Chapter 2
Louis was headed upstairs, looking for Aimee so he could check in before he called it a night. Breaking up fights and dealing with drunken idiots all week would leave even the toughest Were feeling drained. Not that he would ever show it. He would never let himself look weak in front of anyone. Show any sign of weakness and the predators pounced.
That’s what landed him here in the first place, putting trust in the wrong people. He would never do that again. The only reason he had decided to come her was because Savitar had all but ordered it. So he had come to Sanctuary looking for a place to stay and they had accepted him amiably into their home. He would be forever grateful to them for taking him in. So, when they asked that he pull his own weight around Sanctuary, he had said yes without hesitation.
He doubled as security and sometimes bartender even though he rarely ever had to do that. Tonight had kicked his ass as much as all the others. He kept telling himself he would warm up to it but so far, there had been no relief. He didn’t mind the music or the atmosphere, he just wasn’t a social creature by any means. As long as people left him alone, he was okay. But if you got under his skin he turned lethal. So he threw people out when told to, then kept to himself.
Which was where he was heading to now.
Louis pulled up short as he saw the Peltiers looming over a table looking somber. Acting on impulse he drew near. He usually let the bears handle their own affairs without interfering. This was completely out of character for him. It was then he saw the source of their agitation. He sucked in a breath sharply at the sight of her. Leaning back with a anxious demeanor, she had her arms crossed over a subtle rack. Her dark skin enticed him in ways that made him want to take her right then and there and when her lavender eyes flicked to his, his heart stopped.
He cleared his throat and looked away from her. He didn’t know what the hell had just come over him or why she was affecting him like this. He was sure it was a trivial slip-up. But that wasn’t important. He felt that something wasn’t right with this situation.
What’s up? He mind-popped, a jargon term for telepathic contact, Remi who was one of four identical quads.
Got an "unknown". Looking for a place to stay she says. Aimee doesn’t trust her. Says she’d be a good ally to have or somethin. But we all know she’s running from something. Everyone is. She won’t say. We don’t know what to make of her. He sent back looking sternly at the girl.
She looked harmless enough but he, of all people, knew not to underestimate anyone. “Well, we would take you in but,” Aimee said spreading her hands in gesture that suggested her hands were tied, “we don’t have any more room here.”
Louis frowned. He wasn’t the only one. He’d never seen Aimee turn anyone down and he was sure her brothers hadn’t either. What are you talking about? We have plenty of room here. He sent her.
I know but I don’t trust her. I don’t think we should risk bring more danger down on our heads. We just got our limani license back, she answered.
Which should mean we can afford to take her in, no matter who is after her. If they fuck with her here, they’ll just bring the wrath of Savitar down on themselves, he countered.
Yes, so the question is are we willing to chance that? You might be, but I’m not Lou, Aimee returned.
Out loud he said, “I’ll share my room with her. I mean, if that’s okay with her,” he added feeling irrationally awkward. What was with him? She was just a woman…a woman who hadn’t taken her eyes off him since he walked in the room.
