Chapter 18
Jenny was relieved that all through dinner no one seemed to notice that she hadn’t eaten anything. She’d faked sips of her coffee and fidgeted under Law’s attention. He’d monopolized most of the conversation, which was fine. It was odd though, how a man she’d fantasized about for years was finally showing interest, and she couldn’t care less. Time and time again, her eyes drifted to the window where Bishop stood stoically outside, guarding the estate’s first family. Guarding her.
“Did you ‘ear me, love?” Law lifted a hand to brush a strand of hair behind her ear, but Jenny pulled back. The skin-on-skin contact would hurt, and he’d smell it in an instant. No doubt, as would Bishop who now stood alone outside the glass glaring at her and Law.
“Uhh, no. Sorry, I missed it. What did you say?”
He smiled but angled his head. “You’re distracted.” Turning he looked over his shoulder. “Anyfin to do wif ‘at growly bastard in a hall?”
Jenny felt herself blush and lowered her head. “No,” she responded too quickly. “Just been a crazy long week.” She met Law’s gaze then and spoke honestly. “I’m sorry for being shit company. I’m not normally like this, I swear.”
“No worries. Monroe says you run a medical facility ’ere. Must be dauntin’.”
“It is,” she supplied, grateful for the excuse.
“Well let’s get you home ‘en.”
Law stood and pulled out her chair for her. Jenny thanked him and preceded him out the door. She stopped just outside the Crow’s Nest and faced Bishop.
“Sentry Arkinson, everything okay?”
His dark eyes locked on Law as he answered her. “Just making sure you stay safe.”
“Oi,” Law jerked his chin up. “She’s safe as babe wif me.”
“We don’t know you,” Bishop growled. “You’re not from here, not one of ours.” He took a step toward Law. “I trust you about as far as I can throw you.”
Law glanced down at Bishop’s bicep. “Wif ‘em arms it wouldn’t be far would it?”
Bishop took two more steps toward Law before Jenny planted a hand on his chest, sighing tiredly, “Enough. Both of you.”
“Look,” Law stepped forward. “Ain’t you got work to do?” He looked pointedly down the hall. “Someplace else maybe.”
Bishop stepped around Jenny and went nose-to-nose with Law.
She heard him say something about doing his job by keeping an eye on weasley little fucks with dumb-as-shit names, but that was all she heard because the elevator doors slid closed and sealed her inside as she made her quiet escape. If those two idiots wanted to fight, they weren’t going to do it in front of her.
***
The next morning, Jenny stepped out of a cabin, but it wasn’t the one assigned to her at StoneCrow.
She’d gone back to Bishop’s secret hideaway and hadn’t told anyone because right now she needed a break from Law, Monroe, Fleur, Elias, and mostly Bishop. His cabin seemed like the best place to go too, because who would think to look for her there?
This time, she’d brought plenty of supplements, injections, and meds to hold her over for a long time. And a long time is what she assumed she’d need before she was ready to go back and face her reluctant mate and her mess of a life. With any luck, Law and her parents would be gone by then too because right now she didn’t need the added havoc that Law’s sudden appearance was wreaking on her life. Worse, it was incredibly difficult keeping the secret of her affliction from her parents, especially Fluer. The two were extremely close, but she knew that if she confided in her mother, Fleur would demand that Elias do something. He would too because the Dominant Skin Walker wouldn’t stand idly by while his only daughter suffered.
Jenny had no choice. Leaving StoneCrow was best for everyone.
***
Bishop watched Jenny step out of his cabin. She was wearing faded jeans that clung to her ass and hips like an invitation. Her upper body was covered by a thick wool coat, but he didn’t need to see beneath that coat to know exactly what was underneath. Luscious tits, trim waist, toned arms. His Angel was truly a sight to behold, and something about watching his woman in his secret place settled his inner beasts.
He’d gone to see her last night after his heated argument with Law because he knew the prick actually meant something to her and he didn’t want her thinking he was taking a shit on that just out of jealousy. Well…he kinda was, but what was he supposed to do. Skin Walkers were territorial possessive bastards. His nature couldn’t be helped. Still, he’d wanted to let Jenny know that he’d back off Law if it was what she wanted.
When he’d found Jenny though, she was loading a bag into a car he recognized as her nurse, Stoney’s. It was a sporty little number with a bright yellow paint job, which would be easy to follow in crow form. It had been.
Now, with axe in hand, his Jenny looked like a damn shield maiden heading into battle with that determined glint in her eyes he was getting to know well. It was the look she wore when she was on a mission. Determined little minx!
He smiled and watched her like a predator watching his prey. In mountain lion form, it was literally true.
The wind blasted her hair back from her face, and she cursed softly before stopping and lowering the axe. She clamped her knees around the handle while the head rested on the cold ground. She made quick work of twisting her long raven colored hair into a braid that hung over her shoulder. Pulling something from her wrist, she secured her work and then hefted the axe back over her shoulder as she made her way to the side of the house.
He knew she was going to chop firewood. He also knew there was plenty already piled up high beside the house because he’d cut and stacked it himself. He got it though. He came up here when he needed to think and what better way than with mindless physical labor. He grinned, liking that he and Jenny had something in common.
When Jenny circled around the house, Bishop had no choice but to slink out of his hiding spot in the thick forest to quietly follow. He found equally thick cover in a stand of trees beside the house and settled back on his haunches to watch as his dark-haired beauty hoisted the axe over her head and swung it an arc, connecting solidly with the log she’d propped up. It split right down the center in one swing, and he felt pride swell. She was strong, powerful, and she worked with expert precision chopping and stacking.
All the while she toiled, Bishop watched her. The flex in her thighs as she used her weight to rock the axe overhead and then slam it forward in a graceful arc was mesmerizing. She even made this cute little grunting noise with each swing that had heat coiling low in his belly.
Readjusting his position, a rock knocked loose from beneath his paw and scuttled noisily down the slight incline where he rested. Eyes shooting up, he watched Jenny’s swing still as her body tensed.
Shiiiit! Had he just given himself away? Motionless, he held his breath and waited, surprised when Jenny turned and eyed the forest, but focused on a swath of trees closer to her. Were her instincts messed up? He couldn’t help the wave of irritation that washed over him. What if he was a real predator? She should have better accuracy at pinpointing…
His thoughts slammed to a halt when Jenny’s back suddenly arched violently. The axe fell from her grip as her teeth slammed down hard and her eyes pinched shut as a strangled groan wrenched its way up her strained throat.
Bishop shot to his feet.