kick her door in either. Once in her lifetime was enough.
I’d texted her last night that I was sorry I’d kept things from her. That I was sorry I put her in danger. I asked if we could talk, and she’d told me not to call. I had to respect that. I remembered what Rob had said about giving her time and space, but it fucking killed me to be estranged from her. Like I literally felt my body withering away like it would die.
So now I sat across the street in my truck. Watched. It had been quiet all night. Clouds had come in and covered the moon. Snow began to fall. Yeah, I spent the night in my truck. No, I didn’t give a fuck about the cold.
Dawn came, and I’d seen no movement from the house. Boyd pulled up a little after seven. He got out, and I rolled down my window. Snow quickly settled on the brim of his hat. He tucked up the collar on his coat. “Just dropped Audrey at the hospital. Go home. Get some rest. Hell, go up in the hills and run. I’ll watch her.”
My wolf was resistant, not wanting to move, but I’d already pissed in an empty soda bottle, and I needed food. I was tired as fuck, too.
“Thanks,” I replied, knowing I had to leave her.
He nodded and went back to his truck.
I watched him settle into his seat before I pulled away. It was fucking hard, but I knew Boyd would take care of her.
A few hours later, I returned. Rand had taken Boyd’s spot. I got out and hopped into his passenger seat. I handed him the to-go cup of coffee meant for Boyd.
“Haven’t seen a thing,” he said, angling his head toward the house then taking a sip of the hot drink.
I looked the place over and panic settled in. “You sure she’s in there? What if we’re watching a fucking empty—”
“Brother, she’s there. Audrey said she’s on administrative leave because of everything going on. Audrey texted with her when I swapped with Boyd. Becky hasn’t gotten out of bed.”
She hasn’t gotten out of bed. While that idea would normally be sexy as fuck, it made my wolf want to howl. I’d hurt her. Bad. This was all my fault. She thought I was a monster.
“She needs to eat,” I growled. “I bet that kitchen doesn’t have an avocado in it.”
He ran his hand over his face, studied the house as if answers were painted on it. “I’ve got an idea. You got it from here?”
I nodded then climbed from his truck and back to mine.
He drove off. I didn’t know what the idea was, but it had better be fucking good.
An hour later, I was ready to peek in the bedroom window to check on her like her deadbeat, dead ex, but Rand pulled up behind me. With Mom.
She hopped out in her heavy boots, thick coat and hat, holding covered dishes. She sported a narrowed gaze I recognized as one that said “get out of my way, I’ve got shit to accomplish.”
Fuck, yes.
Rand was brilliant. Mom had food and hugs and everything Becky needed.
BECKY
I heard the doorbell but ignored it. I heard the knock on the door and ignored that too. When my cell rang, I flopped over in bed and reached for it on the nightstand.
Audrey had texted earlier to check on me. I knew she worked today since I’d been supposed to work with her. Administrative leave was a bitch because I had nowhere to go. Nothing to do. No money. I hadn’t heard from the sheriff to know if I was still under suspicion of Todd’s death.
I knew who’d done it, but it wasn’t like I could waltz on in and tell the guy a shifter ripped Todd’s throat out because my mate, who’d bitten me with his sharp teeth and claimed me for life, was a wolf enforcer who’d shot the guy’s cousin in the head and wanted revenge.
They’d think I was nuts. And I was.
After the night before? How could I not be? The man I loved was part wolf. Wholly dangerous.
I read the text.
It’s Janet. I’m at the door. Let me in. I’m cold, and my hands are full of seven-layer dip and barbequed cocktail wieners.
My stomach growled and had me hopping out of bed at the mention of tiny hot dogs. The last few times I’d thrown up, it hadn’t been from morning sickness. It appeared