The men faced off and Delilah whirled on Jake. “Don’t get all alpha-male on me about this Jake. I can handle myself.” She held up the knife from her boot. “You saw him bleeding when he left, right? I’m fine.”
“Jake, you’ll go with her but she’s right. She has the experience in turning over rocks and finding out what people want to know. Just keep backing her up like you’re doing,” Xavier said.
Jake growled and Xavier blinked at him in surprise. Jake couldn’t remember the last time he’d challenged his friend but damn, this was madness. He couldn’t think straight and every time he imagined Delilah out there sleuthing around or whatever the hell she did, he lost it.
But he also knew arguing with Xavier was pointless. Even with a lifetime’s worth of friendship between them, the fact was that Xavier was alpha. Period.
So instead of arguing, he shoved off from the counter and stormed out, leaving a speechless cabin in his wake.
He made it as far as the truck and slammed his hands against the bed, using it to prop himself up as he hung his head and concentrated on breathing deep.
“Dude. You all right?”
His head snapped up and he found Nash watching him cautiously.
Jake glared at him, happy to have someone here to take his anger out on. “That breathing shit you taught me doesn’t work. I’m still pissed,” he said.
Nash’s brow rose and for some reason, it infuriated Jake. “In fact, all of your metaphysical bullshit is on my nerves. You’re just a dude who likes to sit with his eyes closed. It’s called napping.”
“You’ve got it bad for her, huh?” Nash said and Jake growled, doing everything he could to resist the shift right here. He’d lose his pants. Again. But he didn’t care. His nerves were out of control. His bear wanted out.
“What are you talking about?” Jake huffed.
“Dude, I’ve never seen you mad especially for no reason. You’re the happiest guy I know. But you’re grumpier every time I see you lately. You want to tell me what’s up or just fight it out? I can do either one.”
Jake seriously considered taking him up on the fight but Nash was right. His shoulders slumped. He was never the fighter of the group. That was Harley. And Lucas when the demons got too bad. “Man, it’s your dumbass vision.” Nash’s brows furrowed and Jake threw his hand up. “The vision. From our lake trip? The human girl with wavy hair. Bleeding. Me standing over her with her blood on my hands. I kill her, Nash. I fucking kill her. That’s what you said. And even knowing that, I can’t make myself stay away from her. Shit, she’d be dead already if it weren’t for me. What am I supposed to do with that?”
“First, calm the hell down. Breathe,” Nash said and Jake evil-eyed him. “Right, not helping,” Nash added. He blew out a breath and ran a hand through his blond hair, sending it sprawling in all directions. “I forgot all about that damned vision so my bad, man. Okay, look. Visions are sketchy things.”
Jake cut him off. “If you tell me the future is liquid or any of that hippie bullshit,” he warned.
Nash put up his hands. “Easy man. First, recognize that your bear is claiming her. That is why you’re feeling crazy about letting her walk across the street without holding her hand.”
“Jake’s bear is claiming the PI?” Lucas appeared from the woods, hands thrust in his pockets. He looked back and forth between them, his dark hair ruffled and his cheeks flushed.
“Dude, you okay?” Nash asked Lucas.
Lucas shrugged. “Just fighting the urge to bash some heads.”
“Did you do that chant I taught you?” Nash asked.
Lucas nodded. “Twice. Very helpful, man,” Lucas said.
Jake wanted to strangle them both. “You really think my bear’s making a claim?” Jake asked quietly.
“Dude, for sure,” Nash said.
Lucas clucked his tongue, cocking his head sympathetically. “Damn, first Xavier, now Jake. Ya’ll are dropping like flies. Who’s next?”
Nash snorted. “Please. No ball and chain for me.”
Jake rolled his eyes. “Not helping.”
“All right, man, look,” Nash said, sobering. “She’s a tough chick. She’s not going to sit inside and let you beat on your chest and protect her from everything that moves. Accept it.”
“And the vision?” Jake demanded.
“The vision is liquid,” Nash began, echoing the very words Jake warned him about. “Ever changing like destiny.”
Jake growled, not in the mood for Nash’s new age bullshit right now. “What the hell does that even mean? She’s human. Claiming her could kill her!”
“Nah, that PI is tough as shit,” Lucas said. Jake growled, his frustration running over. He had to bite his tongue to keep from outright snarling at his friends. They weren’t taking this seriously enough.
Nash sighed. “Stop worrying, Jake. If she’s your mate, it’ll work out.”
Jake eyed him. “How do you know this?”
“Because I’ve seen it,” Nash said simply. Jake had no idea if he meant mates in general or another vision of Jake. He wasn’t sure he could even handle the answer right now.
Before he could ask, Nash thumped Lucas on the shoulder. “Come on. Let’s go see what Xavier needs from us,” he said. “Delilah can’t get all the cool assignments.”
Jake watched them go, mulling over Nash’s words. Claiming her. Shit, he’d known he was falling for her but that was something else. Something a whole lot bigger. Before Xavier’s recent claim on Laurel, he’d never seen a claimed couple. His parents sure hadn’t been. His mom was human and his dad had been… well, the only thing his dad claimed was the winning pot.
But he did know claiming a human was serious business. The bite alone could kill her. Not to mention how it was affecting him and he hadn’t even done it yet. He’d had no idea it would be this intense or even how to recognize the signs. And Nash had already known. Just like he’d known about her—the vision. Fuck.
He still didn’t know what he was going to do about that. But one thing was for sure. He wasn’t letting Delilah Henry get away. Not if his bear had anything to say about it. His bear intended to claim her. Maybe then, she’d be safe.
First, he intended to deal with Ray Donovan.