“We need to leave.” Luc began to roll up the nearest sleeping bag. “Since the Salvation Pack is no longer a viable option, we’ll head north into Canada.”

  Anger still simmered in Etienne’s blood. He was tired and hungry and wanted nothing more than to get Amy to safety, get them both clean and fed, and sleep for twelve solid hours before he had to deal with any more drama.

  “You really think that will make a difference?” The brothers needed a reality check.

  “What other options do we have?” Bitterness tinged his tone. The siblings were quietly packing up their belongings. Luc was the undisputed leader of their small group.

  “You take a stand. You fight.” There would be no peace until the threat to their sister was eliminated.

  “You think I don’t want to?” Luc stomped over and got up in Etienne’s face.

  Amy slid between them and shoved at Luc’s chest. “This isn’t helping.”

  Wrapping his arm around her waist, Etienne pulled her behind him. The woman was going to make him crazy. He had to have at least two gray hairs by now. “You. Do. Not. Put. Yourself. Between. Two. Male. Wolves.” Each word was slow and deliberate so there was no misunderstanding. He wished he could look at her, see how she was responding, but he didn’t dare take his eyes off Luc. The man was ready to blow.

  A soft hand patted his back. “If male wolves acted with more sense, I wouldn’t have to.”

  Luc snorted and his head dropped forward. Once again, she had defused the tension. Amy might make him old before his time, but he’d never be bored.

  “I’m not sure if I should apologize or offer my sympathy. You have your hands full.” His words were heartfelt and made Etienne chuckle.

  “Hey. Wait a minute.” To keep Amy from going off on them again, he kissed her. Yeah, maybe not smart, but the others were no longer a threat, and he needed to touch her. And, yes, lay claim to her in front of the two other males.

  Her hands pressed against his chest as if to push him away, but they slid up and around his neck. Rocked to the core of his being, he slid his tongue past her lips. Every ounce of worry, every fear he’d experienced, morphed into passion.

  When she moaned, he thought his head might explode. His cock was already close to punching a hole in his zipper.

  “Ah, I don’t think there’s any question about their attraction.” The observation, followed by feminine laughter, brought him back to reality.

  As usual, Amy had shredded his control. He eased his head back and stared down into her precious face. Her lips were swollen and moist, her eyes slightly glazed. When she licked her lips, his balls clenched.

  Colton had his arm slung around his sister’s shoulders and was grinning like an idiot. Luc seemed more pensive but gave a short nod, conceding he’d never had a chance with her.

  “We can drop you back at the bar so you can get your truck.” Luc picked up the three sleeping bags and a duffel that likely had clothes.

  “We’ll take the ride.” No way was he running back to get his truck and leaving Amy behind. She could go with him and they could pace themselves, but she was tired and hungry. He wanted to take care of her.

  “That doesn’t solve your problem,” she pointed out.

  Amy was right. There was only one thing to do, but it meant she was going to have to cut her journey of self-discovery short. This could backfire on him, on them. Once they were home, it would be easy to fall back into the way things had been. He wanted more. He wanted her as his mate. Most of all, he wanted her to want the same thing.

  He wished the Landrys had never crossed their path, but they had, so he had to suck it up and deal with it.

  “Amy?” This was in her hands. “This isn’t the end. It’s a detour. If you want to go away again once this is done, we can do that.” He’d never clip her wings, wanted nothing more than to see her soar. She deserved that.

  She rolled her lips and shifted her weight from one foot to another, scuffing the toe of her sneaker on the floor. “You’d do that for me.”

  He caught her face in his hands and smoothed the pads of his thumbs over her cheeks. “Don’t you know there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you?” Bad enough to spill his guts without the rapt audience, but if that’s what it took to reassure her, he didn’t care if it was broadcast worldwide.

  She searched his eyes and finally nodded. He drew her in and pressed his lips against her forehead. Every muscle in his body strained, threatening to snap, his restraint sorely tested. The urge to mate—to claim her now—before it was too late beat like a drum in his heart. Fear gripped him, making his blood run cold. He could still lose her.

  He tightened his hold on his emotions and yanked them back from the brink. His voice was hoarse when he finally spoke. “Guess we’re all going to Salvation.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Etienne dropped their bags on the end of the bed. There was only one, but it was the best he could do. The motel wasn’t fancy, but it was clean and had an attached restaurant that was open from seven in the morning until eleven at night. It was several steps above the place she’d been staying.

  “Do you think they’ll be here in the morning?” Amy was standing just inside the door, her arms wrapped around herself.

  “That’s up to them.” The Landrys were short on funds, so he’d booked a room for them for the night. If nothing else, it would allow them to clean up and get a decent night’s sleep. It also put Amy’s mind at ease. He hated seeing her so forlorn. They’d also exchanged phone numbers. If there was a problem, they could stay in contact. “I’ll find another way to help them if you’re not ready to go home.” Forcing her to make the decision before she was ready wasn’t going to make it easy for her to settle back into the pack.

  She shook her head. “There’s no other way.”

  “The hell there isn’t.” He pulled her against him and rested his chin on the top of her head. “I can stash you somewhere safe and hunt this Blaine Mouton down.” It’s what Fleur’s brothers should have done by now. It didn’t sit well with him that they’d run instead of going after the guy.

  “That’s not your job.” She pressed her forehead against him and rubbed her nose against his shirt. He’d much rather it was his bare skin, but he’d put it and the rest of his clothes back on before they’d returned to the bar to speak with Gracie and pick up Amy’s final paycheck. As if they were on the same wavelength, she added, “I’m thankful Gracie didn’t call the police when I suddenly disappeared without a word.”

  Etienne figured she might have if the lightning storm hadn’t knocked out cell reception. “You’re an adult. She hadn’t seen you get taken, so the cops wouldn’t have done anything for at least twenty-four hours.”

  “I’m glad to have my last paycheck, but sorry I worried her.”

  The older woman had been suspicious, but there’d been nothing she could do except wish Amy well and watch her leave.

  He led her away from the door and to the bathroom, snagging her bag on the way. “You want to go first?” They were both dirty and sweaty. “Once we’re cleaned up, we can hit the diner for food.” They were close enough to home he could have driven through the night and made it there before breakfast, but neither of them wanted to handle the interrogation that waited there exhausted and hungry. They’d get a good night’s sleep and start out fresh in the morning.

  “Should I call home?” She swayed on her feet and yawned.

  “That’s up to you, but if we’re bringing three strangers with us, I have to contact Jacque.” Their alpha would have to approve.

  Amy rubbed her hands over her face. “How did things get so complicated?”

  “That’s life. We’ll handle one problem at a time.” He’d do what he could to shoulder the burdens facing them, but there were things she’d have to deal with on her own. “You shower. I’ll call Jacque. We’ll go from there. Okay?”

  “Did I ever tell you I’m glad you found me and that you’re here with me? That you came for me?” Going up on her toes, she kissed his cheek. It was the kind of kiss you’d give a friend or family member, but it sank into him, driving back the chill that wouldn’t leave him.

  “You’re welcome. There’s nowhere I’d rather be.” And that’s what it all boiled down to. No matter the circumstances, this was where he belonged—by Amy’s side.

  “There’s no one else I’d want with me.” On that, she took her bag from him, went into the bathroom, and closed the door. He was still standing there when the water came on.

  Sucking in a deep breath, he forced himself to turn away. There were things he had to do and time was short. Taking one of the chairs at the table by the window, he pulled out his phone and called.

  “Where are you?” Jacque’s deep voice rumbled over the line after only one ring.

  “Tennessee border. We’ll be home tomorrow.”

  “Not tonight?”

  He rubbed a chipped spot on the laminate table. “Non, there are … complications.”

  “Tell me.”

  Etienne laid out everything about the run-in with the humans and the Landry family. When he was done, the line was silent for a long time.

  “You did what was right.” The tension gripping him eased at the praise from his alpha. “Bring them. We’ll deal with the situation from here. I’ll try to keep Cole from killing the brothers on sight.” He sighed and muttered in Cajun.

  “I’ll call him.” Her father loved her, but Etienne didn’t want Amy dealing with the brunt of his fury when he discovered what had happened. Best if he had time to get past the first wave of his anger.

  “Non, that is not your place.”

  The truth rankled. Etienne wasn’t her mate, only her friend and the man who loved her. He bit his tongue rather than contradict Jacque. He was bringing enough trouble to him without disrespecting the man.

  “And how is Amy handling things?”

  The water shut off. He swallowed heavily, imagining her naked and clean, smelling of her soap and shampoo.

  “Etienne?”

  “If it wasn’t for the Landrys, she would not be coming home yet.”

  “I see.” Jacque huffed in frustration. “We’ll figure it out.”

  No, Amy would decide. On that, he would not budge. One way or another, he’d make sure she got what she needed. “I have to go. We’ll be there sometime tomorrow. I’ll call when we’re close.”

  “You’ve done well, Etienne. Your father will be as proud as I am.”

  His wolf preened under the praise, but he would never forget that Amy had been threatened and taken under his watch.

  ****

  Slicking her hair back from her face, she studied her reflection. Other than being a tad pale, there was no outward sign of her ordeal. Funnily enough, being kidnapped by the Landrys hadn’t worried her as much as going home did. It made no logical sense since she loved her family.

  The clock was ticking. Her time alone with Etienne was growing shorter. She’d be lucky if her daddy didn’t lock her in her room until she was thirty. Sighing, she turned away and dressed in a fresh pair of jeans and her last clean T-shirt. A knock came on the door as she was rolling up her dirty clothes and stuffing them in her bag.

  Rather than answer, she opened the door. Steam rushed out of the room, but the temperature shot up. Etienne leaned one arm on the doorjamb, his massive bicep stretching the sleeve of his shirt. He smelled of earth and rain and sweat. It made her want to drag his shirt off him and take a bite out of his broad chest.

  “How are you feeling?” He smoothed a damp lock of hair over her shoulder. His fingers skimmed her neck, sending goosebumps racing down her arms.

  “I’m good.” She was safe and alive. The rest, she’d figure out. “Your turn.” Ducking under his arm, she headed straight for the window. The walls were closing in around her.

  “Amy.” She closed her eyes, hating the concern in his voice. “I’ll leave your bag here.” He set it on the floor by the door. “I can wait to shower if you’d rather get something to eat first.”

  The man was unreal. He was always putting her first. Where was her backbone? “You get cleaned up. I can wait.” And she needed to think.

  “Promise me you won’t leave the room without me.” He hovered alongside her, close enough for her to feel his body heat.

  She’d survived for weeks on her own, but she couldn’t fault him for his concern. Not with everything that had happened. “I’ll be here.” That much she could give him.

  “Give me five minutes.” He grabbed his bag, started toward the bathroom, growled and spun around. Determination etched on his face, he stalked toward her. “I’ll keep you safe—here and at home.” With that cryptic statement, he captured her lips in a searing kiss before stomping off to the bathroom.

  Legs shaking, she sank into the chair and pressed her fingers to her lips.

  ****

  Body burning with desire, Etienne let the cold water pummel him. He hadn’t had a hot shower since the day he’d first kissed Amy.

  Swallowing a groan, he soaped from head to feet, not wanting to linger. While he believed that she’d stay put, he didn’t want to take any chances. After dragging a towel over his body and hair, he pulled on jeans. He needed a shave, but that could wait. Barefoot and bare-chested, he opened the door. Amy was sitting quietly by the window.

  “Almost ready.” He sat on the end of the bed and grabbed his sneakers. No need for socks. They weren’t going far. Amy stood and started toward him. “Do you know what you want?” He was starving and hoped the restaurant served steak.

  “I do.” Something in the tone of her voice snapped his head up. She was staring at his chest as if it was prime rib and she hadn’t eaten in a week.

  “Amy?” He swallowed heavily when she stepped between his knees, nudging them apart to make room for herself.

  “We’ll be home tomorrow.”

  His stomach clenched. Had she changed her mind? “Only if that’s what you want.”

  “It’s what has to be.” She stroked his hair away from his face. “There won’t be any way for us to be alone.”

  She wasn’t wrong. “We’ll figure it out.” He’d do whatever he had to, wait as long as necessary.

  “We could,” she agreed. “Or we can take advantage of the opportunity before us.”

  When her hands coasted down his chest, he grabbed them. “What are you saying?” His cock was about to burst. He couldn’t take any teasing, not now. He was too on edge.

  She licked her lips. They were full and lush and needed no enhancement. Her damp hair was a shade darker than it would be once it was dry. Her green eyes shone in the dim light. “I want to have sex.” The words poured out in a rush. His heart leaped, then quickly crashed back down to reality when she added, “I’m not ready to mate.”

  His body ached to have her beneath him or on top of him moving over him. He was breathing heavily, his lungs contracting and expanding. His teeth tingled, his fangs wanting to drop. His wolf howled and pawed impatiently within him.

  When he didn’t release her hands, she leaned down and dragged her tongue over his bottom lip. He growled and tightened his grip. “This is not a good idea.”

  Rather than back off, she kissed a path up his jaw to his ear. “I think it’s an excellent idea.”

  A deep growl filled the space. “Trust me, it’s not.” He thrust her back, jumped to his feet, and began to pace, desperately trying to get control. His heart dropped when he finally was able to look at Amy. She was pale, her chin tilted up, her lips compressed.

  “I see. You’ve changed your mind.” Bitterness tinged her laugh. “Can’t say I blame you. I’ve been nothing but trouble. Maybe I should have taken Luc up on his offer,” she muttered.

  The control of a lifetime exploded. A red haze washed over him. Grabbing Amy by the arms, he pulled her up until she was standing on her toes. “You stay away from him.”

  “Why? You don’t want me.” Hands on her hips, she glared, not the least bit intimidated.

  “Not want you! Not want you! I’m trying to protect you.” All his fury slipped away, replaced by a growing desperation. “You announce you want to have sex. What am I supposed to do with that?” He shook his head to try to clear it, but it was impossible. With every breath he took, he got a whiff of Amy and the spicy scent of her desire. “If we hit the sheets naked, I can’t guarantee I won’t mate you.” He let his fangs drop, hoping to scare some sense into her.

  “I trust you.”

  God, she slayed him. His arms shook as he struggled to keep from tossing her down on the bed. “Amy, I can’t trust me. I want you for more than one night. I want you forever. If I have you, I’ll never be able to let you go.” She had to understand the consequences. “I’m trying to do the right thing.” And she was making it impossible.

  “What about you?” She freed one arm and pressed her palm against his cheek. “You’re always taking care of me, trying to do what’s right for me. What about you?” she repeated.

  Closing his eyes, he tried to clear his thoughts. “You’re tired and hungry and scared about going home. We don’t have to stay. Once the problem with the Landrys is handled, we can go away.” Her parents might kill him, but it was worth the risk. His father might not approve, but he’d understand.

  “You don’t want to leave the pack. You belong there.” She leaned inward, her body fitting perfectly against his.

  “I belong with you.” For him, that was the bottom line.

  “How do you know for sure? We’ve never made love. Maybe we’ll be terrible together.”

  Was she kidding? They were like dynamite and an open flame when they got anywhere near each other. He held her at arm’s length and studied her. From the expression on her face, she was dead serious. Amy was an intelligent woman with a huge heart and courage to spare. She’d also been sheltered.

  “Chère, have you ever made love before?” He didn’t think she had, but it was stupid to assume. She was a sexy and healthy woman. She could have hooked up with a human since she’d left home. All she’d have to do was crook her finger. Any man would come running. Hell, she’d tried to drive Luc away, and he’d still come after her.