A Man’s Worth(Brac Pack 31)(16)

He just never told Bryce this, and he was pretty damn sure now was not the time. He could feel the anger flame off of Bryce, hot enough to singe. Ahm watched as his mate walked through the house and disappeared. He lay back down, knowing that he had lost the man.

“Not on your life!” Bryce’s voice could be heard from another part of the house. It held a feral growl and red-hot anger. “Fuck him.”

“Boy, I let you get away with yelling once. Do it again and I’ll put you on your ass.”

Ahm winced. He knew Malcolm’s voice. It was just as angry. “All I’m saying is you need to go talk to him.”

“I need to talk to him like I need a root canal. He’s the one that rejected me, not the other way around.”

Didn’t these men know Ahm could hear them? Then again, did he think they cared? He knew Bryce didn’t because the man was being exceptionally loud.

“And I told you what the prince said.”

Ahm was stunned when he heard a vicious growl. “That was his way of getting help.”

Bryce thought he had…did the man…oh hell. Ahm lay back down, knowing exactly what his mate thought. But Ahm hadn’t used how he felt about Bryce to get rescued.

To hell with this. Ahm was going to heal and then get the hell out of here. He was not about to stick around to watch the hatred grow in Bryce’s light-grey eyes. He may deserve it, but he wasn’t willing to watch it blossom.

He still had to go back to the marshlands and retrieve not only his belongings, but the data about his race’s mortality rate. Even though he was on the run now, Ahm was determined to fix the problem. He needed to get a hold of Rakeym and have the man meet him somewhere. But first he needed to get this damn bracelet off of his wrist.

Malcolm walked into the living room, bringing a tray of food. “Don’t get used to this.” He laid the tray on the coffee table. “I called Dr. Sheehan. He’s on his way.”

Ahm was relieved. He didn’t need the doctor. His injuries would heal. But he wasn’t going to decline the bear’s offer and offend the man. “Thank you.”

Malcolm helped him sit up. Ahm hated being this weak, but had no choice but to let the bear help him. His back protested and his muscles ached, but he managed to stay in an upright position. He reached for the plate, feeling his hunger take over.

“Go easy on the food, son. We don’t know the extent of your injuries.”

“Don’t call him that!” Bryce said angrily as he stepped into view.

Malcolm gave Ahm a glance before walking from the room, but not before stopping next to Bryce and speaking in a low tone. “I don’t care how pissed off you are. If you don’t learn to talk with respect, I’ll remind you who runs this damn house.”

Bryce’s jaw clenched. “Yes, sir.”

The father left the room, leaving Bryce standing there. Ahm took in his fill of Bryce as he ate. The man hated him, so it shouldn’t matter that he was eyeing the bear.

“Get better so you can get the hell out.”

Ahm continued to eat. “I plan to.”

Bryce stepped further into the room. “So, you were just using me to get help.” It was a statement.

Ahm set his plate down, wiping his mouth with his hand before looking back up at Bryce. “No.”

“Is that all you have to say?”

“Look, you are obviously searching for a fight I’m not willing to give. You want to knock me out? You want to hurt me? Get in line. I have a whole tribe ready to slice my throat.” Ahm lay back down. What he really wanted to do was comfort Bryce, but knew that was the last thing the bear would allow. He was more liable to rip Ahm’s throat out than let him hold the man.

He waited for Bryce to hit the roof, but the man just stood there studying Ahm. “You think you’re tough shit, don’t you? You think you have the world by the balls and won’t bow to anyone.”

Ahm had no clue where the conversation was going, but he felt he was dancing on thin ice. “I’m five hundred years old, Bryce. I learned a long time ago that everyone bows at one point in their life.”

He could tell Bryce was not expecting him to say that. He had caught the bear off guard. He was looking for a fight and was stumped that Ahm wouldn’t give it to him. It was in his eyes.



* * * *



Bryce wanted to strangle the man. Why wouldn’t he argue? Why wouldn’t he fight back? The man just lay on the couch as if he really didn’t care. And that pissed Bryce off. He knew he had to leave. Ahm was bringing out qualities in him Bryce didn’t like. He wasn’t an angry man. He didn’t like feeling like this. The pain and rejection were eating him alive.