Chapter Four
Three days later…
Bianca adjusted the strap of her overnight bag as she made her way down the concourse of the Austin-Bergstrom Airport. The persistent weakness in her muscles had thankfully abated enough that she didn’t tremble with every step she took. More than one stranger gave her bruised face a concerned look. Most of the damage to her arms and legs could be covered by the light denim jacket and jeans she wore.
The strap irritated her bruised palms, but she did her best to ignore it. Keeping her chin up, she followed the crowd toward baggage claim. Thankfully, she could bypass the stress of waiting for her luggage on the carousel. Everything she possessed currently had been packed into the single duffel carry-on.
“Girl.” An overly coifed blonde wearing too much cosmetics and hands loaded with rings touched her arm as they approached security. “Tell me you opened a can of whoop-ass on the polecat who smacked you around.” Honeyed steel coated her words. “If you didn’t, you let me give you a ride home. I got a shotgun in the truck and a .45 in the glove compartment. I’ll teach your mister what happens when you lay hands on a woman.”
Fresh humor bloomed in her chest, and Bianca smiled for the first time since leaving the military hospital and having to say good-bye to Cage. A flash of his handsome smile danced across her mind’s eye. He’d looked as disappointed as she over the fact she had to go, but if she were honest, Bianca loathed hospitals. After years of growing up around hospitals and clinics, she’d developed a healthy aversion to them.
“No worries at all,” Bianca assured the concerned woman. “I promise he regretted his choices.” The screams she’d heard outside the ramshackle hut they’d held her in still haunted her sleep. Sometimes the memories came in sharp focus, but mostly they remained a thankful blur. Like a bad dream, she remembered the beginning but woke before the end. On the other hand, the bastards hurt a kid and beat her—she didn’t harbor any moral objections to the idea Cage and his men cut them down.
Leaving her erstwhile defender, Bianca headed for the doors to the arrivals loop. The warmth of the day slapped her after the air-conditioned coolness inside. Pausing, she lifted her face to stare up at the sun peeking through the awning. Instead of fresh air, she got a lungful of car exhaust and her nose began to itch.
Mountain cedar season. Lovely. At least she had allergy meds in her bag. Cars whizzed in and out, people hurrying out of the building, struggling with luggage or kids or both. Civilization was loud, and kind of obnoxious. Voices raised, shouts carried, and car horns honked. It was so odd to be home, and Austin was the closest thing to a home she’d ever known. Her parents had a house here, and a post office box so that their mail could be forwarded anywhere in the world.
Melancholy threatened, and she shook her head. Nope. Not going there. I have a plan, a six-month furlough, and a life to pretend to build. Or, at least time to focus on myself.
Wasn’t that what Peter told her to do? She’d called her boss after arriving back in the States. He had enough contacts to have heard what happened to her. His advice? Take some of her leave as the necessary time to recuperate, reevaluate and perhaps reflect with the help of a professional. Bianca wasn’t big on talking about herself, but she’d already had a plan in place before the resort. Grabbing a taxi, she slid into the backseat.
Digging out her phone, she pulled up the address. “I have two stops to make, if that’s okay?”
Ninety minutes and a hundred-and-twenty-five-dollar—plus tip—cab ride later, she stood in front of a stone veneer and stucco four-bedroom house. The neighborhood, filled with trees, winding suburban roads, and hills, gave the illusion of isolation even though the neighboring houses were just on the other side of trees.
The air smelled of fresh-cut grass, lush trees, and nature despite the nearness of the city. The circuitous path away from the highway shielded the neighborhood from the sound of racing traffic. It was the perfect fairy-tale setting.
The sound of a lawnmower fired up down the street, and Bianca laughed.
Okay, not quite a fairy-tale, but definitely idyllic. Carrying her duffel, she tugged the keys out of her pocket as she followed the stone path through the overgrown lawn to the front door. The realtor apologized for not having had the lawn upkeep finished before she arrived, but Bianca had waved it off.
The lawn definitely needed a good weeding, the bushes needed thinning, and the heavy trees trimmed. Good work, hard work, and work she looked forward to. If she had to take a sabbatical from the work she preferred overseas, the least she could do with it was refurbish and rehabilitate this place and donate it to a family needing a fresh start. The house wasn’t the only one for sale in the neighborhood, but she’d fallen in love with it based on some online photos.
A thrill went through her as she unlocked the front door and let it swing open. A beeping reminded her of the security system the realtor had maintained. The bill had been transferred into Bianca’s name along with all the utilities, the new mortgage, and any repairs. It had put a sizeable dent into her savings account, but what the hell good was all the money she’d socked away over the last ten years if not to help others?
Inside, she dropped the duffel on the table. There was some furniture in the place—a couple of chairs, a sofa, an entryway table, and a couple of stools at the makeshift breakfast bar. The realtor also promised that there were some unremarkable beds in the bedrooms, all for staging, but since it was more furniture than Bianca owned, she took them, too.
The house certainly lived up to the pictures she’d seen online. Wood floors, dingy and in need of a good sanding, refinishing, and polish. Yellow walls, more sallow than cheerful. It all needed a good dusting. Leaving the door open, she walked into the living room. The kitchen was immediately off of it, with only a breakfast bar to separate the two, offering a cozy atmosphere. Making her way around the room, she opened all the blinds, sneezing at the dust she stirred up. The mini-blinds were cheap plastic, made to look like faux wood.
They were as thick with dust as the curtains. Another high-pitched sneeze escaped, leaving her sinuses burning and her eyes watering. The splint on her wrist itched, and her chest ached, but she ignored them both in favor of exploring her new space. A stone facade decorated the fireplace in the corner. The angled setup made it perfectly visible from the kitchen. A curious thrill raced through her as she walked through the whole of the house, all 2,900 square feet.
The bathrooms were clean, if dull with their ancient tiles. The master bath had to be her favorite room, with a huge sunken tub occupying the corner, complete with jets for a hot tub effect. A stall shower was tucked in the other corner, and there were two large his-and-her vanities. If she were a gambling woman, she’d bet money this was the only room that had been updated since the house had been built.
It had loads of potential. Converting it would keep her busy during her enforced downtime. She craved purpose, more now that she was stuck back in the States than she’d realized. She didn’t just love her work; she lived for it. If she couldn’t return to the field… Nope, not even going to think about it. This is temporary, and I can still be useful.
After she’d walked the house, opening all the blinds and then the windows, she turned off the air conditioning. It was warm outside, in the mid-seventies, and projected to reach the mid-eighties. Spring in Texas was awesome.
She preferred fresh air to recycled anyway. Between the ship, the flight, and the second stint in a military hospital and then debrief, she’d gone from one set of recycled air to another. Thankfully, Cage had stayed with her for most of it. He’d been a lifeline amid all the strangers.
Now I miss him.
Still chewing on the thought, she opened the French doors leading out to a wood deck overlooking a tree-filled yard, a stone fence enclosing the property. Her heart gave a squeeze.
The wood was in good shape, but like the floors, it could use some refinishing and a fresh coat of sealant. Maybe a darker stain to really let the wood pop against the stone exterior of the house. It was perfect, and in need of loving care. A rickety old table and a pair of chairs beckoned, and she turned back into the house, opened the fridge, and grinned—inside was a six-pack of beer and a bottle of champagne, courtesy of the realtor.
Snagging one of the beer bottles, she walked back out to the deck, unscrewed the top, and took a long, cool drink as she sat. Stretching her legs slowly, she put her feet on the railing and sighed.
Her body ached. She was still bruised, had a couple of cracked ribs, and an aching wrist. The bite itched like the blazes, as did some of her bug bites.
She’d never been more content than in this moment. She listened to the faint trickle of water—there was a creek somewhere beyond her stoned-in backyard. A cardinal sat on a tree branch not ten feet away, its gorgeous plumage stunning against the fresh green growth. Raising her beer bottle to the beautiful creature, she grinned. “Cheers.”
The stillness and quiet washed over her and she let her eyes close. Weariness had been her constant companion since her rescue—weariness and the gorgeous Sergeant Cage Castillo. She’d left him only the day before and sat there enjoying a rare moment of perfect peace, yet something was missing.
Someone, not something.
Loneliness thrummed through her, and she scowled. The sergeant had been great. He’d been a pillar of strength when she woke on the ship. He’d hung close to her until it came time to depart. Then he’d been the one who lifted her into his arms and settled her in the chopper even when she insisted she could walk.
All the way back to the mainland, he’d sat next to her. Between him and his team, she hadn’t had a chance to be maudlin or depressed. When they landed, an ambulance waited to whisk her off to another hospital and full physical—as if the navy doctor hadn’t been tremendously effective. Her debrief had been separate from theirs. Military intelligence crossing its Is and dotting the Ts. She’d told the story of how she ended up in the jungle with Collin so many times, she could recite it in her sleep.
Before he left her, Cage had also given her his phone number and elicited a promise from her to call him if she needed anything. It was an easy promise to give, because she didn’t plan to need anything. Her time in the States was already on a countdown clock. The last thing she needed was to invite involvement when she’d be jetting off to another third-world devastation zone. He had his job and she had hers.
Rubbing a hand over her face, she winced as she put too much pressure on the bruise. Though it did jerk her out of her doldrums. Tipping the beer up, she took another long drink. First things first. She needed to call the PODS folks and get them to drop off her unit. She had most of her personal items in storage and tended to live out of a suitcase. Her possessions from the resort wouldn’t get here for at least a week; they’d been sent to her attorney’s office in Washington DC. She’d already left a message to get those items forwarded.
Heading inside, she’d just stepped onto the wood floor when a light knock echoed through the empty house.
“Hello?” a distinctly familiar masculine voice called. A voice that didn’t belong in the Austin hill country suburb where she’d only just arrived. Setting the beer on the bar, she crossed to the entry hall and stared.
Sergeant Cage Castillo, dressed in denim jeans that hugged his lean, muscular hips and thighs and a black T-shirt that stretched tight across his broad chest and shoulders, stood in her open doorway.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Torn between shock at his presence and pleasure of seeing him again, she closed the distance between them.
“Funny story,” he said with an easy smile. “Mind if I come in?”
Where were her manners? Oh, yeah, she’d left those on vacation. “A little, but come in anyway. Then tell me why you’re here.”
Eyebrows raised, he tipped his head to the side. “You’re annoyed.”
“Not totally, but I don’t like surprises. Especially when I didn’t expect to see you after we said good-bye.” Blunt, maybe. Harsh, yes. She didn’t see the need to beat around the bush. “That said, I’m thrilled you’re here. Want a beer?”
More than thrilled. Despite the suddenness of the surprise, she couldn’t believe how much lighter the shadows closing in on her became. He was a light in the darkness. Enough bad poetry. She focused on him. Though she hadn’t called him, she had to admit it was good to see him.
“If you have one,” he said, stepping in and closing the door behind him. “You shouldn’t leave your front door wide open. You never know who might walk through it.”
“Point, considering you’re the guy who just arrived.” She led him through the house to the kitchen, where she retrieved a fresh bottle for herself and a bottle for him. He accepted it without comment, and she twisted hers open before retrieving the empty from the bar and setting it by the sink. She added a trash can to her mental shopping list.
He waited for her to rejoin him, and she waved him out to the deck. It had already become her favorite spot, next to the master bath. Cage seemed to dominate the room, and it went from being a musty, empty structure to pulsing with life and power.
His presence threatened to smother her with delight. It was ridiculous; her time in Austin was limited. Better to be outside where the fresh air might help her keep a clear head.
“You’re doing okay?” he asked as he followed her outside. The weight of him at her back should feel like a threat; he was a big guy. Instead, she felt shielded and sheltered. Sweet as the thought might be, it wasn’t anything she could count on in the long term. When she went back to work, she had to rely on herself as she always had.
“Sore, but I’m mobile. Need to take it easy for a few days.” She eased onto the chair she’d abandoned earlier then slipped off her sandals. Her feet had a number of cuts and bruises on them, and she was far more comfortable outside of shoes than in.
Suddenly aware of herself, down to the nub nails, she curled her fingers to hide them and took a sip of beer. Long nails were a luxury she couldn’t afford in the field.
“You look good, good color.” The compliment warmed her to her soul. “I’m glad.”
“Okay. What are you doing here? Did you have more questions?” It came out far lamer than she intended. Her stomach bottomed out. Every day away from the jungle gave her some distance, but not enough.
“No,” he said, spreading his hands wide. “Not questions about what happened anyway.”
“Good,” she blew out a breath, relieved. “Then why are you here?” Missing him and suddenly having him appear didn’t jive in her world as a coincidence.
“I wanted to say hello.” Genuine warmth infused the sentence.
“Hi.” She exhaled the word slowly. It was damn good to see him. “How are you?”
“Not bad, had a few weeks’ leave accrued, and I thought now might be a good time for a vacation.” The words rolled off his tongue easily, ringing with sincerity.
“Blegh,” she said, making a face and wrinkling her nose. “That’s a dirty word.”
“Vacation?” Surprise rippled through his expression.
“My first vacation in a decade ended with me tromping through the woods and digging my own grave.” A shudder slid up her spine. “Vacations suck.”
For a moment, Cage blinked at her, then he began to laugh. The sexy timbre of his chuckle stroked her, dispelling her earlier discomfort and dark memories. “We need to make sure you take a real vacation, without the kidnapping excursion.”
“I’ll drink to that.” She extended her bottle, and he tapped his to it. Rehabbing the house was all the vacation she wanted. Every hour spent in Austin was an hour she wasn’t doing real work. A few more weeks, she promised herself. A few more weeks and she would be back in the field—where she belonged. After they’d both enjoyed a long swallow, she asked, “Now, tell me again how you just happen to be in the same neighborhood the day I arrive at a house I only closed on a couple of weeks ago?”
…
Cage studied the suspicion glittering in Bianca’s eyes and suppressed a smile. She had every right to be wary of his intentions, and there was no way not to look odd in the situation. The captain had understood his dilemma but was exceptionally clear with his orders. Cage needed to determine whether he’d begun the change in her, and he needed to clean up his mess. It would hardly be fair to her to let her go through what might be a hellish experience on her own. The incident could also compromise the security of the packs—utterly unacceptable on all levels. Of course, not telling her anything about what might happen until he was certain it would happen created another point of contention.
“I grew up here,” he told her honestly. The truth was always easier, even if he couldn’t tell her the whole truth. “Not here, in this neighborhood. But a few miles south. Texas Hill Country has been my stomping grounds for years.” He’d run those hills, savoring the sweet breezes on hot summer nights. She could probably appreciate the description, just not the fact he’d been running on four legs instead of two.
“Huh, that’s convenient.” Sarcasm edged her words, but her smile relaxed a fraction. The tension coiling through her scent since he’d entered diminished as well.
“Maybe, but I just bought the house across the street. Got here yesterday.” Also not a lie. He’d called in a favor, and thankfully Kat had been more than willing to run a full background check on Bianca Devlin for him. The credit check turned up the information on her house purchase two weeks before. Apparently, she’d used a legal power of attorney and closed on it before she even went to the resort. A few more phone calls determined several houses in the area were for sale, and he’d dug into his savings and took the hit to purchase the place across the street. It was amazing how fast one could flip a house with a direct offer to the owners that was 20 percent above their asking price. Luckily, he’d chosen one where the family had already moved out.
Whatever happened with Bianca, he could turn the house over to the pack. There were always young mated couples wanting a place closer to the city, at least at first. Either way, it wouldn’t go to waste.
“I just bought this place,” Bianca admitted, sitting forward. Amusement trickled into her tone. “What are the chances?”
“I have no idea.” He forced himself to relax into the chair. The lie tasted bad on his tongue, but he’d have to get used to it. Until he knew whether the bite would change her, he had to play it cool. He’d seen her arrive and intended to give her a day or two before surprising her, but the wide-open front door left him and his wolf restless.
They didn’t like her being exposed, open. He didn’t know everyone in the neighborhood. They might all be perfectly pleasant people, but an open door was an invitation to any lunatic who wandered by. He’d waited ten agonizing minutes for her to close the damn thing. When she didn’t reappear, he took matters into his own hands. “I was surprised when I saw you getting out of the cab.” Also not a lie. He expected her to arrive in her own car.
“My car and belongings are currently in storage in Maryland. It should be on its way in the next few days. First place on US soil that I’ve lived in in the last few years. I figure I can get some groceries delivered and do some stuff around here while I wait for my things.”
Curiosity reared through him. He’d read some of her background, her work in world aid organizations, but he wanted to know more about her personally. From her. “First time in a few years? I know about the trip to Costa Rica. Where else have you lived?”
“I lived where the work was—the Congo, Nigeria, Kenya, India, parts of Pakistan, and China. Some time in Japan after the tsunami. I go where I’m needed.”
She was a damn saint. Before joining Bravo Team WOLF, his world revolved around his pack. While his travel involved executing missions, he’d seen more of the world. Most of it wasn’t pretty.
“You’re incredible.”
“No, I’m human. You’re the guy who whooshes in and saves the day.”
She crossed one of her legs over the other. He didn’t miss the wince as her expression tightened. Pain was still with her.
“Can I get you anything?”
“No, I’m good. Just sore. See, you got that hero thing going on.”
“You’re more of a hero than I am. I go where the job sends me. You go yourself.” He didn’t bother to disguise his awe.
“Maybe.” She tried to wave off his compliment, but pleasure warmed her cheeks and sent a bit of pink to suffuse them. “You could say it’s in my blood. I was raised pretty much all over the world. I came back to the States for college and I think I did a year of junior high here, but my parents were both in Doctors Beyond Borders. They still are. Right now they’re in Syria, treating refugees and orphans.”
She came from a family of saints.
“Surely they came back to meet you at the hospital here.” His father might be a distant and somewhat cold man, but Reuben would appear in a heartbeat if Cage truly needed him. They didn’t know how to talk to each other, but they did know how to protect each other.
“No, they’re pretty much penned in where they are, and I don’t think they were even notified.” She couldn’t have shocked him more if she tried. “Which is good, ’cause they didn’t have to worry, since I’m fine. Why upset them unnecessarily?”
“Because they’re your family.” He couldn’t help the growl punctuating the words. “They should be here for you.”
Amusement flickered in her eyes. “I’m a big girl, Cage. I can take care of myself.”
Not that he could dispute it; she’d been taking care of Collin in that little hell hole, and she’d kept the kid alive until his team could get to them both. Even when he’d found her cornered by one of the soldiers, she’d not given up. She’d still been fighting.
“Well, I don’t like it,” he said, uncaring of how dark his voice had turned. Lifting his beer, he took another long pull. “Trauma is trauma and you should have support.”
“Well, then I guess it’s a good thing we’re…neighbors?” She touched his leg lightly with one of her bruised toes, and the electric sensation shocked his system. Was she really trying to comfort him when he was angry on her behalf?
“Neighbors.” He tried out the word, echoing the emphasis she’d placed on it. “I like that. And in the spirit of being neighbors, why don’t you come over to my place for dinner?” He’d already hit the grocery store. The house had been purchased sight unseen and furnished by a decorator he’d paid extra to make sure none of the pieces had ever been on display. He didn’t want his house to smell like thirty other people.
“I don’t want to impose. How about I order food and you can join me here?” Caution, not rejection tempered her tone.
“Why don’t we split the difference and I take you out?” It was like a game of one-upmanship, but Bianca chuckled and shook her head.
“Splitting the difference would be eating here and letting you pay for the food.” She spread her hands as she spoke. The breeze swirled around her, carrying some of her lemony sweetness—sharp, tart, and mouthwateringly appealing. His wolf wanted to roll around in the scent until they were coated in it.
“I’m game to pay, but I want you to be comfortable.” If she wasn’t comfortable or happy with the situation, he wouldn’t push. Cage needed to win her trust, earn the right to be around her. That way he could observe. The turn affected people differently, which was why it was usually only approached under controlled circumstances with knowledgeable wolves who could not only support the affected person, but also guide them and if necessary use dominance to control them if they went a little manic.
“It’ll sound a little vain, but I’ve had enough people staring at my face and offering me everything from domestic violence brochures to offers to shoot the guy who did it to me. I’d really rather not deal with people staring at us at a restaurant and wondering if you beat me.”
Cage paused, outrage and humor vying for supremacy in his mood. “I’d never hit you.”
“Yeah, that’s not the point—the people would think it, then they would stare and some would feel sorry for me because, obviously, I’m too helpless to save myself. Some would be disgusted, wondering why I’m still with my abuser, and still others would want to kick your ass or rescue me. And it wouldn’t matter that all of them are wrong; it would be supremely uncomfortable.”
In that moment, she’d painted a rather startling picture for him. Bianca Devlin was a crusader trying to save the world, but she definitely didn’t want people paying attention to her.
The dissonance between the two concepts left him grasping at a response. His kneejerk reaction was to say screw them all, they’d go where she wanted and how she wanted. If people stared or gave her a hard time, he’d deal with it.
“That’s a convoluted journey you took me on there, but I think I’ll take dinner here—my treat—for 500, Alex.” The Jeopardy joke did what nothing else he’d said truly managed—Bianca relaxed, and a smile eased the shadows from her face.
The expression tugged at her bruised cheek, and she winced a little, but it didn’t diminish the simple joy in her smile.
“Awesome. Of course, now we have to figure out where to get food from. You’re from the area, so you probably know the best places to order from?”
“Here? Not a clue.” He stood briefly and tugged his phone out of his back pocket before dropping back into the chair. It wasn’t as sturdy as he would like, nor was the one she was sitting in. He could probably add some support boards or maybe replace them. “However, we have this wonderful thing called the Internet…”
Bianca leaned her head back, and the sun peeked through the trees to light up her hair. The dark brown had rich highlights of honey gold, and her relaxed expression captivated him.
“I forget how easy everything is here. Want pizza? Just call out for it. Need some groceries? Order them online and they’ll be delivered. If you have a job that requires you to work at home, you never have to leave. It’s insane.”
Even as Cage brought up local restaurants with a quick search, he grinned. “It might be insane, but there’s a lot to be said for convenience. Some places here are miles from a decent burger or pizza. You wouldn’t want to drive around in circles and then end up eating fast food.”
“Babe, I’ve been in places where you could walk ten miles and the only food you’d find is a kind soul willing to share what meager offerings they have. It’s all super convenient and strange. I didn’t even have a computer before I was a teenager, and we’re still using modems in some of the countries I lived.”
There was roughing it, then there was just downright primitive. “A modem? Even military bases have wifi overseas.”
“Doctors Beyond Borders don’t go where there are strong urban centers and solid infrastructures. They go where they’re needed—the middle of nowhere, places where they still use smoke signals to communicate, or mirrors to reflect the sun. I can even do Morse code if necessary.” Pride echoed in her words. Stretching her legs out, she balanced her half-drunk beer on one thigh. “Everything here is too easy. It was why I only did one year of junior high in the States, then went back to studying wherever my parents were stationed. It was like information overload. Everyone has a cell phone, everyone has cable or wifi. You can download movies, grab whole albums, text, tweet, or call, log onto social media, and take pictures of your dinner or your cat. Though, I admit, cat videos are pretty awesome.”
“It must have been culture shock for you.” Cage couldn’t deny his fascination. According to the background information, Bianca was in her late twenties, but she wasn’t like any woman he’d ever met. Committed, self-aware, and most importantly, honest and aboveboard. Nothing she said carried an ounce of deception. It only served to jab at his conscience.
“Then some. Hell, I was only on vacation at that crazy resort because my boss was worried about me. I’ve been going from one disaster to the next for so long, and he said I needed to rotate out to the real world for a while, get some perspective.” Her eyes took on a distant appearance and Cage lowered his phone to study her. “This isn’t the real world. This is a fantasy place where the water is clean, there’s air conditioning, and easy access to all the food I could want. I just have to pick up a phone.”
“If you could be anywhere”—he couldn’t help asking, he had to know—“where would you be?”
“Maybe in Syria, helping kids who’ve been orphaned by the war there. Or in the Caribbean, rebuilding the islands devastated by the hurricanes—or maybe even in Florida, helping out with the rebuilds there. There’s always a place drowning or on fire or starving… But I’m on a mandatory leave and the kidnapping incident…that’s gonna get back to Peter and he’s going to be pissed.”
Cage already didn’t like him. “He’s going to be mad at you for being taken captive?”
“No, he’s going to be mad I didn’t tell him, and he’s going to point out that I was reckless, I was in a bathing suit, and I rushed armed men. I didn’t think through the consequences of my actions.”
“Yes, you did.” Of that, Cage held zero doubt. It didn’t matter that the idea of her in danger incensed his wolf and left the man with the urge to wrap her in an embrace and keep her safe. What mattered was what Bianca believed, and what she’d accomplished. God, he wanted to tell her the truth, but he didn’t dare risk it. He had no idea if she really would change from a single bite—it had to be more of a graze of his teeth. There was still a possibility nothing would happen. He had to cling to that hope. Either way, telling her now would be selfish, and it could pose a threat to her and the packs. Neither was acceptable.
“You sound very certain.” Her gaze came to rest on him, the full weight and focus settling his raised hackles.
“I am. The consequence was that that little boy faced his horror alone. Instead, he faced it with an ally at his side, one who didn’t abandon him and fought to secure his freedom. I told you on the ship, you were the hero. This Peter person can shut the hell up, and if he gives you a hard time, you send him to me. I’ll take care of him.”
The corner of Bianca’s mouth curved, and her eyes shimmered. It took Cage a moment to realize they were shining with unshed tears. Panic surged through him. He’d made her cry?
“Thank you.” She whispered the words, her husky voice low and seemingly deeper with emotion. “It’s been a long time since someone told me I was right.”
Needing to defuse the situation and get rid of those tears before his wolf eviscerated him with the demand to fix it, Cage spread his hands. “Hey now, I didn’t say you were right…I just said you thought through the consequences.”
The tease worked. Her tears vanished and she let out a soft bark of laughter. “Fair point. Fine, what are we having for dinner?”
Dinner. Excellent plan. No tears in dinner. More, dinner kept him close to look after her, to watch for changes, and to hope against all hell he was wrong. He pulled up the phone search, then moved his chair closer to hers until their knees brushed. The contact settled his agitated wolf, and he handed the phone over. “Let’s see what convenience will get us.”