Ruler (Wolves of Royal Paynes #2) - Kiki Burrelli Page 0,63

smell. "Thank you," he said again before backing away. "I'm switching with the twins."

They must've been wherever the lady was.

Jazz cleaned up the wrappers of the first-aid supplies we had used. Their were plenty to pick up, thanks to Faust sticking a Band-Aid to every bit of my skin that looked the slightest bit scratched. Hallie only had her elbow bandaged. She had other scratches; she just wouldn't let anyone get near them.

"How was she so clean?" Knox asked. "You weren't the only one checking her out, Faust. Diesel and I both took our turns. I didn't like Storri leaving, but not because I didn't believe that woman was who she said she was."

Faust held his jaw so tightly I watched his pulse beat at his temple. "I don't know."

The twins joined us, their movements fast and sharp. It had been so long since I saw them, I had to remind myself which was which. Jagger was the one with the scar, which meant Huntley was the one opening his mouth to speak. "She's tied from pinky toe to clavicle. Even without Diesel, that woman isn't going anywhere. Now, can someone tell me what she's doing here, and why we put Storri and Hallie in a car with a Portal agent?"

"I thought she was my aunt. She seemed?? I wished I could hate her. I had enough anger in me to hate, but something still stopped me. Why did people have to manipulate and lie so much?

"You talk more now," Jagger commented.

I blushed but didn't let myself hide. "Yes. Welcome home."

Jagger smiled and leaned forward.

I thought it should be strange having this man who was a near stranger in my personal space, but it felt natural as he inhaled softly with his nose near my neck, just as Diesel had done. "There you are, Storri. You smell like Faust now."

"Thank you?"

Both Huntley and Jagger laughed, but the sound was short-lived.

I'd grown accustomed to the others, the way they moved and spoke. I understood the difference between an angry sigh and a tired sigh, even if it was Knox doing the sighing. But these two were completely different, all jerky movements paired with short bursts of emotion. If the others were a marathon, these two were a marathon of sprints.

Faust relayed the events leading to this point. Both listened, asking questions here and there. For the most part, the attention seemed to have moved on from me, and I couldn't have been happier. Gratitude was heavy, and though I preferred it to guilt, carrying it was still exhausting.

Dog rested his head on my knees and whined.

You were in danger today. I didn't like it.

I smiled and scratched behind his ear. "I know, I'm sorry. I won't do it again. I'm never leaving the hotel."

Though I spoke to Dog, everyone in the room could hear me.

Faust frowned. "Let's get you upstairs. I'll grab you whatever books and food you want, but I need to know where you are exactly in this hotel while I'm not with you."

I tried not letting my alarm show that Faust wouldn't be staying by my side.

"I have to be there when we question her, kitten. But I can't go down there unless I know you are in our room."

He didn't want to leave me alone up there. I could tell from his expression even if he hadn't said as much. If he could do this, even though he really wished he wasn't, then I could too. "Okay, I'll wait. Maybe we can grab The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn?"

***

The moment Faust left me with Dog, I'd known I wouldn't be reading a word. My stomach twisted with anxiety, and my thoughts smashed together like bumper cars.

"There is no danger, Storri. You are back home where you need to stay. You are among your pack. You are safe. There is no danger, Storri." I walked from one wall to the other, counting my steps as I had in the tower. Some days, counting and moving were the only things that kept me sane.

Pup, stop. Dog stood longways in front of me. You don't need to pace. You are safe. You're with me. He sat on his hind legs, puffing his chest out, making himself look especially regal.

My nervous spinning energy slowed to a lazy twirl. "You're right. I'm sorry. She didn't hurt you?"

Dog huffed. She tried. Me and Faust have fought out of worse.

Of course he sounded proud at that fact instead of terrified with the memory as I