Page 48
“Yeah, that one,” Angel cheerily agrees. He pads back into the kitchen. “How about I massage your back tomorrow? Am I forgiven?”
Angel gives me his innocent expression.
But hell, am I weak to it.
“You could probably offer a judge a massage and get off a federal charge.”
“Thanks for the tip. I’ll remember that.” Angel holds the phone up in front of my face to show the tracker app, which Luca set up so that we would know his location, as well as the weather and other details. “He’s still deep in Butterfly Creek.”
Worry stabs through me. “I’m more concerned about the storm. It’s getting damn close. I know that it’s a higher risk at this time of year but…”
“He’ll be back tomorrow morning. Then he’ll head straight to Acorn Inn. I figured that it’d be better for him to meet Paige by himself. He needs the space.”
“This’ll be good for him. He’s gone too long without a rut.”
Angel lowers the phone, worrying at his lip. “But you know how feral he can become. He must keep the rut patch on. It was uniquely developed for his medical condition. It’d risk his life otherwise.”
My chest becomes tight.
I wouldn’t risk Luca for fucking anything.
“He knows,” I bite out.
I trust Luca.
He isn’t like Angel who loves testing limits and joking around.
Luca follows rules. He has a strong code of right and wrong. He always keeps his word.
If I needed someone to have my back, I would always choose Luca.
I hate how many people have rejected Luca in his life just because he is direct and honest. If they only took the time to get to know him, they would realize that to the people he views as trustworthy, he develops a deep connection that is more real than I have with anyone else.
Angel hops onto the oak table behind him, facing me.
He swings his legs. “I can’t wait until we join them. Isn’t Paige incredible? I’ve never met anyone like her. Plus, she’s your scent match. It’s been damn near torture waiting to move in with her this week. You excited to meet her?”
Why is he making it sound like a date?
I must slam on the damn brakes before this becomes a trainwreck.
“This is only temporary,” I say sternly. “Remind me what I told you before you went to the first appointment at the Heat Wave Clinic.”
Angel’s expression falls.
“Don’t involve emotions.” His voice is tight. “Be professional.”
“Have you broken that already?” I demand.
A small voice demands the same of me, when I remember the night Paige sends me as a text before I can sleep.
I shake my arm, pulling it out of the water.
When Angel opens his mouth to protest, I hold up my finger in warning. “Answer me, and I’ll put my hand and wrist back under the water.”
“You’re lucky I like uber-dominant Alphas,” Angel grumbles. He wrings his hands in his lap. “I haven’t broken any of the clinic’s rules.”
“What about your emotions?”
