“So. I’m going to look forward to the first day of summer.” He stalked slowly toward her, the edge of his mouth lifting in a delicious way. “Then you can be my summer girl.” His lips crushed hers, and for the next twenty minutes, Katalina, accomplished nothing but thoroughly kissed swollen lips.
“I really must pack!” She eventually swatted him away as he went to pull her back. “Go pack your own stuff.”
“I brought a backpack. It will take me all of ten seconds.”
“Go make some food then. Do something other than distract me.”
Katalina picked a box up, heading outside for the car. Bass swiped for her bottom, his fingers brushing across her cheek as she jumped away with a squeal.
“Leave me alone,” she giggled, opening the front door one handed, whilst balancing the box on her knee. Distracted, she didn't sense the person lurking, waiting to grab her.
"Kat!" Bass gasped too late.
She'd half turned back when a hand closed over her mouth and the sharp edge of a knife pressed against her throat.
The box fell from her grip as she was pushed flush against the wall. With wide eyes she stared at the young man holding her. His ash-blond hair was styled into a messy flick. His green eyes held the look of danger but also mischief, and as for his smile, it said he was having the time of his life.
“Now, tell me, how's a pretty thing like you keeping the alpha’s son locked up?”
“NICO! I'm not locked up. Please take the knife from my mate’s throat,” Bass said sharply.
“Mate?” Nico let out a loud cheeky laugh. “Oh, Bass, this is the best move you've ever pulled!”
“She’s not a move, Nico!” Bass growled.
“Doesn’t matter, your dad’s going to be so pissed! Can’t wait to see you talk your way out of this one.”
Katalina cleared her throat, glaring at Nico.
“Oh, right, yes, sorry ‘bout that.” He peeled his hand from her mouth and removed the knife as he stepped back.
“I’m Nico. Nice to meet ya.” He pulled her in for a hug. Bass growled at the contact. “Oh, chill!”
Katalina stood speechless. She couldn’t imagine this boy growing up in the same place as Bass.
“So, are you always this quiet?” Nico asked, his larger than life smile still on his face.
“What? Oh, no, I’m Kat.”
“Nico, why are you here?” Bass interrupted, taking a step forward, positioning himself between Nico and Katalina.
“Your dad’s on the warpath, Bass. He’s saying River Run have you, he knows it’s not true, but he’s using it as an excuse, gearing everyone up for attack. Your scent’s all over their land but I couldn’t see you. Then their alpha returned. Fuming, he was. I heard him shouting about you and her.” He nodded toward Katalina. “I talked one of the enforcers into telling me the address of this place and came looking.”
“Has he sent anyone out to scout for my whereabouts?”
“No, he doesn’t give a shit. Just wants blood. That’s all he’s ever wanted and you’re giving him a pretty good excuse. I think you best get your ass home!”
“I can’t, not yet.”
“Might be too late now. He’s rounded up a few people willing to attack without proof of your capture. Honestly, Bass, River Run have no chance. They’ve a few good fighters but I saw one guy return cut to hell. He had two others dead in his truck. They have those two brothers, the younger one. He’s a hell of a fighter but pitch a few adults against him and well…”
Katalina listened to every word as it poured in a rush from Nico’s mouth. The more he said, the sicker she felt. Here she was worrying about herself, wanting to desperately to get away from Jackson and now she’d brought them more trouble. She swallowed the lump in her throat and reached out for Bass.
“We need to go.” Her voice was quiet.
Bass wrapped his hand around Katalina’s waist, pulling her to his side. “Kat, don’t worry. We’re going back. Everything will be fine.”
“How do you know that? What about your father?”
“I’ll think of something,” he said quietly, pressing a kiss to her cheek.
“Don’t worry, Kat. Bass is the master of talking himself out of shit! His dad hates it. He’ll scream and shout, and Bass never rises. He voices his opinion and walks away.”
Katalina shook her head at Nico. The boy seemed to love drama. “I can’t imagine you being a rebel, Bass.”
“I’m not a rebel. I just have very different views to my father and I’m not frightened to tell him.”