He snapped his gaze back to hers. Where did you hear his name?
She glared at him. I keep my ears open. I have to if I want to find out anything important around here.
What, you eavesdropped on our meeting earlier? In answer, she merely arched a brow, her militant expression daring him to make something of it. Hed never seen her temper spike so fastin fact, he hadnt even been aware she had one. And he didnt like being the focus of it. Fine. Then you know what Im up against.
What were all up against,
not just you!
Youre the second person today to remind me of that.
Then you should start listening before your stubborn ass gets us all killed.
He blew out a breath in frustration. Working with a team isnt as easy as you make it sound. Not for me. Ive been alone for almost half my life, and experience has taught me the hard way that the only person I can count on is myself. I cant change that sort of conditioning overnight.
Her eyes softened a fraction and some of the tenseness left her posture. Lifes been a bitch for you. I get that. But it hasnt exactly been a picnic for the other guys, either. Or me, for that matter.
You? He blinked at her. Why? What do you mean?
She gave a sad laugh and shook her head. Did it ever occur to you to wonder why I gave up a lucrative private psychology practice to work out here, in the middle of nowhere, in a place that doesnt exist to the rest of the world?
Because your daddyand our bossthe almighty General Jarrod Grant, hooked his baby up with a plum assignment? The smartass comment did exactly what it was supposed to do.
It pissed her off.
No, that isnt why, you jackass, she hissed, the fire back in those glittering blue eyes. You know, if youd wake the hell up and pay attention, you might learn a few things about the people who want to be your friends. I suggest you do that before its too late.
Yeah, everybodys got a shitload of great advice, he spat back. And maybe I dont want or need any fucking friends.
You know what? Ill talk to you when youre in the mood to act like an adult.
With a scathing look, she turned and walked briskly down the hall, putting distance between them as fast as she could. Thats what hed wanted. Right?
Dammit. Mackenzie, wait! he called, taking a step forward.
His path was blocked by a smirking, redheaded wolf shifter who had apparently seen too much of the exchange. Way to go, Goth-boy. Whatll you do for an encore? Twist the heads off her Barbie dolls?
Of all the goddamned people to witness the scene with the doc, this guy was, hands down, the one he wouldve gone miles out of his way to avoid. He and Aric Savage hadnt gotten along since the night Kalen had met the Pack in the cemetery outside town. Kalen had been investigating a series of murders and was in the process of raising a corpse to get some information from it when hed become aware of the shifters presence. After a short but fierce battle, theyd gotten Kalen pinned and Jax had cheated by knocking him out.
After taking Kalen into the compound for questioning, the team had ascertained that Kalen was innocent. He learned that the Pack was looking into the same murders and that they were on the trail of Orson Chappell, the CEO of NewLife Technology. The man was using his scientists to conduct research on splicing human and shifter DNA, and he especially wanted shifters with Psy abilities like those in the Pack. Chappell and his men were murdering innocents in the processthus the poor, mutilated bodies the local authorities had found.
But Chappell wasnt the Big Boss. To their shock, theyd discovered that Malik, masquerading as the wealthy Evan Kerrigan, was the real power behind the gruesome endeavor to create a breed of super-shifter soldier. Hed seduced the now-deceased Chappell and many others to do his bidding.
Just as he was now trying to seduce Kalen into joining him.
But that wasnt his most pressing problem right this second. He felt his lip curl as he glared at Aric. From day one, the Firestarter/Telekinetic had harassed and mocked him at every opportunity. How the asshole had managed to snag an intelligent, gorgeous mate like Rowan Chasea former LAPD copwas beyond Kalens comprehension.
He tried to keep his voice even, but it betrayed his anger. Fuck off, Aric. What goes on between me and Mackenzie is nobodys business, especially not yours.
See, thats where youre wrong, the red wolf replied with a feral smile, clamping down firmly on Kalens shoulder. Mac is
Get your hands off me.
Aric ignored his warning. Mac is my friend. Everyone loves her, and none of us are going to stand by and watch you take a giant dump on her.
Kalen barely heard the words as Arics face blurred. In an instant, memories assaulted him. Terrible ones, ghosts of other male hands in years gone by, many of them brutal. Taking what they wanted. And Kalen allowing the unwanted touches so he could put food in his empty, burning stomach.
Never again.
Mackenzie was the only one who had that right. Her hands were like heaven.