*Grayson*
If I wasn’t already used to silence when it came to Keera, the entire lunch would have been a lot more awkward than it already was. We are slowly, trying to relieve the tension with talks about what running the pack was like. She definitely hadn’t wanted to talk about herself that was for sure. As we went through the cycle of questioning and answering I couldn’t help wondering what I’d been thinking. I’d practically asked for her to have a casual sex relationship with me.
Keera, of all people.
Keera, who I’m almost one hundred percent certain of, barely liked me. Keera, who once upon a time might have been closer to my sister than her own wolf. Keera, who I’d had an ugly argument with in the past. Not to mention Keera, a human. It didn’t matter that she was my mate. Getting involved with her was wrong in every way. The fact that she’d been the one to point it out was a clear indication that I was more affected by our attraction than she was.
And I hated it.
Our forks clanked against the plates as we wrapped up our meal. I left a bunch of notes on the table, gently placing my hand behind her as we headed out. It was still early enough that there hadn’t been the need for either of us to step out with a coat. The door closed behind us and I reluctantly drew my hand back. Just standing this close to her was torture enough. Lavender and lemon. They were the only scents my nose could pick up.
Clearing my throat, I put some distance between us as the cab we’d ordered arrived.
“Keera?” Someone called from behind us, the voice oddly familiar. We both turned to see who it was. I unconsciously clenched my fists when I realized it was Gabe, the leader of the security team we always reached out to. I felt all the tension that had been surrounding Keera melt the second she laid eyes on him. Her shoulders visibly relaxed, her arms widening as she accepted his hug. I held the door open, surprised I hadn’t pulled it off its hinges yet.
Gabe drew his attention to me then, his arm stretching as he gave me a firm handshake.
I’d barely given him a nod when he turned his gaze back to *my* mate.
He brushed a hand through his hair, his forehead creasing. “I didn’t know you guys had finished with the case,” He said, surprise coloring his voice. Keera cast a sideways look aimed at me. I couldn’t interpret the look in her eyes before she was staring back at Gabe. I could barely even interpret her emotions these days. She’d learned to be so guarded with it, not let me have an inkling of what she was feeling unless she wanted me to.
Her lips lifted in a small smile.
She shoved her hands into the back pockets of her jeans. “We’re not done yet.” Her head jerked in my direction, “Grayson and I needed to see Trevor for something important that’s why we came.” Gabe’s face was the picture of concern as he asked if everything was okay. I couldn’t stop the irritated huff that escaped me, catching their attention. They shot me weird looks before continuing with their discussion.
I was definitely going to break the bastard’s neck any second.
Just when I thought he was finally done, I heard his last word. “. . . think we can catch up before you head back?” I grinded my teeth. The nerve of this guy. I felt Keera’s hesitation before I even saw the stiffening of her back. She seemed to think about something before giving him a nod. I felt my shoulders deflate in disappointment. Well then, at least now I knew exactly where we stood. All the talk about how wrong it would be for us to get involved had not been an act.
She really didn’t want that.
We said our goodbyes to Gabe and got into the cab. I headed to the room, not bothering to wait when she stopped to talk with Linda, the receptionist who’d received us earlier. The door opened minutes later and I looked up from my laptop. She walked in, sparing me a casual glance before moving to lift her duffel bag. “I got another room.” She informed.
Well then.
I pressed my lips together, hiding my reaction to her statement. I held her gaze, listening as she rattled off her room number. It was only a few doors away from mine. The fact that she had gotten herself a different room spoke louder than her words ever had. I nodded my acknowledgement and watched as she took her bags with her and left the room. I tried my best to drown myself in the work before and not in thoughts of Keera.
An hour or two later, my alarm beeped for me to go to bed. As I closed my laptop and got under the covers, I couldn’t deny that a part of me was several hoping she would come back to the room.
She didn’t.
***
We had a quick breakfast in the hotel before heading out. Keera was putting on black pants that cling to her like a second skin, black ankle books and a plain sky blue button down shirt. We were standing on the sidewalk, waiting for the taxi she’d ordered to come pick us up. The tension between us had reduced greatly, probably because we’d slept and gotten ready in different rooms.
Or maybe it was just because we knew we had a long day ahead.
Keera tapped away on her iPad as we got into the back seat of the taxi. “So we have a meeting with Trevor,” She began, choosing to stare out the window rather than look at me. At first. I wasn’t prepared for it. her too. suddenly turn and focus her attention on me. “And then we have to actually get the cameras,” Her tongue darted out to wet her lips. I felt a corresponding tightening in my pants. Her lips parted to say something else but she quickly shut them.
“And then?” I urged.
She turned her head to the back of the driver’s seat, crossing her arms over her chest. “And then I’m meeting Gabe for lunch.” She finished. Ahh, so that’s what she hadn’t wanted to say. I gave her a nod. She could have lunch with the bastard if she wanted to. At least while she was occupied with Gabe I could head out myself to get the stuff I’d actually come to town for.
The cab driver pulled up in front of a skyscraper, one. I recognized as Trevor’s office building.
I gave the man a few bills, running a hand down my face as we walked inside. The elevator doors slid closed and suddenly Keera and I were alone in the tiny space. She took a step away from me, crossing her arms over her chest, pushing her boobs upwards in the process and unconsciously teasing with the peak of soft round flesh through the buttons of her shirt. I cleared my throat, “Keera, we-”
Her eyes shot to mine with an urgency that surprised me.
“Can we not do this here, please?” She whispered, standing straighter and unfolding her arms. It took me a second to realize there was possibly a camera in the elevator. Maybe even worse than that. The elevator doors dinged as we got to the floor where Trevor’s office was at. We both stepped out, Keera smoothing her hair while I dusted imaginary dirt off my shirt. One would think we had been up to something in the elevator but no.
The tension between us was enough to make us edgy.
She put her phone on her ears, telling whoever was on the other side of the line that we were here. A second later we were taking a bend and a hound woman was ushering us in the direction of Trevor’s office. She had on the usual pencil skirt and blouse, her hair wrapped around in a neat bun. When Trevor wasn’t at the labs where he worked with Keera and the rest of the other scientists he had under him, he was here in his office.
We said our thanks, shifting to the side so an elderly lady clutching a ridiculously huge bag could step out. Keera waited for the door to close properly before tapping it thrice and twisting the knob after Trevor had asked that we come in. I drew a quick breath, silently asking the goddess for strength since I had a feeling I was going to need it. We stepped into the room and took the seats across Trevor’s desk after he gestured for us to sit. It wasn’t the first time I’d been here.
It was however the first time I was here since finding my mate.
My senses seemed to be more heightened, slightly irritating my wolf. The office reeked of antiseptic. I could hear the pages of the files on his desk flipping with the cool breeze rushing out of the aircon. More than that I could catch Trevor’s irregular heartbeat, feel the waves of emotion emanating off him. He seemed to be concerned about something. He leaned forward in his seat and shook hands with both Keera and Me.
I didn’t miss the way he lingered when it came to Keera.
Adjusting back in his seat with a low grunt, he flashed an apologetic smile. “Sorry I couldn’t meet you yesterday as planned.” His lips thinned slightly as he fixed his stare on just Keera. He drew his eyebrows together and I had the feeling he was only trying to make a show of being casual. His next words confirmed it. “I finished late with the police but I thought to step by at your place,” He paused, letting his next words drip with meaning. “It was locked.”
Ahh, big guy Trevor wanted to know why she hadn’t slept at her place.
What she’d been doing.
Who she’d been doing, I adjusted in my head only just noticing the way he was looking at her.
Something that made me want to drive my fist into his face. Keera smiled, hanging in to her air of professionalism. “Grayson and I are both staying at the hotel.” She informed calmly. I waited for her to explain why or for him to at least ask why that was but neither of them said anything else. They just looked at each other for a second longer than was necessary and then I felt them brush the issue aside.
For now.
Trevor picked up a few files from the desk, gently hitting their spines on the desk as he stacked them together. “I’d wanted to make sure you had gotten back safely and were okay,” He admitted. He ran a hand through his hair, his eyes coming to meet mine before going back to Keera’s. “I spoke with the tech guy this morning and he assured me he was ready for us to meet with him.”
I’d already run through the entire plan with Trevor while we were still at the pack. I’d told Keera’s reason behind the suggestion and why the council had agreed to it. He’d found it a bit strange but he hadn’t objected. Not when it was looking like he so wanted the team to round up the car and head back to town to their respective jobs. Keera pushed her chair back, rising up to her feet. “It’s settled then. I assume we can get going.”
“Actually. . .” Trevor began, standing to his feet as well. I mirrored his actions because there’s no way they were both standing up while I sat. I sensed his hesitation to continue even before I physically confirmed it. “Grayson and I are going to get the cameras.”
“Alone.”