… What happened to you here?” I ask when the silence begins to prick at my conscience.

  He looks away. “I’m sure you’ve guessed the answer to that already.”

  My stomach knots as my eyes graze over the many cuts and bruises on his body. His bared skin only offers more of a chance to notice the damage they did to him.

  Torture.

  “You never gave up our location,” I say, my throat tight as I imagine it.

  He looks away. “I couldn’t, not when I knew you were there.”

  I don’t deserve that kind of loyalty.

  “Levi…”

  He leans in, bringing our foreheads together. His hand slides around the back of my neck, cupping my head. It feels like a prayer, this moment together. Like a dream. Now I know what he meant about this not feeling real.

  “Mac, you have no idea how much I worried… How much I hoped you stayed out of her reach. All that mattered was your safety. You were what kept me going. Hell, it’s the only thing that kept me sane. If that’s what I am.”

  I lift my face to his, unable to help myself. His skin is soft where I press my lips to his cheek.

  “You kept me going, too,” I whisper.

  “After a while…my injuries—the pain—it messed with my head,” he says, his voice hoarse now.

  I draw back, watching him as he struggles to explain.

  “I wasn’t sure what was real anymore,” he tells me. “Or who. Sometimes, I thought you’d come to me, but it only turned out to be Kari or one of her men. After that, time didn’t register. Reality felt … removed. I am ashamed to admit that I would have broken down and told them whatever they’d wanted to know if it weren’t for you. I would have sold out everyone in those moments. Every Jade who relied on me for safety…” He hangs his head in what I realize is shame. “Knowing you were there with them—that’s what kept me from breaking.”

  “That’s not something to be ashamed of,” I tell him. “I only wish I could have been here sooner. Jadick kept putting me off, and my wolf wasn’t strong enough to come alone, and I couldn’t—I couldn’t—”

  “It’s okay. Shh.” He pulls me close again, and this time, I can swear I feel him shaking too as we cry. For each other. For ourselves. For the people we used to be and never will be again.

  “It’s going to be okay,” he says, and I don’t even let my brain think about how untrue those words are.

  Instead, I kiss him.

  There’s no room for healing or care. No thought to his wounds or mine. Only this need. I can’t tell him he’s wrong. It’s selfish of me, but the words just won’t come. So, I kiss him. And I love him with my body hard enough that, hopefully, it won’t matter to him that this will be the only night we’ll ever have.

  It will matter, of course.

  Tomorrow.

  But for tonight, I give him all I can and pretend it will be enough.

  Levi’s tongue sweeps into my mouth, and it’s everything yet still not enough. Desperate for more, I rise up onto my knees, crawling onto his lap and wrapping my arms around his neck. He groans as I settle on top of him, my core pressing directly against his already hard length.

  “Mac,” he says, voice ragged, eyes piercing right through to the tattered remnants of my soul.

  I lean in to kiss him again, but he stops me. “Wait. Let me see you first. I need to touch you.”

  He peels my shirt off and tosses it aside. Then my bra. It falls to the carpet without making a sound. Or maybe I can’t hear it over the rushing in my ears. Levi stares at me for a long moment, my skin tingling with the weight of his gaze. He stares at my shoulder wound, still pink and inflamed where the skin is finally beginning to heal over. After a long moment, he looks lower, to my taut nipples.

  Then he touches me.

  His fingers brush my skin, and I shudder. He smiles softly. I smile back.

  He traces near my wound and frowns, but then his fingers trail lower, and the frown is replaced by concentration. And need.

  His thumb is rough against my already hardened nipple. The moment I feel his hands, a fire ignites in my core. I lean into his touch, arching my back to beg for more. His hand grips my breast, squeezing. Then he moves to the other. And then his mouth is closing over me, sucking and nipping, and I grind into him.

  He groans, and the gentleness of the moment is eclipsed by desperate desire.

  His face is buried between my breasts as I rock into him.

  It’s not enough.

  “More,” I demand. “Please, Levi.”

  He cups my hips and lifts me off him, tossing me onto my back against the soft mattress. His movements reveal no trace of pain or injury as he crawls over me, looking down at my half-exposed body like it’s only the appetizer. His gaze roams lower, and his hand follows, unbuttoning my jeans. Yanking them down my legs. Tossing them aside.

  My core aches until I want to scream with the need for him to touch me. To fill the void inside me.

  The smart thing would be to stop wanting him. But I don’t claim to be smart. Instead, I let the wanting take me over. Then I don’t have to think about tomorrow.

  Levi lowers himself over me, his mouth claiming mine in a hot, plunging kiss. I run my hands over his back and down his hips, shoving at the sweats separating us. His lips curve at my efforts.

  “Not yet,” he says.

  With a trail of soft, slow kisses, he makes his way down my body. He lingers over my breasts then again along my abdomen, his breath tickling the sensitive skin of my thighs. When his mouth closes over my center, I buck off the mattress, gasping. The sensations blind me, and I forget everything but this moment.

  His tongue is masterfully erotic against my clit.

  I can’t breathe, but I no longer need to. All I need is this.

  My orgasm rips through me, loosing a moan that comes from deep within me. Levi doesn’t stop until my legs tremble from the aftermath of what he’s done with my body. I grip the sheets as he rises up on his knees before me—and then I grip him.

  His hard length barely fits in my hand. His taut body remains perfectly still as I stroke him back and forth.

  “Mac.” My name on his lips is a plea.

  It makes me feel powerful in a way I never have before.

  Me, ruling over Levi Wild.

  He groans and suddenly pulls out of my reach, shaking his head. “You’re going to kill me,” he says—a terrible joke considering, but his sexy smile is teasing.

  “I need you,” I say.

  “Do you?” His smile turns villainous as he lowers himself over me. “Tell me about that, Mac. What do you need?”

  His breath is hot against my ear, the whispered words making me ache for him.

  He strokes a hand down my hip and then dips his fingers between our bodies, sliding them through the slickness he’s created. My back arches, my hips rocking to meet his very talented fingers.

  “I need you,” I pant. “Now. Please, Levi.”

  “I’m here,” he whispers, and then his hand is gone and he’s sliding his cock inside me, filling me, stretching me.

  I gasp, my pleasure taking off like a rocket.

  He goes slow, letting me get used to the size of him, but I rock harder and faster against him, urging him onward. Going slow gives me time to think, to remember what this is. I don’t want to do either.

  “Faster,” I beg.

  And he gives me exactly what I want.

  Hard and fast, he rocks into me, sending me higher, drawing sounds from me I’ve never made before.

  “Come for me, Mac. Now,” he orders, his voice taking on an edge on the last word.

  A command.

  And I do.

  With an abandon I’ve never let myself feel before, I come apart right there in his arms. The pleasure sends me soaring, and I don’t bother to stop the cry ripping from my lips. Levi silences me with his kiss, swallowing my screams. And then he’s groaning around our tangled tongues, his own release stiffening his shoulders as he comes too.

  My wolf stirs again, stronger than before. This is what she needed, I realize. Him. Her true mate. I hope that means she’s coming back to me now.

  When our bodies are still again, Levi eases back and looks down at me, his hands on my face tender once again.

  “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that,” he says.

  “I think I have some idea, actually.”

  He grins.

  This man who was tortured for days and days grins like it’s nothing. My heart squeezes with the love I feel for him in this moment.

  “I’m sorry it took me so long,” I say, a lump in my throat.

  “Don’t,” he says firmly. “Don’t ruin this moment by reminding me of all that. You’re here now. We’re together. And as soon as my wolf is able, I’m claiming your ass. I’m not letting you go ever again.”

  My throat closes at his words. Hot tears burn my eyes, and I look away, but not before his face pinches in concern.

  “Whoa, what’s wrong?” he asks, shifting his weight to ease off me. “Are you hurt?”

  “No,” I choke out.

  Not on the outside.

  “Mac,” he says, “talk to me.”

  And I should. Now’s the moment to tell him what I’ve done. To say goodbye.

  “I just want to feel your arms around me,” I say finally.

  Levi rolls onto his side, draping his arm across my body and curling me tightly against him. He sighs, and I can feel the contentment radiating from him. The peace. I tell myself he deserves one night of it at least. But deep down, I know it’s an excuse.

  “I love you, Mac,” he says against my hair.

  “I love you too,” I tell him and then let him drift off to sleep.

  Once, Levi told me he was my villain.

  Tomorrow, I’ll be his.

  CHAPTER 21

  Levi is softly snoring when I climb out from underneath him and tiptoe around to retrieve my clothes. The plush bedroom is bathed in the shadowy gray of pre-dawn. Despite the darkness, Levi’s skin gleams where he’s thrown off the covers during the night. I stop and stare for a long time, memorizing the cut-out of his muscled biceps and the hard line of his jaw. I never want to forget what he looks like when he sleeps.

  Finally, I dress, unsure whether I want him to discover my escape. If he does, I’ll be forced to explain, but as it is, there’s no chance of kissing him one last time. Of seeing him look at me like I’m his whole world.

  “Mm, you can’t escape me again,” he says, his voice slurring with sleep.

  I freeze, my hand on the knob. But when I turn back, his eyes are already closing again. His heavy lids are impossible to keep open, thanks to the wolf healing still working its way through his wounds. He’ll be out for a few more hours yet. Still, this is my chance to do the right thing.

  To tell him what I’ve done for him.

  “Levi,” I say, taking a step toward him.

  “Mac,” he returns lazily.

  But the words won’t come. Instead, I say, “Do you trust me?”

  His eyes slide halfway open. “Of course,” he says with no hesitation, but he’s more awake now.

  “I want you to remember that trust,” I say, my voice cracking.

  He watches me through narrow slits. Sleepy. Hurting. And completely in love with me. My heart cracks into a thousand pieces as I watch sleep drag him away from me.

  “I love you,” I whisper.

  Then I wait.

  But he doesn’t stir again as I slip out.

  I tell myself it’s for the best. Goodbyes are not my forte.

  In the hall, a figure moves, and I tense. Near the stairs, my mother beckons me forward. I exhale, joining her.

  “How is he?” she asks.

  How is he? As if she didn’t run off and do Jadick’s dirty work without telling me. As if she never sold me out to the monster himself. As if I didn’t nearly get murdered, beaten, and blown up since we last saw each other.

  “He’s healing,” I say.

  When I start to move past her, she stops me.

  “And you?”

  I bite back all the angry retorts. They’ll do no good with a woman like her. Our eyes meet, and I let her see it in my gaze instead.

  She flinches.

  “I have to meet Jadick.”

  I shove past her, and this time, she lets me go.

  “You’re doing the right thing,” she says.

  I don’t turn around.

  Downstairs, security roams. Gregario is the first to notice me. “Jadick’s waiting for you,” he tells me, but I don’t answer, startled to see Grey coming through the front door.

  “Hey,” I say, ignoring Gregario and hurrying forward.

  Grey stops, his expression as impassive as ever.

  “Where’s Tripp?” I ask.

  “He’s staying with his mom.”

  My eyes narrow. “You make it sound like he had a choice.”

  He shrugs. I want to be angry with him, but it wouldn’t change anything.

  I sigh. “Levi’s upstairs,” I say.

  Grey’s eyes flick to the stairs then back to my face. “How is he?”

  Gregario comes up beside us. He doesn’t say a word, but he’s also clearly waiting for an answer. It gives me hope that Levi still has at least some of their loyalty.

  “Healing,” I say. “Physically, it’ll be a few days. Mentally…”

  Grey nods.

  Gregario looks ready to shove me toward wherever Jadick is waiting.

  “Will you stay with him?” I ask Grey.

  “I’ll stay close,” he says.

  I nod before following Gregario down the hall. It’s the best I can do for him now.

  Jadick is already waiting for me when I walk into the alpha’s office. Just like the rest of the house, this room has been stripped of anything that made it Crigger’s space. Trinkets, gifts from allies, trophies… gone. Even the books have been cleaned out. All that remains now are a large mahogany desk and a wall of empty bookshelves to match.

  Jadick stands at the window, hands folded behind his back as he stares through the glass. The sun will be up soon; the sky is already growing lighter. And then time will speed on ahead whether I like it or not.

  Jadick waits to speak until Gregario pulls the door shut behind him, leaving us alone.

  “We will make the announcement after lunch—”

  “I want Tripp here.”

  He turns to look at me. “You’re not in a position to make further demands.”

  “You’re wrong. After that announcement, my leverage is basically gone. Right now? You still need me to stand beside you. To sell it.”

  He doesn’t respond.

  “Bring Tripp back,” I repeat.

  “He’s lying. I didn’t drug you.”

  “I know that.”

  He studies me, uncertain. “How do you know?”

  I don’t want to tell him my suspicions, so I say, “It doesn’t make sense. You want a strong mate. Someone who can hold her own, especially now when you need to appear untouchable. You want me to help you win them over. I can’t do that if I’m weak.”

  He relaxes. “I’m glad you see the truth.”

  “Tripp’s only trying to protect me.”

  “There are consequences to baseless accusations,” he says. “Especially against the alpha.”

  “Then punish him,” I say. “Give him bathroom duty for a month. Make him taste test all your food. But he doesn’t deserve to be exiled.”

  “This is why I chose you.” I blink, surprised and immediately wary. His smile is too nice. Too soft. “You’re wise, Mac. You get people. And in turn, they respect you.”

  “You still think I’m more liked than I am.”

  “You still don’t understand how others see you.”

  I cross my arms. “I don’t care how anyone sees me.”

  “Yes,” he says, sure of himself. “You do.”

  His certainty pisses me off. “Are you going to bring him back or not?”

  “I’ll do as you say.” I feel a sagging relief as his next words hit me, “As long as you’ll do the same.”

  I tense again. “What does that mean?”

  “I’d like you to meet my mother.”

  I stare at him. “Why?”

  “I think you’ll like her. And she’d like to meet you.”

  “Do I have a choice?”

  “Of course,” he assures me. “You always have a choice.”

  I roll my eyes. “Like I had a choice about our deal?”

  “I didn’t force you,” he says with a shrug, and I have to swallow back a scream. This is insane. He is insane.