Anson knew he was taking a chance by stopping in unannounced. The quiet drive home from her parents’ BBQ had grated on him. After dropping her off that night, he’d driven straight to the mountains about an hour outside of the city. Arriving at his favorite trailhead, he’d parked and walked up the trail a few feet before taking off his clothes and letting the shift overtake him. His skin stretched as the animal within pushed through and his body cracked as he grew until he was on all fours. Standing, he stretched to his full height of nine feet for a moment before dropping down, his thousand pounds shaking the forest floor.

With a glance around to make sure he was still alone, he took off at a run, and ran until he was exhausted. A few fallen trees and logs bore the marks of his frustration after he tore into them with his claws. He had imagined that Piper’s stalker was under his claws. It was cathartic. He knew he wouldn’t be able to tear the man to shreds in real life, and if the man in the shadows was Kindred… there would be much harsher ways to deal with him. When it came to humans they had to conform to human laws.

Finally feeling that he had his anger under control, he made his way back to the SUV, retrieved his clothes from the base of a tree then dressed and headed home. Sitting in his small apartment, he realized he might need something more than the three oversized leather recliners that he kept in his living room in case the guys stopped over. Being on a month-to-month rental agreement, he had decided last night that he was going house shopping. He was paid well and had plenty of money saved and didn’t spend it on anything but necessities. While he lay awake for most of the night he made another decision. He was going to be in Piper’s life, however the universe intended that to be. If she wasn’t meant to be his, then he’d be the best friend she’d ever had.

* * *

On his way to her place, he made a quick stop to get the donuts as a peace offering. He remembered what she ordered when she went in. He made sure at least half the box was her favorites. On the trip to her house he kept questioning whether he should be doing what he was doing. But the Crone’s words kept coming back to him. It was about having trust in the way things were supposed to work out. Anson had expected Piper to put up more of a fuss at his invitation. Her words said she was annoyed, her quick acceptance told him she might have needed the company.

As soon as he settled her in the car he put the box of donuts in her lap. “Eat.”

“You really need to work on your communication skills. Next time try, ‘Piper, would you like a donut?’, the answer would probably be the same.”

“Then why do I need to say it that way? You’re hungry, eat.”

She’d glared at him, but opened the box and selected a large maple donut topped with bacon, making a show of getting as much of it into her mouth as possible before biting down. She closed her eyes and moaned. He never understood why women did that. Did they not realize or care what that did to men? It was fucking erotic and made all sorts of thoughts pop into their heads. More men should be smarter and keep their women well-fed just for that reason.

Anson had backed up and started towards the gated entrance. As they pulled up to the gate, Anson’s eyes went straight to a bouquet of flowers stuck between the bars. He slammed on the brakes.

“Stay in the car,” he ordered.

Stepping out, he locked the doors behind him and marched towards the bouquet. It contained all white roses wrapped in brown paper. A white card rested between the petals with a handwritten note in black ink.

You can do better.

Turning on his heel, Anson went to the back of the SUV and opened a kit box that had everything they might ever need or want while on assignment. Pulling out a black trash bag, he walked back to the gate, scooping up the flowers without touching them. He tied off the top and deposited it back in the SUV. Getting back into the driver’s side he hit the button to call King. He knew he’d be around.

“Anson?”

“I need you to meet me at the office for a package drop off.”

“I’m here now,” King informed him.

Anson hung up without further explanation. He put the vehicle back in gear and punched the gas.

“They were from him,” her scared voice finally said.

“I think so.”

“What did the card say? I could see it from here.”

“Does it matter?”

She paused. “No, I guess it doesn’t.”

“Don’t let him take up any more space than he already has. He knows he’s camping there and you can evict him anytime you want.”

He watched her wrap her arms around herself, the box of donuts now ignored. He reached for the box and set it behind the seat, never slowing down.

Gripping the steering wheel, his hands flexed as hair started sprouting off his knuckles. He could feel his teeth lengthening and his face altering as he tried to hold back the change. Anson started taking deep breaths but he knew his eyes had changed over, his vision was sharpening.

“Holy shit.” He heard whispered from the other seat.

“Sorry,” he growled.

“I understand what I’m feeling, but why the hell are you so upset?”

“Because he got close to you again. We’re supposed to be at least a deterrent to keep him from thinking he can get to you. He was there, probably watching as I parked and went in. He’s getting bolder.”

“Does this change our plans?”

“No, he doesn’t get to control your life anymore. We’re making a quick stop and then we’re heading to the mountains.”

He said that with finality because he didn’t want her to try and get out of it. She had every right to. He could smell her fear and sadness. But another day under her covers wasn’t going to help her. Anson drove quickly through downtown. His focus was on getting rid of the package in the back and moving past it. Piper couldn’t smell the sickeningly floral scent that Anson could pick up even through the garbage bag. He didn’t trust that they were just flowers. They could be coated with something that could harm or kill her. He wasn’t taking any chances.

Reaching their building off Fifth Avenue he pulled into the garage and idled the car next to the elevator. The doors opened moments later and King stepped out.

“Stay here,” Anson ordered.

Getting out, he closed the door and walked King to the back of the SUV to retrieve the bag before closing the hatch to make sure Piper that wouldn’t hear their conversation.

“What do we have?” King asked.

“Flowers with a note stuck in the security gate of her complex.”

“Sure it’s for her?”

“The note made it clear. He must have known I was there. My presence didn’t keep him away. That worries me.”

“It should. Only an idiot would go up against a half dozen Kindred.”

“So, he’s stupid too. That changes what his possible reactions could be. It also means he’s decided he’s got nothing to lose.”

“I’ll inform the crew. Eden is coming into town; do you want me to let her know she might pick up some shifts?”

“No, I’m taking this on. Rearrange what you need to for me. I’ve got this,” Anson said angrily.

“What do you mean you got this? You think you can cover her? Alone?”

“I don’t want anyone else near her,” he tried to explain.

“I’m sorry, but that’s not how we do things. More eyes are better for the client. Everyone has their gifts. You’d be making a mistake to try and take this on by yourself. Unless there is another reason you want to be this involved?”

“I want her with me.”

King studied him for a moment. “Something you need to tell me?”

“No, I just can’t be away from her right now. I might as well be her full-time bodyguard. If I need assistance I’ll call in someone else. We need answers and I plan on getting them from her exes on Monday.”

King gave a long sigh. “I don’t like this. It puts you in a bad position. I’ll let you take this for now. But if I think you need help, you better damn well know that I will cover your ass even if you think you don’t need it. I’ll also be at the meeting on Monday. I don’t want you causing us any lawsuits.”

“What would I do?”

“You’re emotionally involved. I can see it, hell your eyes are yellow and you haven’t bothered to calm down enough to lose them. What do you think that looks like to our client?”

“Her name is Piper,” Anson said with a huff, his bear showing in his voice.

“Calm the fuck down. You need to get control before you get back in that car. Piper needs you to be the calm confident one. You look freaked the fuck out right now. That isn’t good for our reputation.”

Anson dragged his hand through his hair. “I’m fucking confused as hell. I keep asking for clarification and I get jack shit from everyone I ask.”

“Maybe you’re asking the wrong people?” King suggested.

“You think so? I talked to my papa and my Crone yesterday. I got nowhere. Why, do you know something?” Anson looked hard at King, wondering if he did know more than he let on.

King’s eyebrows raised. “You called the Crone?”

“She was about as clear as mud. Piper’s important and I’m not sure why.”

King gave him a long look. “Keep her close. But if she wants you off, you know I have to pull you. She gets to decide who’s allowed in her space. Remember that. She’s calling the shots on that.”

“I get it. I won’t forget.”

King nodded and went back to the elevator. Anson took a minute to breathe and pull his animal back under his skin where it needed to be. He must have looked completely out of control to Piper. King was right. She was looking to him to be confident that KSI was taking care of her. He’d have to watch that in the future. Getting back in the car, he buckled up and turned to check on Piper.

“It’s gone,” she said quietly.

Anson frowned. “The bag? Yeah, I gave it to King.”

“No. Your bear,” she explained.

“Sorry about that. I was… angry.”

“It’s amazing that it’s gone… it’s right under the surface, isn’t it?”

Anson decided to be honest. “All the time.”

Piper didn’t respond, she looked at her hands in her lap. “Are we still going?

“Of course. Any stops you want to make?”

“No, I just want to be anywhere but here.”

Anson started the ignition and drove them out of the garage. He turned on the radio and left her to her thoughts during their two-hour trip to Snoqualmie Pass. While keeping an eye on the light dusting of snow coming down, Anson couldn’t help but let his eyes slide to her face every few minutes. She was lost in thought and it felt like he shouldn’t intrude.

It was good that they weren’t talking; it gave him time to reflect on his actions. His reactions to her were becoming more dominant although he was still holding it in. She didn’t need to know that his mind would easily switch gears from wanting to keep her safe to wanting her spread-eagled underneath him.

Anson wanted her compliant and willing in his bed. He wanted to play, touch, and taste at his leisure. He wanted her to do what he wanted, when he wanted. He wanted to take away all the decision making from her. More importantly, he wanted her to give that power to him. Piper handing over herself and her pleasure to him seemed like a gift he could never have.

Her sweet scent filled the car now, her fear fading and leaving behind just her. His animal side wanted to know how that scent would change when she was fully aroused. Pulling into the parking lot of a small restaurant, Anson found a space and turned off the engine.

“Feel like a walk?” he asked.

Piper was looking out the window at the mountains surrounding them. Her eyes came to his, “Yes, I could use some fresh air.”

Anson nodded. He could use the fresh air too. Being so close to her for so long had left him in a semi erect state for most of the drive. It wasn’t particularly comfortable.

“Give me a minute,” he asked before getting out.

Locking the doors, he moved to the back of the SUV and visually swept the area, taking in the other cars and the lingering scent of people. There had been the faint smell of a human on the flowers but he didn’t want to smell the flowers in case they were tainted in some way. They could also be the scent of a delivery person. He wasn’t going to assume it was their stalker. Not picking up any danger, he walked around to her side and opened the door. Offering a hand, which she accepted, he helped her out of the vehicle. He reached down and zipped up her jacket without thinking. It was an intimate thing to do and he looked to her eyes to see her surprise.

“Sorry,” he mumbled.

“You do that too often, you know.”

“Do what?”

“Do things that a boyfriend would do.”

“I’m not your boyfriend,” he said, his inflection on the last word showing his disdain.

“Have you ever touched a client that way before?”

“I think you already know you’re more than a client, Piper.”

She shook her head at him. “No, I’m a problem. That’s really all there is between us. An unsolved problem.”

“I’m not debating this with you again. You aren’t going to talk me out of my feelings.”

“I really wish I could. It would be a kindness to you. Believe me.”

“Piper, I mean this in the nicest way—stop talking and walk.”

He gave her a small shove towards the end of the SUV, pulling her hand into his and started off to the nearby trail. Anson could hear her grumbling under her breath about being bossy and he wasn’t in charge of her. Yet she continued to walk towards the marked trailhead with her small hand in his. For the first time, Anson felt calm around her. The forest was where he was comfortable. The air filled his lungs easily and he could hear that they were surrounded by wildlife. There wasn’t anyone hiding around the corner out there.

“Let’s walk until you want to stop,” he suggested, letting go of her hand and letting her go first down the trail.

She gave him a look that he wasn’t sure how to take. It had some confusion and some anger tinged with fear. Then her eyes studied him and there was something that looked like trust. A resolve settled into her eyes that he was going to take as her acceptance that he was there for her. He’d take that. It was enough for now.