Rescued by the Wolf (Blood Moon Brotherhood 2)

As for Chase…his wolf would only be happy when he was in pieces. He’d been willing to give her up, to trade her to Cyrus? But she didn’t need his anger. She needed his support. He could swallow the rage for now. He’d had years of practice.

“Olivia,” he whispered, rubbing one hand between his. Her fingertips were ice cold and tense. He watched her eyes drift close, but she stayed withdrawn, and it killed him. “Olivia,” he repeated. Slowly, her fingers warmed, and her hands clutched his. “I’m sorry.”

Her hazel gaze shook him to the core. “You have nothing to be sorry for,” she said. “I wanted to know the truth.”

He cradled her face. “The truth according to Ellen.”

Her hands covered his. “I believe her, Mal.I wish I didn’t, but I do. And so do you.”

He didn’t argue—she was right. Everything Ellen said made sense—horrible, awful sense. The problem was nothing could be said or done to make it right. Olivia knew this; the torment on her face told him so. “Tell me how to make this better.”

“You can’t.” Her lower lip wobbled. “I just want to do something. To find them, save them. We have to stop it from happening again—to anyone.”

He nodded. “We’ll figure it out, Olivia.”

“Promise me?” she asked.

“I promise I will do everything I can to stop it—to stop him.” And he meant it.

She nodded, shivering.

“Shock,” he said, pulling her to her feet. “Water’s hot.” He nodded at the nearly full tub. “It’ll help you warm up.”

“Join me?” she asked, letting him pull her shirt up and over her head. She pulled the tie of her sweatpants, letting the soft fabric pool at her feet. He loved that there was no modesty between them.

“Not a good idea,” he confessed.

“It’s a very good idea,” she argued. “Make me feel good, Mal.” She took his hand, pressing it to her bare breast. Resistance was impossible. His thumb stroked the tip, rolling the nub until it pebbled hard. His pulse kicked into overdrive, sending his blood southward with evident results. “That’s what the bath is for.” Because baths and condoms weren’t a good idea.

With a little frown, she stepped into the bath and sank into the clear water with a sigh.

“Hungry?” he asked.

She shook her head.

“Thirsty?” he asked.

She looked at him. “No.”

He nodded, sitting on the floor and resting his chin on the lip of the bathtub.

She slid her fingers through his hair, drops of water running along his jawline and back into the tub. “Talk to me.”

“About?” Because talking came so naturally to him.

“You.” Her fingers slid through his hair again. “You know I’m the daughter of an organized criminal, whose whole life was a lie.” Her attempt at a joke made her sniff and blink rapidly.

“Not anymore, Olivia,” he promised. “No lies here. That I promise.”

She sniffed, giving a slight nod. “I’m going to hold you to that.”

Damn, what he would give to kill Cyrus right now and drag his body to her—so she could rest easier. Her voice wavered as she went on. “I know you’re a big manly wolf I’ve attached myself to for all eternity. I’m not complaining. I’m just curious about your day job and your parents and where you grew up. You know, normal stuff.”

All things she should have known by now. “My dad raised me. He died a few years back—heart attack. Mom left before I was old enough to remember her.”

“Only child?” she asked, moving around so her face was close to his.

“Why mess with perfection?”