Nicholas~
Harley thought I wouldn't go with her? That was ludicrous, even if I led the life she thinks I do, I would give it up. If it took a trip to the moon to get my mark on her neck, I would strap on my damn space boots! I thought I had made that clear, and I don't like the idea of her keeping secrets from me. It's evident that she's attracted to the wolfman as her mate, but she doesn't trust the man enough to share that she's in trouble.
'You're the pot calling the kettle black in the keeping secrets department. It's a two-way street, Nick. I also want to mark my mate, but Harley has to know who you are and who sent us before we do. If she finds out any other way than from you, you'll be lucky if she ever speaks to you again.'
'I have been thinking about that, Zeek. How would she find out? Kyle will not rat on me, and it's not like she's going back to Ian's place. There's no good reason to tell her anything at all. She never has to know that Ian has found her. We could just bide our time and ride off into the sunset with our mates.'
'No! Our mates deserve to know who they are. How will you explain to Harley that she is a powerful guardian without telling her about Ian or her mother? You are the one who said we can't force them. If you don't tell her who she is, it's the same, and you know it.'
One thing about my wolf is that he causes me to think beyond what I want to know. I don't know what will happen when Harley discovers the truth about herself, which is why I haven't even tried to tell her. The thought of being separated from her causes a pain in my chest I can't explain. I'm not looking forward to spending the rest of my life camping outside the door to an invisible lake.
'I will find an Ian-free way to tell Harley all I know about the Guardians. It's up to Kyle to tell her about Sabrina.'
My heart was thundering when I entered the station parking lot and spotted Harley getting her bag out of her car. Returning to the squad room wasn't my preference, but I was unsure of the protocol. I should have done more research on how to be a cop. I chuckled at myself.
Who would have thought it? Me, a copper?! Fortunately, when I pull into the spot next to her car, she opens the back passenger side door, tosses her overnight bag onto the seat, and slips into the front bedise me. I should probably say something, all 5-0.
"I missed you, Amante." That's what came out of my mouth instead. Zeek is laughing at me.
"I missed you, too." She pulls the seat belt around her. "Let's go, Wolfman." I pull out of the parking lot with relief, and she sets the GPS.
When she is done, I take her hand, kiss the back, place it on my thigh, and rest my hand on top. "Are you hungry? You haven't eaten all day."
"I suppose I am. You care for me so well. You should be careful; a girl could get used to it."
We hit the eastbound interstate and haul ass. About 30 minutes in, Harley is driving me insane with the little patterns she is drawing on my thigh. I look over at her. She is staring out the window at the scenery flying by. She doesn't even know I have her ready to pull off on a dirt road and have my way with her in the back seat.
"The answer is yes."
I can tell I have pulled her from her thoughts by the look on her face. "Answer to what?"
"I will go with you, Harley. Anywhere and anytime you get ready."
"Alright then, Wolfman, let's save these humans. So we can get the hell out of here."
Harley's phone rang. She took it out of her back pocket and almost immediately dropped it on the floorboard, as if it had turned into a venomous snake in her hand. Her hands were shaking, but she recovered. She picked it up and swiped the screen to reject the call. Before she could, I saw the screen. It was Kyle. She turned it off and stuffed it into her purse.
"Who was that?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.
The cat had her tongue. "Just a friend from work." She stutters before returning her eyes to the window. She doesn't remove her hand from my thigh, but it goes still. I don't like it.
I suddenly have to take a piss. Taking the next exit off the interstate, I pull into the nearest gas station. "I'll be right back."
I go inside and head for the bathroom. After locking the door behind me, I pull out my phone. 'Harley is with me. I haven't told her yet, she will not answer you.' I hit send, turned on airplane mode, and returned to the car.
Harley has already rerouted the GPS. "We don't have to get back on the interstate. Culver City is just a few miles away." She crooked her finger at me. "Come here."
"Yes, Amante." I leaned into her.
She placed the sweetest kiss on my lips. "Thank you."
"I don't know what I did, but if you tell me, I'll do it again." I went in for another.
She laughed as I brushed my lips to hers, and my heart jumped. "Just keep being the wonderful, honest, caring man that you are."
We need to go on that one. Those things are far from me. My hand brushed a stray curl from her face. "I am glad you think so." I put on my seat belt and put the car in reverse.
It is less than 20 minutes before we pull into the combined Culver City police and courthouse building. This time, I get to open the car door for Harley, who then receives a kiss on the nose before we enter.