“I’m so sorry.” Sloan gripped his shoulder.
“I love you. Thank you for protecting me and Sloan,” Tucker murmured, wrapping his arms around Brock and hugging him tight.
Scout stared at him silently, his eyes full of regret and remorse. “I should’ve done more,” he said simply, and Brock shook his head, rejecting his claim.
He wanted to tell everyone that he’d be okay. He wanted to share the news, that Shaw was his mate, but he didn’t. Even though they all looked sick with worry, he kept his mouth sealed. Maybe one day soon, he’d be able to tell them, but he still wasn’t sure what the outcome of the situation would be and he didn’t want to build false hope.
He was passed around the circle, everyone hugging him and saying their good-byes. It was heart breaking to see the tears.
“We need to go,” Shaw finally said from his place at the front door, and a few sobs rang out, cutting him deep.
“Please, don’t do this!” Sloan demanded. The poor man was completely distraught, and Brock knew it was because he felt responsible, since Paul Darren was his ex-boyfriend.
“Sloan.” Brock touched his shoulder. “It’s going to be okay, man.”
“If I only…I should’ve…It should’ve…” He could barely speak, and Brock smiled sadly.
He wiped the human’s tears away with his thumb before extracting himself from the crowd. Shuffling his feet, he moved toward the front door and his mate, Shaw.
“Do you have a vehicle?” Shaw asked, and Brock nodded.
“Good, because Ranger took the rental,” he murmured.
Pulling the keys from his pocket, he handed them off to Shaw and the right side of his mouth kicked up slightly. That was the first sign of emotion Brock had received from the wolf. Inside the office, he appeared perfectly composed and professional. His scent hadn’t even given him away. Nobody would believe that they were mates.
“Let’s go.” Shaw held out an arm and Brock preceded him.
A car speeding toward them made Brock jerk his head up. He took the steps down off the porch watching closely as the vehicle closed in. When the car skidded to a stop, Lawson jumped up and ran toward him. He wrapped his arm around Brock.
“I got here as fast as I could. Fuck, man.” Lawson was breathing hard as he tightened his hold. “That night, I should’ve gone with you. I’m sorry. I could’ve done something.”
The car door slammed and Brock looked over as Matthew walked toward them. He looked as destroyed as Brock felt. The leopard shifter wrapped his arms around the both of them, sandwiching Lawson between them.
“Thank you for protecting Sloan and Tucker,” Matthew said.
Lawson moved his lips close to Brock’s ear and whispered, “I’m putting my keys in your pocket. We’ll keep the agent occupied while you get away. The tank’s full. Step on the gas pedal and don’t look back.”
Brock felt Lawson’s hand push deep in his pocket and heard a vicious growl from behind him.
He froze instantly.
He wasn’t sure if Shaw heard Lawson’s words or if he was pissed because the man was touching him. Either way, he didn’t want this situation getting worse. If he tried to run, there was no doubt inside his mind that Shaw would do everything within his power to track him down. Besides that fact, Brock knew it was time to face the consequences.
“I can’t,” he simply said, stepping back from the hug. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out Lawson’s keys and handed them back. “Thank you. I appreciate the gesture, but I’ve already decided to go with the agent.”
“He’s one guy. We can stop him and give you time to disappear,” Lawson pleaded and Brock shook his head.
“Lawson, I’ve got to go with him. It’s going to be okay.”
Turning on his heel, Brock strode to the passenger side of his own vehicle. He tossed his bag into the back of the truck before climbing in and buckling up. He held his pillow in his lap, a cushion between him and Shaw. He didn’t know what the future held, but he was hopeful his mate wouldn’t end his life.
Shaw climbed into the driver’s side. He slammed the door and started the engine. Staring out the windshield, Brock stared at his friends as the truck reversed. He tried to memorize each face in the crowd as Shaw swung the vehicle around and headed down the long gravel driveway.
He was tempted to look over his shoulder for one last look, but he didn’t. Closing his eyes, Brock held the pillow a bit tighter.
Chapter 7
Shaw held the steering wheel tight until his knuckles turned white.
It had taken all of his strength to keep from tearing Brock’s friend Lawson apart limb by limb. He didn’t mind the hugs. The pack Brock knew and loved were saying their good-byes, but Lawson tried to convince his mate to run and for that, Shaw was pissed. The man sitting next to him on the bench seat belonged to him and the beast inside Shaw wanted to mark and claim his territory. Keeping distance between them was difficult, but Shaw didn’t feel as though he had a choice.