Page 25 of Wicked Stranger

Zane followed her out and waited while she rummaged through her things before climbing out with the contract in her hand. She turned quickly and ran right into him. “Whoa.” He steadied her, taking the contract from her shaking hand.

“Sorry.” She gave him a wobbly smile. “I’m just nervous, and I’m really getting sick of living out of my car.” She rolled her eyes, giving him a fake laugh.

“Do you trust me, Raina?” Zane cupped her chin, bringing her gaze up to his.

“Yes.” She nodded with a sigh. “I do trust you, Zane, but you have to understand I have always had to take care of myself. Never have I had anyone…like you in my life.” Her tears spilled down her cheeks.

“Hey,” Zane knelt in front of her, which made them close to equal height. “I’ve never had anyone likeyouin my life either.” His thumb slowly swiped at a lone tear. “This is new to both of us, but know that I will always take care of you, keep you safe, and love you with everything I have. But I need that promise from you also.”

“You have that promise.” She whispered, her lips trembling. “Though I seem to make a mess of things. Just thought you needed to know that, so if you want to change your mind.”

Zane laughed, kissing her forehead. “I will never change my mind, and if it makes you feel better, I’m a very messy homeowner. So you help me with my messes, and I’ll help you with yours.”

Raina nodded, a smile shining through the tears that still flowed. “I love you, Zane. Thank you for doing this.”

Zane kissed her and then whispered on her lips. “I love you.” He pulled away, looking straight into her eyes. “And never thank me for doing what’s right by you. As your mate, that is my main priority, always.”

“For Goddess’s sake.” Zelda said from behind Zane. “Do that after. We need to get a move on before the asshole leaves for the weekend. I have a Halloween party to get ready for which I expect you both to be there.”

Smiling, Zane gave her a wink. “I expect to see you in a sexy witch costume.”

“I think I can make that happen.” She replied, giving him a sultry smile.

Zane moaned, going in to kiss her one more time, but was stopped when Mac grabbed the back of his neck, pulling him away. “Come on, lover boy, time to go.”

Just as they disappeared, Zane saw the worried look on Raina’s face, and he swore just as the swirling colors of transport surrounded him, he would never see that worried look on her face again.

CHAPTER18

Zane, Thorne, Mac, and Zelda ended up inside an empty office. Zane looked around, confused. “Where are we?”

“Where we need to be,” Zelda said, looking at her nails. “Patience is a virtue, Shifter.” Zelda waved her finger, and the office was instantly furnished. Zelda walked over to the large oak desk and sat down, looking regal.

“She is brutal when at work,” Mac stated with a proud smile.

Just then, a door opened, and in walked a tall man with clean-cut black hair. His blue eyes were stark against his fake tan. He was athletically built. Both Thorne and Zane growled at the sight of the man.

“Calm down, boys. Your time will come.” Zelda said, then turned her attention to the man who looked extremely uncomfortable and a little terrified. “Mr. Jacob Livingston?”

“Yes.” He said after clearing his throat, his eyes looking Zelda over, and his face clearly expressed he liked what he saw. “I’m sorry, but what is going on?” He looked at the three angry men standing protectively around Zelda.

“The ad you answered was false, Mr. Livingston. We will not be going out to dinner or anything else for that matter.” Zelda remarked with a cocked eyebrow. Then she put a hand on Mac’s arm when he took a threatening step toward him. “You are a married man, which you didn’t express in our messages. And for a married man, you seem to be on the single’s ads quite a bit, looking for your next victim since it was just last night that I posted.”

“I’m currently separated.” He muttered, his face red as he glared at her. “Not that it’s any of your business.”

“I do think your sweet wife would disagree.” Zelda frowned with a tsking sound. Just then, there was a knock on the door. “Mac, could you please get that for me?”

Mac walked toward the door, passing the man with an angry glare and trembling growl. Zane grinned at the fear he saw on the man’s face but was ready to stop Mac from killing the son of a bitch because that would be his job.

A pretty older woman walked inside, smiling up at Mac, and then her eyes fell on Jacob Livingston. Her smile faded as she looked at him with disdain.

“Beverly?” Jacob frowned, looking from her to Zelda. “What have you done?”

“Oh, I can’t take credit for the mess your life is about to be. That honor belongs to you.” Zelda smiled, standing to greet the older woman. “Thank you for coming, Beverly. It’s finally nice to meet you.”

The woman nodded at Zelda and then looked at the men before sitting down in the seat Zelda offered. “To say I was surprised by your call would be a lie. I have suspected things, and after talking to you, I knew I wasn’t crazy.”

“Beverly! What in the fuck are you doing?” Jacob took only two steps toward his future ex-wife but was stopped when Zane cut him off with a hard push.