Page 20 of Broken By Her Mate
Once they were inside and settled in the kitchen, Elena said, “I feel like tea. What about you?”
Laila gazed around the kitchen and replied, “I’ll go with coffee.” She’d barely slept last night, and she needed the caffeine boost.
Elena moved around the kitchen, and Laila watched silently, wondering if she should tell Elena why she was really back in town.
“So, Laila, what have you been up to?” Elena asked. “It’s been, what, five years?”
Laila took a deep breath. “Yeah. I’ve been keeping busy, working... building my business. I own a bakery in Cedar Ridge.”
“I remember you saying you wanted to have your own bakery one day. Congratulations.”
“Thanks.” Laila was surprised that she had remembered. “I hear you’re a mom now. That’s great.”
Elena beamed. “It is. Ryder and I love being parents. You’ll get to meet Elise soon. If you’ll be sticking around, that is.”
Laila smiled with gratitude when Elena handed her a mug of steaming coffee and slid the sugar and cream toward her.
“So…” Elena sipped her tea and eyed Laila over the rim of her cup. “You and my brother… Are you two back together?”
Laila knew that question was coming and had prepared for it. “No.”
Elena’s eyebrows drew together, and disappointment flickered across her face. “Oh. That’s too bad.”
“Honestly, Elena, I’m only back in Bellefleur because Tolliver has taken it upon himself to protect me.” She stared at Elena, gauging her reaction. When all she got was a blank look, she knew Tolliver’s sister was in the dark about what was going on. “Apparently, I’m in danger. Well, I’ve started to believe that I really am.”
“Oh my gosh, Laila, what’s going on?”
Laila swallowed. “I’m not entirely sure, but Tolliver told me something about female shifters being kidnapped for breeding purposes.”
Elena gawked. “Holy crap! That’s insane and sinister. Who would do something like that? And how is my brother sure you’re a target?”
Laila shrugged. “You’ll have to ask him.”
“This must be a Black Ops situation. I’ll ask Ryder. I can’t believe he hasn’t mentioned it to me.”
“Maybe he’s trying to protect you from the crazy stuff.”
“Maybe…” Elena huffed. “Laila, this is terrible.”
Laila let out a weary sigh. “Tell me about it. I was dragged away from my life and have been holed up in my grandmother’s house for days. Today is the first time I’m getting some air. And your brother might very well have my head for leaving the house.”
“Don’t be too hard on Tolliver. He can get a little overbearing when he’s in protective mode.”
Laila wasn’t upset about Tolliver wanting to protect her. It was the tension and weirdness between them that got to her. Who wanted to constantly be in proximity to the person who broke their heart?
“Tolliver thinks he needs to be my bodyguard,” Laila said. “While I appreciate him looking out for me, I’m a shifter, too. I can take care of myself. Sure, I let my guard down. I was living in Cedar Ridge, surrounded by humans. Now that I know what’s going on, I know to watch my back, and I don’t need a babysitter.”
Elena chuckled softly and shook her head. “I get your frustration. But shifters are super protective and possessive of their mates. They drive you crazy, but they mean well.”
The word mates instantly had Laila throwing up emotional barriers. “Tolliver and I aren’t… Well, you already know that.”
The room got quiet as Elena’s eyes shifted to Laila. “Right… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make things weird.”
Laila nodded. “It’s fine.”
Although curiosity shone in Elena’s eyes, she didn’t press the issue, to Laila’s relief. Talking about her relationship—or lack thereof—with her ex-mate’s sister was the height of awkwardness.
“Tell me more about your bakery,” Elena said.