“I didn’t really date in high school.” Her gut clenched as her childhood memories rose up. “My parents were more concerned about me keeping my grades up and getting into LSU.” She tried to recall anyone asking her out but couldn’t come up with anyone.
“Maybe it was someone who had a crush on you that you never noticed. Stalkers are usually the last person you expect.” Jayden reached for her hand. His thumb made tiny circles in her palm.
She got shivers of a different kind this time.
Only Jayden could make her forget her worries with just one touch.
She grinned.
“What?” A slow smile played at the corners of his lips.
She stepped into his embrace and ran her hands up his muscled arms to his strong shoulders. “I was just thinking that even with all this drama going on I still want to jump you right here.”His eyebrows shot up. “Really?” He tightened his grip on her shoulders. “Out here on the deck?”
She looked behind her and then back at him. “Up against the wall in that dark corner, just in case someone walks out here.”
“I like the sound of that.” Jayden leaned in and growled.
“And then maybe—” Haley froze and cocked her head.
“What is it?” Jayden looked around for some hidden danger.
“That was weird. I thought I heard my mother’s voice.” She looked at Jayden. “But that can’t be. Barrett said it would be at least tomorrow before they arrived in Fayetteville. We were going to meet in town since they didn’t know the address of the house.”
“Let’s go see.” Jayden headed inside with her following closely behind.
Jayden came to a stop, forcing Haley to run into his back just as they came around the kitchen.
“I demand to see my daughter.” The familiar voice of her mother echoed through the kitchen.
Haley peeked around Jayden’s back. Her parents were in the kitchen dressed like they were going to the ballet and addressing the Arkansas Pack Master. Braxton and Damon stood on either side of Barrett in a defensive posture. Her parents’ backs were to her.
Jayden reached behind her holding her still.
“You are in my territory now, lady. And I strongly suggest you get your finger out of my face.” Barrett’s voice was even but the undercurrents of rage were audible.
“Do you know who we are?” Her father, John Stanley Guthrie III, puffed out his chest and moved closer to Barrett.
Barrett glared down at her father and Haley was astonished at the difference in height. She knew Barrett was tall, but she didn’t realize just how tall until now.
“I know who you are. Let’s be clear, that shit doesn’t mean anything here. Here, I am Pack Master of Arkansas. Here, I am the Law. Here, you are nothing,” Barrett growled.
Haley gasped. She doubted anyone had ever spoken to her parents like that.
Everyone turned. For the first time, her parents noticed her standing there.
Their eyes widened and she expected them to run forward and pull her into their arms. She expected them to tell her they were sorry and that they missed her.
“What have you done, Haley?” Her mother turned to face her with a look of utter distain.Haley jumped back, as if she’d been slapped.
“Is it not enough that you ruin yourself with that red wolf? But to publically disgrace our family name by advertising yourself as a whore on Facebook in order to retaliate against us?” Her father’s face reddened and his narrowed eyes made her feel like she was looking at a stranger.
The room got silent. Granny and Ava were standing by the refrigerator with their mouths hanging open. While Barrett and his Guardians were snarling, their teeth bared.
And then there was Jayden. A slow torturous growl emerged from deep in his throat. Her father and mother both jumped back, their eyes wide with either fear or the fact that someone actually growled at them.
“You are both the most pathetic excuses I’ve ever seen for parents.” Jayden pointed at them.
Her parents’ mouths dropped open. Haley held her breath.
“Your daughter was kidnapped yet you blamed her. And when she is brought back to you, safe and unharmed you’re devastated because people will assume she’s been raped and ruined by your definition.” Jayden took a step closer.
“And now when a stalker hacks her Facebook account and spreads vile lies about her, you still blame her. You are both pathetic and if you ever dare say another harmful word to her or about her or look at her wrong, so help me God, I’ll end both of you and no one will ever know what happened to you.”Her father turned to Barrett with a smirk. “Your Guardian just threatened me. I insist on immediate discipline and for him to be removed from his position.”
“You’re going have to file a formal complaint,” Barrett growled. “But before I can render my verdict, I’ll take into consideration how you ignored my direct orders about going to Little Rock and filling out paperwork to request a meeting with Haley. I’ll also remember how you defied my orders of meeting tomorrow in town. After that, I will be sure to wipe my ass with your fucking complaint.”
Ava snorted and clasped her hand over her mouth.