Page 215 of Wicked Savage Wolves
I lift my arm in answer. When he sees the still darkened marks, he grabs my arm and tugs it closer, taking me with it since, well, it’s sort of attached. I all but fall into his lap, but he doesn’t even notice. His eyes lock on my skin. Flexing his fingers, he touches each one before cursing under his breath.
“Shit. I thought he was just being an asshole. Shifters heal so quickly, I didn’t think …”
“Silver poisons. It burns our skin like a hot iron and sinks its claws into our bloodstream. So yeah, we heal quickly, but that doesn't mean we don’t feel pain, that injuries don’t still hurt. And for the record, I told him you didn’t mean to hurt me. That it was an accident and you must not have realized your rings were branding my skin each time you touched me.”
He hangs his head. “I know shifters have an aversion to silver. But I wasn’t thinking. Silver acts as a conductor for my magic. It lets me better focus it so it pours from my hands and not from my entire body. I wasn’t thinking when I reached out for you.”
He sucks on his teeth. “I get why you got all jumpy after that when I tugged on your hand. I,” he pauses, “it wasn’t on purpose. I mean, leaving those marks. Hurting you. I am not that guy. I’mtryingnot to be that guy.”
“Have you ever been that guy before?” I ask, needing to know if he’s safe. If he’s someone I should be careful around. I’m confident I could take him if I needed to, especially if I shifted into my between form, but I don’t like having to be on my guard twenty-four-seven.
He shakes his head, and I exhale a breath of relief. "No. My old man is, though. He likes inflicting pain on people and seeing how much they could take before sacrificing them for his magic. But I won't ever allow myself to become a monster the way he is." There is steely determination in his voice. "I'm sorry. We're getting into deep shit when we barely know each other." He chuckles, but it’s forced.
“It’s all good. And thanks. For the apology, I mean.”
He nods.
“I still want that play-by-play, though,” I remind him.
I wait. He tips back his beer, his throat working as he takes a long pull.
“Stalling will get you nowhere.”
He grunts and then shakes his head. “We had some words. It’s over now.”
“Hey, Reed?” I call out. I stand and scan the backyard, looking for Deacon’s frat brother who brought this all up in the first place.
Deacon hisses. “Meiying, drop it.”
“Yo!” Reed hollers.
“I have questions.” I nod my head and indicate for him to come over. He says a few more words to the guys he was talking to before slapping one on the back and heading our way.
“Meiying—” There’s a warning in Deacon’s voice. It’s cute. I mean if I don’t listen when Desmond gets all growly, why would I listen now?
“You’re welcome to tell me yourself,” I remind him.
He presses his lips into a firm line. Alrighty then.
As soon as Reed is close I say, “What happened with Deacon and Desmond Pierce?”
Reed whistles. “Aw, man. That was some rough shit.” He ignores the death stare Deacon is giving him and dives into his recount of Tuesday’s events. Desmond getting in Deacon’s face. Choking him. How Deacon nearly passed out after Desmond wolfed out on him.
Deacon is quiet the entire time, chin down and shoulders slumped.
“And then the other guy, what’s his name again?” He snaps his fingers before answering his own question. “Jordy! That’s what all the jocks call him. So Desmond is walking away, point made, am I right?” He wiggles his brows. “When his buddy, Jordy, starts talking in Spanish and punches Deacon while he’s still on the ground. It was fucking savage.”
Deacon groans. “Thanks for the recount, man. Appreciate it.”
Reed misses the sarcasm in Deacon’s voice.
“Jordy punched you?” I ask. Now, that surprises me the most.
Deacon sighs. “Yeah. I don’t think he or Rafael knew why Desmond was in my face. They were trying to haul him off me at first. Talk him down and shit.” His mouth tightens. “After Desmond made his point, he warned me off you and mentioned that.” He points his beer toward my arm. “Chavez blew a gasket and clocked me. Now that I see it, I can't say I really blame him. I’d be pissed too if someone hurt a girl I cared about.”
“I’m sorry. The guys can be overprotective.”
“It’s all good now. Like I said. It’s done.”
