Chapter Thirteen
Seraphina paced the tiny waiting area in front of the nurse’s desk, fighting back tears with all the inner strength she had. The uncertainty in the mating bond had drawn her from the car and into the hospital even though Rod had told her to stay. There was too much pain and confusion, and she’d started to worry about him.
But the real kicker was the voice message she received on her cell phone from an unknown number.
I’m here, little fox. And it’s only a matter of time before I find you. Then we will start our life together… mine.
She didn’t know how Maxim had gotten her cell number. Probably some unsuspecting human he’d charmed. Hardly mattered, though. He was a hunter. He would find her eventually.
That’s why she had to be ready. And claimed.
She’d marched right inside to tell Rod they were running out of time. But she’d been just outside Valerie’s room, about to knock, when she heard it straight from his own lips.
We’re done, Ma. No more Seraphina. This thing with her… it can’t happen.
Arguing had ensued, but she didn’t wait around to hear the rest.
He’d denied her twice now, out loud. And probably a whole lot more inside his head.
Her vixen wasn’t having it.
How could he have doubts after what they’d just shared? How could he still be fighting this bond when it was so strong it was practically choking her?
Enough. He was either going to own her like he wanted, or she was going to have enough self-respect to walk away.
Her vixen whimpered inside, afraid for the future.
But this was it, wasn’t it? This was her battle, her thing, as Ma said.
If it killed her, she’d tell her animal no to a man who wasn’t in it one hundred percent. Just like she’d tell it no to Maxim. And anyone else who wasn’t good for her.
She’d be strong. Vixen strong.
Because being submissive didn’t mean bowing to everyone she came across. It meant bowing to the right one. And it didn’t mean she was weak. It meant she had to fight harder and better and smarter. So much smarter.
“Seraphina?”
Heavy footsteps came down the corridor, but she didn’t look up. She just needed him to drop her back at the hotel. She’d be plenty safe there with the others until she had to face Maxim. No more dragging this out.
She turned, opening her mouth to say what needed saying…
But Rod was already there, crowding her space, eyes burning as hot as they had out at the river. Except… different. There was something tender in them. Something she’d only caught glimpses of, but always hoped would last.
He cradled her cheeks, tilting her face up and gave her the sweetest kiss she’d ever known. He lingered, sweeping at her lips, apparently oblivious to the other people around them. Until a throat cleared and he eased back.
“Why aren’t you in the car?”
“I… I…” Her mind blanked. She was supposed to tell him she’d heard what he said to his mom. And that what they’d shared at the river had formed a bond. And that she would carry it for the rest of her life, but it didn’t mean she would live with his denial. And that if he was ever ready, she’d be waiting.
Because he was hers.
Mate, her fox whispered.
But all those things turned to gibberish in her head after his kiss. And at the way he was looking at her. Like she was brand new. Like he’d figured out the missing piece to his puzzle.
“Had to pee,” she blurted. Not a lie. She did need to go. Soon.
Rod frowned. “Okay, listen. They’re keeping Ma overnight. So I was thinking…” His hands on her waist pulled her closer. “You and me. A hot bath.” He lowered his mouth to her ear. “And an entire night breaking my bed in. Or should I say trying not to break it. What do you say?”
His words zinged right to her center. More of what they’d done before sounded like a sweet dream. But… what was happening?
“Uh…”
“Unless you’d rather see how many ways we can try not to break the Mustang. It’s pretty damn sturdy,” he murmured, “and there’r lots of surfaces we haven’t gotten naked on yet.”
“I…”
He pulled her earlobe between his teeth and she melted faster than a popsicle in July.
“Come on, sweets,” he whispered, taking her hand. “We have so much to talk about. With our bodies first. Then our mouths.”
***
Rod pressed Seraphina back against the side of the Mustang, kissing the hell out of her lips. One to last him the drive home. Then he was going to turn it all around. He was going to be fucking happy and he was going to make her happy if it took their entire life to do it. And damn, were they going to have fun along the way. Him, and her, a couple of kids, and Ma.
A family.
He’d have his. Because he deserved it.
And she’d have a protector. Someone who always had her back, and would let her say no if she fucking wanted. Because she deserved it.
His phone ringing interrupted their kiss. Reluctantly, he pulled back, fishing it out of his pocket while Seraphina settled into the passenger seat.
It was Adam. Just the person he didn’t want to talk to. Like for a long damn time.
He considered ignoring him. But if the asshole was calling, he knew it was important. Adam wouldn’t waste his time otherwise.
Rod slid his thumb across the screen to answer it as he walked around the front of the car. “What do you want?”
“Look,” Adam rushed out. “I know you’re pissed at me, but forget all that. You need to get your ass down to Red Cap. Now.”
“I’m busy.”
He had plans. Plans that would take all night and leave them exhausted in the morning. Beautiful fucking plans.
Adam let out a frustrated growl. “Whatever it is, it will have to wait. You need to get here ASAP. Trust me on this.”
The fucking nerve. The giant brass balls on that one.
“Why?”
Adam lowered his voice. “Because. Those dickwad foxes are here. The one’s Drake had me watching out for. And while that’s all fine and shit, so are the Vixens. Every last one of ‘em except yours. And they got that… that… look about them.”
Rod cranked the ignition and the engine roared to life.
“What look?”
“That look, that look. You know the one. Like they’re up to no good. Like they’re going to cause hell while laughing about it. Like they’re going to eat someone. Except the guys they want to eat have claws and fangs and shit. And I can’t get a hold of any of those useless Dogs. So you have to get over here and help me keep them in line.”
Seraphina made a sound from the passenger seat. Of course she was catching all of this with her shifter hearing.
Rod turned to look at her.
She was chewing the hell out of her bottom lip, and again he wondered what had pulled her into the hospital.
She glanced nervously at her phone, and he followed her gaze down to see her screen light up with a number that said unknown.
The Mustang’s wheels screeched as Rod backed out of the parking spot and took off.
“You there by yourself?”
“No. Rider’s here. But he don’t seem concerned. I think he’s hypnotized by Sally’s ass or something and just not computing.”
He pressed the gas pedal to the floor and pointed toward Red Cap.
“I’m on my way,” he said into the phone.
“Hurry, yeah? Barb is fucking smiling at one of ‘em and I might hit him. Drunk. She must be drunk. Except she just narrowed her eyes and looks really evil. Maybe she heard me. Maybe she’s not drunk. Hell, I don’t know. Just hurry.”
The phone went dead and Rod tossed it up on the dashboard.
“He called you?” he ground out, and Seraphina nodded.
“Left a message.”
“Let me hear it.”
She tapped around on her phone and seconds later, Maxim’s hard voice registered over the speaker.
I’m here, little fox. And it’s only a matter of time before I find you. Then we will start our life together… mine.
“Wrong,” Rod seethed, anger making his blood boil. But this anger was different than the helpless shit he’d felt before. This time, he knew exactly what to do with it.
Rod almost laughed.
He was going to fuck this guy up so good. He’d never call Seraphina mine again, because his jaw was going to need a wire.
He grabbed her hand, squeezing tight, and forced the car to go faster.
“We’re going to end this,” he promised her. “Right fucking now.”