An Unwanted Second Chance (JB Tirado) novel Chapter 33

+ Pants >

Kent wasn’t sure when Riley had fallen asleep. He had been packing, trying to ignore the sense of unease that was running through him when he noticed her slumped slightly to the side. He watched her for a moment, the steady rise and fall of her chest, the way her lips puffed slightly when she breathed out.

After a moment he crossed the room, carefully scooping her legs up and moving her so she was laying down comfortably. He grabbed a spare blanket from the closet and draped it over her. He was watching her sleep when he heard the knock at the door.

He crossed the room in a few strides, pulling it open to see Patrick and Max on the other side.

“Just saw Leo downstairs,” Max said, pushing into the room. “I told him to take the Lexus for the drive.”

Kent grabbed Max’s shoulder, halting his progress into the room and motioning towards where Riley was sleeping on the couch.

“In the hallway, please,” he whispered. Max and Patrick both stared at Riley for a moment before walking out. Kent left the door cracked open so he could hear if she woke up.

“Is she ok?” Max asked, his forehead creasing.

“I don’t know,” Kent answered, leaning against the wall. “She fell asleep right after she came in here. She’s

just been so sick. I’m worried about her.”

“I didn’t know she was that sick,” Max said. “She said something about not feeling well this morning, but I

didn’t realize it was that bad.”

“I don’t want to leave her like this.” Kent glanced back towards the door.

“I know,” Patrick said softly, “but we also need this alliance. If the scouting reports are right, the threat is only

growing. We need those warriors.”

“Yeah,” Max agreed, “we really need to get this situation under control.”

“Speaking of that,” Kent murmured, “she figured out that we know what the rogues are after.”

“s**t,” Max hissed. “How did she figure that out?”

“She can tell when I lie.” Kent ran his hand through his hair again. “Leo asked if I knew what the rogues were after and I said no. She knew immediately that I was lying.”

“I knew it,” Patrick groaned. “I could see it in her face. I was honestly surprised she didn’t call you out right

then.”

“Me too,” Kent admitted. “I thought for a moment I got away with it, but she brought it up later.”

“What did you tell her?” Max asked,

“Just that I need to talk to the other people involved before I disclose anything. She wasn’t happy with that answer, but she agreed to wait until I come back. I can’t put her off forever though. We’re going to have to tell

her,”

“She works for the council, Kent.” Max’s voice shot up. “She’ll report us. Mate or not, she’ll still do her f*****g job, Do you know what this could do to me and Penny?”

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“It’s not about just you, Max,” Patrick snapped back. “This affects all of us.”

“It affects Penny and I way more than it affects either of you,” Max replied, nearly yelling.

+8 Points >

“Shhh,” Kent hushed him. “You’ll wake her up.” He glanced at the door before looking back. “Just talk to Penny while I’m gone. We can discuss everything when I get back. Right now the most important thing to me is that the two of you keep an eye on Riley. If she gets worse, take her to the hospital and call me right away.”

“Of course,” Patrick said quietly. “You need to focus on the alliance right now. One problem at a time, ok? We need those warriors.”

“Just please…” Kent swallowed, the unease from earlier flowing through him again. “If anything happens to her, I don’t…” He closed his eyes for a moment.

“Hey,” Max said gently, grabbing Kent’s shoulder, “we’ll look out for her. She’s going to be our luna soon enough anyway, right?”

“I hope so.” Kent sighed. “I’ll call you guys when we get to New Dawn, ok?”

**

Riley hurried back towards the couch when she realized that Max and Patrick were leaving. Her hands were shaking as she slid them under her legs, watching the door open all the way, Kent illuminated in the light of the hallway.

“Hey,” he said softly, smiling when he saw her. “You’re awake.”

She nodded, not trusting herself to talk, still trying to process what she had just overheard.

“I have to leave in a few minutes,” he said, walking over to his bed and zipping up the suitcase.

Riley watched him, trying to figure out what the ranked members were hiding. What could possibly affect Max and Penny more than anyone else? Max had not struck her as someone with something to hide.

Suddenly Kent sat down next to her, causing her to start slightly. He furrowed his brow as he took her hand.

“Are you ok?”

“Yes,” she finally managed to say.

“I was talking and I think you were somewhere else.” He ran his fingers over the back of her hand, sparks and tingles running up her arm.

She shook her head slightly. “Sorry, I was just trying to figure something out. I’m still a little groggy.”

“Will you be ok?” She could hear the worry in his voice.

She forced a small smile. “I’ll be fine.”

“I don’t have to go,” he whispered, his blue eyes almost pleading.

“Don’t be ridiculous. You know you need to go. You need this alliance.”

He frowned. “I know. But please go see Lana if you’re feeling worse.”

“I will,” she promised, ignoring the urge to roll her eyes.

He leaned forward and kissed her forehead softly. She closed her eyes, leaning into him slightly.

“Walk with me to the elevator,” he whispered against her skin.

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<Chapter 33

+0 Points

She nodded and they stood up. He grabbed his suitcase off the bed and she followed him out into the hallway. He punched the call button before turning to look at her, his face pinched.

“I just have a bad feeling,” he said quickly, wincing slightly as he did. “Like something is going to happen.

when I’m not here.”

“Everything will be ok,” she assured him. “The warriors are ready for an attack.”

He shook his head. “Not an attack.” He looked up at the ceiling for a moment before looking back. “It’s you. I’m worried something is going to happen to you.”

She could feel it, his unease as it pulsed through the mate bond. She bit her lip, studying his sea blue eyes

for a moment.

“I promise I’ll go see Lana, Kent,” she whispered.

He reached out and pulled her into a tight hug. She rested her head on his chest, enjoying the tingles as he

ran his hand down her back.

“I’ll miss you,” she whispered into his chest, surprised to realize that she really felt that way.

“I’ll miss you too,” he replied as the elevator doors opened.

She pulled back, turning to look into the empty elevator before looking back at him. He stared at her intensely, reaching out to touch her face. He leaned in to kiss her cheek, but she moved her head at the last moment, catching his lips with hers. He grabbed the back of her neck, pulling her closer to him and deepening the kiss. She heard the elevator doors close as she wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing

herself against him.

He ended the kiss, resting his forehead against hers, his eyes closed. She felt breathless, running her fingers

through his hair.

“You’re making it hard to go,” he whispered.

“I know. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize.” He caught her mouth in another blazing kiss, pushing his tongue against her lips. She

moaned softly when his tongue met hers, wrapping her fingers into the short hair at the back of his head.

Finally he pulled back, gently pushing her away.

“I have to go,” he said, his voice hoarse.

She nodded. “You do. I’ll stop.”

“Goddess, I wish you wouldn’t,” he whispered as he hit the call button for the elevator. He ran his hand through his hair as the doors opened again. “Goodbye, Riley.” He kissed her quickly on the forehead before grabbing his suitcase and disappearing into the elevator.

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