Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 129756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 649(@200wpm)___ 519(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 649(@200wpm)___ 519(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
The Mercury Pack would have the security covered, and Dominic trusted them to be on the ball. But Mila was his mate—the more protection she had, the better. Like Mila, his pack mates didn’t think Pierson would act so fast, but Dominic wasn’t taking any chances.
Shielding Mila’s body with his own, Dominic shouldered his way through the crowds. People called out hellos, seeming surprised to see them. They were especially surprised by the claiming marks that Mila and Dominic wore, so he assumed that they hadn’t believed the news that he was mated.
Reaching the greenroom, Trey and Dante did a quick but thorough scan of the space. Satisfied, Dante nodded at Dominic. “It’s clear. I’d advise you to lock the door behind us.”
Which was exactly what Dominic did, leaving him and Mila alone. He rolled back his shoulders. They were so stiff, they ached.
“Everything will be fine,” said Mila, settling on the chair in front of the vanity.
He watched as she swiftly and expertly dabbed on some makeup, her hands constantly in motion. And she was humming. Yes, humming. He didn’t know how she could be so relaxed. But then, performing was her outlet for stress, he remembered. Being here was probably comforting for her.
Hearing a knock on the door, Dominic felt his body go rigid.
“No enemy is going to politely knock on the door,” Mila pointed out gently.
Making a mental note to tell Harley to add a peephole, Dominic opened the door a little. The sight he found sent rage whipping through him. His wolf’s ears flattened as a dark, guttural sound rumbled in his chest. “What the fuck?” Dominic burst out.
Joel raised his hands in a gesture of peace. “I just want to talk to Mila.”
“Are you shitting me right now?” If Dominic had even suspected the guy would show up there, he’d have asked the doormen to keep the asshole out. Joel hadn’t done anything wrong, true, but his commitment to Adele was no longer absolute; he might now covet the one thing that Dominic and his wolf couldn’t live without. They didn’t want Joel anywhere near Mila.
“I just want to talk to her for a minute, that’s all,” said Joel, sounding so fucking reasonable that Dominic wanted to punch him.
“There’s nothing you’ve got to say that she needs to hear.”
Joel’s jaw set in a hard line. “You do know she can speak for herself, right?”
Dominic’s wolf snapped his teeth. “Don’t test me.”
“I’m not here to stir shit up. I’m here to speak with her. You’re her mate, I get it—”
“Then leave.”
Joel jutted out his chin. “What I have to say is between me and Mila—”
“There’s nothing between you and my mate,” Dominic ground out, his fingers contracting like claws. “There never will be.”
“I know. Like I said, I just want to talk to her.”
Crossing to Dominic, Mila stood a little behind him and placed her hand on his rigid back. She could feel echoes of his anger and sensed that he felt threatened. No, she thought, he wasn’t intimidated by Joel, but he viewed the male as a threat to their relationship. She couldn’t have that. Didn’t want him ever feeling insecure with her the way he’d felt as a child. “Let him in, Dominic.”
“No.”
“Let him in.” Mila needed to get this done. Not just because Joel would keep hounding her until he got to say his piece—he was stubborn like that—but because she needed Dominic to see that there was nothing between her and Joel. Especially since the imprinting bond would never form if he had any doubts.
“We can give him a few minutes, right?” she said, purposely using the word we to show that she viewed herself and Dominic as a unit. The tension didn’t leave his spine, but he did relax his hands and back up two steps, allowing Joel to cross the threshold. Mila also backed up, remaining a little behind Dominic.
He jabbed a finger at Joel. “That’s enough. You don’t move any farther than there.”
Joel halted, although his gaze was on Mila. There was no yearning or lust there, only regret and a hint of self-condemnation.
“How did you know I’d be here tonight?” she asked.
“Someone from the pride told me,” replied Joel. “They knew I wanted to talk to you.”
“Make it quick,” Dominic ground out, but Joel didn’t glance his way.
His brow furrowing, Joel swallowed. “I didn’t sense it, Mila. I really didn’t sense that we were true mates. Didn’t even suspect it.”
“Because Adele is your world—I understand that.” Because Dominic was Mila’s world.
“But I hurt you,” he said, his voice thick. “Didn’t mean to. Didn’t know I had. My only excuse is that I love her, I always have.”
“I don’t expect you to feel sorry or guilty for that. I never did.” Her cat did, but Mila kept that to herself.