Shaw (Alpha Geek #6) - Milly Taiden Page 0,35

to the top of his feet. “You could always see right through me,” he said.

“That’s right. Now spill it.”

Shaw took a deep breath. He could only hope that this would go smoothly. “I have to bring you someplace safe. I can’t explain, but some things are happening. You’re in danger here. Poppy is a nurse, and she works at a nursing home that will make space for you while I find a better place for you.”

“If you’re going to put me in one of those places, you might as well feed me the lasagna to soften the blow,” Nana snapped. “We had a deal.”

“I know,” Shaw said, rushing toward his grandmother. “And it’s just temporary while I figure out how to deal with the Cains.”

“Does this have anything to do with your new bod?” Nana’s eyes were narrowed into sharp, all-seeing points.

“Something like that. I messed up, but I’m going to fix it.”

“Feed me that lasagna and let me eat with this nice young lady while you pack my things. If you’re lucky, I won’t polish off all of the food.”

Shaw kissed the top of her head, her fluffy white hair tickling his nose. He gave Poppy a hopeful smile and went toward the back of the apartment to pack some of Nana’s things.

He could only hope that his grandmother, loyal and kind as she was, would be able to talk him up. Poppy had been cold and withdrawn all day. He hadn’t known her for very long, and it was difficult to understand what her temperament was when she wasn’t furious. His tiger was pretty sure that she wasn’t behaving like herself at all.

Shaw couldn’t blame Poppy, really, for being distant. They had barely gotten started, and he had delivered a blow to their budding relationship that most mortal relationships couldn’t weather.

But he was a shifter now, and he wasn’t giving up.

Chapter Seventeen

Poppy

Poppy and Nana watched as Shaw walked away. No sooner had he disappeared into the bedroom that Nana turned her keen eyes toward Poppy. The old woman scrutinized her carefully, taking her in. Poppy knew that she was being sized up and measured. For a reason she couldn’t explain, she really wanted Nana to like her. Perhaps it was because Poppy had always been starved of maternal energy in her life. But maybe it was because she wanted Shaw’s family to like her.

That was ridiculous, though.

Poppy didn’t want to have any attachment to Shaw. He might have been her mate, but she had made up her mind to not trust him. Even after Nick’s words, Poppy was reluctant to give in to a man who could manipulate, lie, and steal. She had had enough of that with her uncle and cousins growing up.

Nana picked up the takeout bag and took it to the small kitchen. Poppy followed her, insisting that she should help. The aged lady waved her off with dignity and a solid sense of self-assuredness. Her wrinkled hands were steady as she emptied the bag and took out a few forks. She settled down at a tiny table framed by two old-school metal chairs with paisley cushions on the seats. Poppy sat down, feeling Nana’s impending questions.

“Are you going to tell me what he’s mixed up in, or am I going to have to guess?” Nana took a hearty mouthful of the lasagna.

Poppy pushed the food around the metallic takeout dish. “I think I’ll let him explain himself.”

“I’d rather hear it from you.”

“Well,” Poppy shuffled in her seat uncomfortably. She could tell that there was a special bond between grandson and grandmother, and she didn’t want to shatter that illusion. It wasn’t her place, and she knew that if she did speak, it would be tinged with anger and hurt. It wasn’t the place to air out her grievances toward Shaw.

“Okay,” Nana finally said after Poppy had been lost in her thoughts too long. “I’ll pester him about it, then. I wouldn’t want to come between you two.”

“Oh,” Poppy blushed deeply, she could feel her cheeks heating from it. “We’re aren’t together.”

“He’s a good kid,” Nana said, completely ignoring Poppy’s correction. “He’s always tinkering on his computers. I’ve always worried that he would end up alone with all of those screens, with no real company, if you know what I mean.” She winked between two mouthfuls of her meal. “I won’t be alive forever, and it would nice to know that he has someone he loves to see him through. It’s not easy, going through