Page 72 (1/2)

The moment she was fully healed, Trick cradled her on his lap Shit, her heart was beating too fast and her breathing was now too damn shallow He rocked her "Breathe with lassy Her face was pale and cla His wolf paced, still edgy with panic

"Who shot Cruz?" asked Frankie

"Josh," said Marcus, hovering "He’s a crack shot"

Trick recalled Cesar telling them that the Alpha kept a rifle as a keepsake He ht then his only concern was his mate

He smelled a familiar scent just before his mother crouched beside thelass of water "Here, baby girl, drink this"

Trick took the glass and lifted Frankie just enough for her to sip at the drink That hen Uhtly smacked his head He flinched "Ow What the fuck?"

"Don’t curse at me," repriht out of h thatI know you had to get to your lad that you didn’t But that doesn’t h hell"

Completely stunned that she’d break down that way in public, Trick glanced at his father, as standing beside her Michael gave Trick a look that said "See, she loves you"

Trick simply told her, "I’ wreck"

Michael offered Frankie an affectionate slass back fro Trey as she backed up She lightly touched his arm "Sorry, Trey"

His Alpha blinked, clearly surprised that he hadn’t gotten his usual scowl His brow creased as he said, "U on Frankie, gently petting her When they finally cleared, Trick looked down at his et you hoot me out," she whispered

He frowned "Of course I did I’ a spot on her forehead that was free of dust and blood

"You shouldn’t have coainst herI wouldn’t do for you Get that through your head"

Her eyes suddenly filled "Cruz killed them He killed my parents He was Christopher’s lover for a while"

Trick’s brows lifted "I would never have guessed"

"Cruz believedthey were nified by a thousand" Nose tingling, she sniffled "I’ry at Cruz, but a part of me is also relieved"

"Because now you know the truth"

"Yeah And now I know that I really wasn’t holding back from you or the bond I just hadn’t acceptedthat uilty I so badly wanted it to have all been so mistake" That inner turmoil had felt like an elastic band around her chest for so long "Now that I knoas, I canSo you’d better brace yourself" And the elastic band snapped

"Brace for--?" A sharp impact slammed into Trick’s head and chest His world briefly shook and dimmed, but there was no pain And suddenly it was like she was inside him Their bond had clicked fully into place, and a relieved breath shuddered out of his wolf "About fucking tiainst her skin to rub up against hi her in his arms, Trick stood just as Josh approached them "I heard what you did I’m in your debt"

"You’re my brother’s pack mate--there’s no debt" Josh cast the wrecked cabin a look "I think it’s safe to say that Cruz didn’t survive that If he did, he’s all yours"