CAGED (Mackenzie Grey #2) (9 page)

“As a heart attack,” I smirked. “So to what do we owe this visit?”

Amy cleared her throat. “Sorry Kenz that might be my fault. I made plans with Jackson.”

“Speaking of which,” I glared at the traitorous wolf, “you and I need to have a chat.”

Jackson scratched at the back of his head, his brown eyes looking anywhere but at me. “Mackenzie, don’t be so dramatic.”

“Dramatic? You haven’t seen nothing yet, Cadwell.”

“It’s not like I planned to bone your best friend, it just happened!” he yelled. “Sue me for thinking with the wrong head!”

I scoffed. “Of course! Blame it on your dick! Real smooth there, Casanova.”

Amy giggled. “Kenz, relax, we’ll talk about this later.”

“No way, Aims. He told me he’d look out for you. I left you behind for this specific reason, making my grand gesture moot.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t have left me then,” she said, still hurt.

“I see that now,” I mumbled. “Does he at least treat you right?” I turned to her, softening my voice.

“Yes. He’s a real…gentleman,” she laughed as they eye-fucked each other.

“Oh gross,” I rolled my eyes. “Get a room.”

Everyone laughed except Jonah—he was watching my every move. I felt it.

“You’ve changed,” he cut into the conversation. “You’re not the same as when you left.”

“Well that is the definition of change, Jonah. It’s been over a year, of course I’m not going to be the same, but I’d like to think I’m still charming,” I grinned. “Now I don’t know about you guys, but I could seriously go for some New York pizza.”

Empty pizza boxes littered the living room floor, as I laid on the couch rubbing my very full belly. Amy and Jackson retreated to her room for the night, and Jonah and I had just finished watching a rerun of
Lost
. He turned the TV off as I glanced over at the clock on the stove. It was two in the morning and I wasn’t even tired. Sleep was going to be a pain in the ass to fix. I was regretting those vampire hours now.

“Aren’t you tired?” Jonah said as he started cleaning up.

I sighed. “Nope. Sleep is gonna be a bitch. I used to work nights.”

“Ah, I see,” he said as he looked away. “Well I don’t mind keeping you company.”

“Aren’t you tired?” I inquired. “Or are you hoping I’ll spill my guts to you?”

He shook his head. “No of course not, Kenz, but I did miss you.”

That dimple peeked out and I couldn’t help the broad smile that stretched over my face. Jonah Cadwell was every girl’s Prince Charming—with a dash of over-protectiveness. And I’d be a liar if I said I hadn’t thought of him while I was gone. On the contrary, a day didn’t go by without the thought of either wolf that had tugged at my heart strings. Unlike Bash, Jonah wasn’t afraid to tell me how he felt, even if it was too intense for me.

“So what’s been new? Any special girl in your life?” I asked, my smile felt tight on my face. Did I really want to know? Probably not, but I couldn’t help but ask.

He whispered, “You know there will never be anyone else for me.”

Part of me was disappointed that he hadn’t moved on, but another part of me felt relief. I knew it was wrong and I hated feeling this conflicted, it wasn’t fair to him. “Are you planning on spending the night?” I changed the subject.

“If it’s alright with you,” he said.

I tilted my head. “Of course you can, Jonah.”

He smiled. “Thanks, I’ll grab a blanket and pillow from the closet.”

I had been on my way to my bedroom when I stilled. “This isn’t your first time sleeping over, is it?”

I could see a small blush creep up his neck as he looked away. “Uh…no.”

“And where did you sleep?” I asked, trying very hard not to laugh at his bashfulness.

He cleared his throat, still avoiding eye contact. “Your room.”

“Figured,” I nodded. “Well come on then, it’s not like we’ve never shared a bed.”

I knew I was sending him through an emotional roller coaster. It had been just a year ago that I could barely look at him—or Bash for that matter—without my ovaries going into overdrive. I had been trying to get over my ex, James, and wasn’t ready to get physical with anyone. And these wolves are the definition of physical. There were nights I dreamt about Bash and I at the library, or that heart stopping kiss Jonah gave me in the middle of the street. Both men vied for my attention and I couldn’t choose either one. But now? Things were different—I’d like to think I’ve grown up a bit.

Everything in my room was as if I’d never left. My laptop sat on my desk, waiting for me to log on and Skype my brother, Ollie—but that would have to wait.

I began to pull off my t-shirt when Jonah walked in. Although my back was to him as I rummaged through my closet, I could feel his heat enter the room. I unbuckled my jeans when he knocked on the door frame.

“Just come in,” I said over my shoulder. “I’m looking for some jammies.”

As soon as I found a pair of sweat pants and my Nirvana t-shirt, I changed without a care that Jonah might be watching. That modesty ship had sailed.

He closed the bedroom door and peeled off his flannel shirt. I could feel the familiar blush that used to creep up whenever I was around him. Bringing memories of when I first met the Pack—or more like when they had kidnapped me.

“Haven’t you ever heard of an undershirt?” I joked, repeating what I had said the first time I saw him shirtless.

“You’re a real smartass, Mackenzie Grey,” he balled up his shirt and threw it at me. I caught it before it hit my face, and I took a whiff of his scent. That woodsy smell was something I missed.

I slid on his flannel shirt and then climbed into bed. “What do you think? Real 90’s grunge?”

He chuckled. “I’m glad you haven’t lost your sense of humor.” He laid on his side, facing me.

“Do you believe I could ever be anything but sarcastic? It’s so ingrained in me, I’ll be ninety years old and still annoying the shit out of Bash,” I laughed.

Jonah barely smiled as his brown eyes drilled into me. “Mackenzie?”

“Yeah?”

“Why are you here?”

“Ya know,” I started, “I’m beginning to get the feeling you guys don’t want me around.”

He shook his head. “That’s not what I mean. I’m ecstatic you’re here, Kenz, but I also know you weren’t struggling wherever you were. So it begs the question, why the hell would you come back?”

I paused for a moment before answering. I had to be careful with what I said. The last thing I wanted to do was implicate Bash or Jonah in anything I did.

“I have some business to take care of,” I said. “And I won’t expand beyond that.”

He looked as if he wanted to argue, but my eyes narrowed, shutting the conversation down.

“Just answer one question,” he said. “Are you going to start trouble?”

I couldn’t resist the belly laugh that erupted from me. My eyes teared as I gasped for air, and I was almost positive that my cackles could be heard blocks away. When I found my voice I said, “Jonah, what kind of question is that? Of course I’m gonna start trouble.”

***

With Jonah just a few inches away, his body heat crawled over to me, making it impossible to fall asleep right away. The itch to scoot over and huddle against him was unbearable, but after a while I was finally able to fall into blissful sleep…that is until he started nudging me awake. With my head under the covers, I tightened my fists on the comforter to keep the covers from getting ripped off. This was something I was used to with Roman.

“Kenz you have to wake up. I have to bring you to the warehouse before sunrise,” Jonah mumbled as he tried to pry the sheets away from me.

“Is that why you’re here? Bash sent a babysitter?” I grumbled, my eyes glued shut.

“Well, I wouldn’t put it that way, but yeah, I’m here to make sure you get back as planned,” he said.

“But I
just
fell asleep,” I whined. “Five more minutes.”

I felt the bed dip and then realign. His footsteps didn’t go too far just as I was thrown in the air, landing face first on the floor. Jonah had tipped the mattress over, effectively getting me up. I wiped the bit of drool I had on my cheek and stood, glaring at the asshole before me.

“Seriously?”

“Kenz, you told me to give you five more minutes an hour ago! Get in the shower and let’s move. We’re late and you can sleep on the way to Little Falls.”

Sebastian, of course, was as cranky as I was—his reason different from mine. Jonah and I had been late, but in my defense I was lacking in the sleep department.

They left Jackson in charge of the Pack while we were gone, as the Alpha and the Beta escorted me to see Charles. The last time I had been in Little Falls, was the first time I shifted with other wolves. The experience was like no other—like a cleansing of some sorts. Those were the good memories, but the not so good memories? Those were my interactions with the Alpha of the Northeast region—Charles Cadwell.

The tall-iron wrought gate with concrete pillars on either side welcomed us to Cadwell Estate. The familiar three mile drive through the Estate was as beautiful as I remembered and I watched as wolves ran beside our car as bodyguards. Their glowing eyes flashed through the car window as they watched me, so I flashed mine to establish dominance. Once they couldn’t handle my glare, the wolves turned away and ran faster. I faced forward again and met cold blue orbs through the rear view mirror. Creases at the corner of his eyes told me he was laughing, but the quirk of his brow hinted that I had surprised Sebastian Steel. Another point for Team Kenzie.

Unlike the last time, Charles was already waiting for us by the front door as we drove up the massive circle shaped drive way. The signature Cadwell eyes followed us as we got out of the vehicle. In jeans and a tucked in button up, with his brown hair slicked back in waves—the only difference was the dash of grey hair that peered at the sides.

Since it wasn’t a full moon, the Estate appeared much larger than before with the silence and emptiness. The Alpha walked down the front steps and whistled at the wolves that escorted us inside the property. Some ran inside the house, and others went into the woods. But none remained besides Charles, Jonah, Sebastian, and me.

“I think this is a first. I’ve never seen a lone-wolf come out of hiding to get captured,” Charles said. “You are quite peculiar, Mackenzie
Grey.”

“Right back atcha,” I pointed my finger at him and winked.

“
Mackenzie
,” Sebastian growled as he elbowed me in the ribs.

“Ouch,” I scoffed. “Easy there, it was a compliment.”

“Behave,” he whispered and turned to Charles. “My apologies for our tardiness. I was dealing with some things that took up more time than anticipated,” Bash took the blame.

“No worries, I expected it,” Charles glowered at me and then shifted to his son. “You look well, Jonah. I presume Miss. Grey’s arrival has brightened up your mood?”

What the hell was the old man talking about?

“I’m well, Father,” Jonah said, looking embarrassed. “The office?”

“Yes, you know the way,” his father answered and we followed him inside. I kept my head down as we walked in, only glancing at the foyer with the double winding staircase. This place was so damn fancy, I was scared to breathe or I might knock over some priceless vase with my lungs. And Charles already looked ticked as it was, I didn’t need to piss him off further.

We entered his office and it smelled just as I remembered—wood, rain, and cigars. It seemed like things never changed with these wolves—which was downright depressing. They were going to get a rude awakening with me.

We sat in a sitting area by the liquor cart as Charles poured himself a drink. He offered but we all refused.

“Mackenzie,” he started. “What brings you back to New York? I’m sure it wasn’t the weather. You look tanned.”

I smirked. “What did me in was the pizza. How anyone can ever survived without New York pizza is blasphemous, don’t you think?”

Those brown eyes hardened. “Of course. Such a tragedy,” he said.

I waved him off. “But let’s skip all the passive aggressiveness, shall we? Let’s get to what you really want to know.”

“Direct, just like your—never mind,” he smiled. “Please tell us where you have been this past year.”

I sat between Sebastian and Jonah and I could feel the stiffness of their bodies. They weren’t fond of the banter between Charles and I, but I didn’t care. Something had been nagging me since I returned and this was the perfect time to test my theory. Lone-wolves were killed on the spot, no questions asked, for example: Emma’s father. But I’ve been prancing around for the last thirty six hours, walked right into a wolves’ den, and the worst I probably have are clogged ears from the flight back East. Why was I getting special treatment? From someone who had the power to order my death in a split second.

“That’s where we might hit a snag,” I said. “I can’t tell you where I’ve been, but I can tell you what I’ve done,” I grinned. There was no way I was going to spill the beans on Lucian. I wouldn’t put it past them if they killed him just for aiding and abetting. And that would lead to Roman, and I didn’t want him involved—hence all the unanswered voicemails and text messages I’ve been avoiding.

“Pray tell, what have you done?” he chuckled as if I amused him.

I stood from my seat and paced in front of them, ticking off everything I’ve done on my fingers. “First, I went on a Vision Quest,” that got a gasp from them, “and boy was that one hell of a trip. Like being on acid or some shit, not that I would know,” I laughed. “Then I got to chill and enjoy my quasi freedom. You know typical shit like sippin’ mojitos pool side, sleeping in, and binging on all episodes of
The Gilmore Girls
. Have you seen it? Seriously, give it a shot.”

“Mackenzie,” Sebastian warned but I didn’t look at him, I didn’t want to lose my nerve.

“I digress, and then I had an interesting chat with my wolf. Man, she’s awesome. We’re so in tuned with one another, I’m no longer moon-bound. Oh, and I also got to meet some cool supernatural peeps. Like Nymphs, Warlocks, Imps, Ogres, and even a ton of Sucubi—which brings me to my last thing. Emma.”

“That
was
your scent we caught on her?” Charles asked.

“Her scent?” Jonah interrupted but his father ignored him. The boys didn’t know that Charles had gotten a lead on me. Interesting.

“Bingo, daddy-o,” I joked, “and I want to know where she is.”

My stare met Charles head on as he tapped a hand on his chin, contemplating everything I said.