Chapter 2

I had not been so close to him in so long. Hell, I had not been in his space period in so long, and I had forgotten. I thought I remembered everything like it was yesterday, but I was wrong. So very wrong. 

I had forgotten how he seemed to be a live electrical wire and how I wanted to feel all of that under my hands, on my body, and underneath my very skin, how he smelled, how his voice sounded.

It had all dulled in my memory from even how wonderful I remembered it to be. This was a mistake. I should have never have come here. I should have made a thousand phone calls until I got someone to listen, I should have hired someone to take a message, I should have mailed a letter. I should never have come here.

"Ava, what are you doing?"

I could tell he was studying me, but I kept my face forward. I couldn't look at him. It hurt too much.

"I was passing along some information I overheard. Can you ask your secretary to put my calls through until this is over? That way, next time, I can call. No, you know what, just give me Trent's number, and I'll pass it along to him. I'm sorry I came here, and it won't happen again."

"Why do you look like someone just shot your puppy?"

"Oh this, this is nothing." I gestured at my face, "I've just been crazy emotional lately. You know how us she-wolves get sometimes." 

"So it has nothing to do with you learning of Bethany?"

I flinched at him saying the woman's name. I couldn't help it. "No, not at all. I think it's great." My voice was weird at the end, even though I had tried like hell to keep it nice and even.

He nodded his head, took a noisy breath, and leaned into the door, so he was facing me. " Ava darlin, maybe I should tell you that my club has cameras everywhere and that my security team, such as Trent, have earpieces and mics on them, and I can access those mics if, say, I see my ex walk into my club."

"Yes, I see that you're catching on now. I heard the entire exchange. What I want to know is why you look like the world just ended when it was you that left me, and you had to have known that this would happen sooner or later. So, Ava, why do you care that I have a woman? Better yet, why are you here to warn me about whatever Sabin is up to when you left me for him? Start talking, and don't hand me any more bullshit."

I shook my head. "It doesn't matter anymore. I just want you safe, is all. The rest doesn't matter anymore."

"Did Sabin do something to you?"

"No, what would he do to me? Don't be ridiculous. I just need to get home. I'm exhausted. Really, Declan, your brother is good to me. I just disagree with his stupid, insane hatred of you. Can you drop me off now?" 

"I don't think I will. No, we need to get rid of some confusion first."

"Nothing is confusing about it. Take me home!" I almost screamed. 

I was starting to panic. I wanted out of that damn car, and I wanted out now. I had to get away from him, so I could cry and cry, maybe to never stop.

I looked out the window and saw we were deep in Declan's pack territory. "Declan, Sabin can't find out that I came to you. I was trying to help you, and he won't be happy about that. As in, he really won't be happy."

"You just said Sabin would never hurt you."

"I know what I said but this, me helping you... please take me home."

"Relax, beautiful; no one is going to see you. We'll have a nice chat, a few drinks, and then I'll take you home."

His house was surrounded by woods, but the car drove into a garage around the back, and the ignition shut off as the garage doors closed behind us. Declan jumped out and grabbed my hand, pulling me out of his side with him. He tapped the roof three times and then led me through a door after punching in a code. I could hear the garage door opening back up as we stepped inside the house. Declan unarmed and rearmed the security system after he locked the door.

"Why did the driver leave?"

Declan shook his head, "Ava, will you relax. I told you I would get you home, and I meant it."

He grabbed my hand and led me to a living room. "Take off your coat and stay awhile."

"No,  I'm not taking my coat off and staying awhile. I need to get home as I've already told you ten times." I crossed my arms over my chest. I couldn't help but look around at his gorgeous home. I wondered if Bethany was going to walk into the room at any moment. Please, Goddess no. I wouldn't survive it. 

"Take the jacket off, Ava!"

"No, Declan!"

"Off!"

"No!"

He walked over to me and had my jacket pulled off in a nanosecond. Then he tossed it over a couch and looked me over from head to toe. He used to do that, but back then, there was love and lust in it. Now it looked more like cold calculation. I fidgeted, trying to fix my face and hair, then realized what I was doing and quit. 

He walked out a few minutes and came back with drinks. He offered me one, and I accepted. I could definitely use some liquid courage right about now.

"Is Bethany living here?" Oh no, I did not just ask that! I could have gladly bitten my tongue off. "Nevermind, that's not my business."

"You're right; It's not. You gave up that right two years ago." He watched my face closely as he said it while his face remained blank of emotion.

I tried not to give it to him, but I never had a poker face. I could tell my eyes betrayed me and he knew it hurt me. I walked around the room.  "Your home is beautiful."

"Thank you. Bethany has been helping me decorate it."

Oh, that was low. He's trying to get a reaction from me. "Well, she's doing a great job. It's good you have someone to look after you." I was shocked I got it to come out with just a small shake in my voice. Of course, werewolf hearing would still detect it, though, so he got what he wanted. 

He was right earlier; I should have known he would eventually move on. I did know. I just couldn't let myself think about it, or I would have left my sister in that hell hole to rot. I would have chased him down and told him everything. So, not thinking about it and only remembering us as we were is what I did. Goddess, I'm such a fool. I wouldn't admit it to myself earlier, but when I decided to go to him at his club, I had hoped to see that love in his eyes still. Just a little tide me over to get me through. I'm a stupid, silly, romantic woman. But, of course, he would move on. Why would a powerful man that looked like he does wait around for some bitch that left him for his asshole brother? 

"Ava?"

"Yes?"

"What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing just happy for you is all; you do deserve to be happy."

"I don't think that's what you were thinking, darlin. It hasn't been so long that I forgot how to read your face."

"Well, since you're so good at reading it, then don't bother to ask anymore." I flounced over to a chair and took a seat.

Declan walked over to stand at my legs. He glanced at those legs, then took an angry breath in through his nose. "You know, this whole drama tonight has a stink to it."

"What are you talking about now?" I asked, confused.

"I'm talking about the fact this smells like Sabin put you up to this."

"Sabin would kill me if he knew about this. You know he would."

"Do I? Maybe this is all part of one of his agendas, and I shouldn't believe a word out of your mouth." Declan ran his fingers through his hair and turned to walk away.

This pissed me off. The nerve of the man. If he only knew what I risked by what I did tonight and by still being here. "Declan, I hope that you know me better than that. I would never help Sabin do something to hurt you!"

"Ah, Ava, you forget so fast that you already have!" he shouted.

I stood up fast and went to grab my jacket, but Dec pulled it from my hands and threw it across the room. "We aren't finished talking!" he yelled.

"Oh yes, we are!" I shouted back.

"If Sabin didn't put you up to it, then it must be that you had convinced yourself inside that pretty little head of yours that you were doing it to help me."

"That's because I was doing it to help you, you big dummy!"

"Really, Ava? ..Is that my perfume your wearing?"

" I've worn the same one for years. So what has that to do with anything?"

Declan walked up to me, so I had to lean my head back to see his face. His jaw was doing that thing it does when he's pissed the fuck off. "So you wear that for Sabin?"

"No," I whispered and turned away from him.

Declan grabbed my hand and turned me back around." and you're wearing my dress. Do you remember what happened the last time I saw you in that dress? Do you wear it for Sabin too?"

I felt the breath whoosh out of me, and my heart started beating like a bird trying to escape. But, I did remember, and he was right. That was why I chose it. We were saving the main shebang for our mating, but that didn't mean we didn't do other things.

"This is the first time I've worn it since that day," I whispered, "and I did do it to help you. Whatever you think, I'm telling the truth." 

"I think you wanted to come waltzing back into my life and fuck it up again!"

I looked down at my shoes to hide that my eyes were wet again but they started falling over my cheeks.

"Can I go home now, Dec? Please!" I whispered.

Declan pulled my face up and leaned down to look me eye to eye. Our lips were just a breath apart. He looked my face over, lingering on my lips and eyes and watching the tears slide down my cheeks. He reached up and brushed my tears away but they just kept coming. "Sure, darlin, I'll send for the car." He then grabbed me by the back of the head and kissed my forehead. We stayed like that, with his lips pressed on my forehead for a long time; then, he walked away to call for the car.