Page 91 of Red Marked

“You really believe that, don’t you?”

He nods. “Absolutely.”

“I feel sorry for you, and even more sorry for the female you decide to mate one day.”

“I’m not going down that path. I don’t want kids either.”

“Really?” My brows shoot up.

“Yes, really. Why is that so shocking? I think it’s easy to mess a kid up. I don’t want that kind of responsibility.”

“The fact that you care so much means you’ll probably be a great dad.”

“Nope…it’s not for me.” He glances my way. “Let me know when you’re ready to stalk your ex. Although, is he your ex if you didn’t break up?”

“I’m sure he’s moved on by now,” I say.

“Didn’t you check? I thought it would have been one of the first things you did.”

“Jett doesn’t have much of a social media presence. I couldn’t find any notices to say that he had mated, but⁠—”

“So you did check?”

“I did.” I probably didn’t try hard enough to find answers.

There’s a part of me that’s afraid he’s moved on. That he has a mate and maybe even children. There’s a bigger part of me that’s afraid he hasn’t.

I’m afraid he’s exactly where I left him, and that he’s waited, and that I’ll take one look at him and not feel what I’m supposed to feel.

What is wrong with me?

Jett is supposed to be the love of my life.

30

Star

The second Tank lives on the other side of town from the first one.

He lives in a regular, single-story house at the end of a cul-de-sac, with a patch of yellowing lawn and a sedan parked in the driveway with a dent in the rear door.

“Someone’s home,” Flint says.

A light glows behind the blinds in the front window.

“Ready?” He looks at me.

I nod.

“I could go in myself if you’re not up for it.”

“I’m fine.” I open my door before he can ask me anything else.

The sun is low. A couple of shifters fly over us, casting long shadows. I watch them for a few moments.

We walk up to the front door, and Flint knocks.

It takes a while, then there are footsteps, and the door is opened.