Free Fast Bear: BBW Shapeshifter BWWM Werebear Paranormal Romance (Wild Alpha Shifters Book 2) by Zola Bird Page B

and that they were in town because they were looking for you.”
    “If I’d said that, you never would have spoken to me again.”
    “I’m never speaking to you again now.”
    “I know, but…”
    Bailey interrupted him. “I trusted a liar once. I trusted Max and it was a terrible mistake. I’ll never a trust a liar again and nothing you can say will change that. Please, drive me home.”
    Jeremy did as she asked. He drove Bailey home. He told her he’d pull her car out of the service department in the morning for her, but she had just mumbled, “All right.”
    “No worries,” Jeremy had replied. He felt terrible leaving her alone at her apartment after what had happened, but what could he do? He waited in the car and made sure she got into her apartment safely. Then he drove away. His bear had taken care of the Petronis, so he knew she was in no immediate danger, but still it pained him that everything had ended like this.
    After all, she was the one for him. His mate. He wanted to keep her safe. He wanted to protect her by never leaving her side. Yes. He had lied. He had told Bailey he didn’t know the Petronis personally. But it was a white lie to protect her. He didn’t want her getting in any deeper than she had to.
    Face it, Jeremy. That’s bullshit.
    You didn’t tell her because you were ashamed. You were ashamed of how you’ve conducted your life. Of what you’ve done. Man up for a change.
    Jeremy drove aimlessly. He didn’t know what he was going to do. All he knew was that the woman he loved, the woman he wanted to claim for his mate, never wanted to see him again. Ever. Just the thought of it cut to the quick. He had met his partner. There could be no other, and now he was alone, hopelessly alone forever. All because of a couple of cowardly lies. He pulled the old Porsche over on the deserted road and stared up at the moon. Then he shifted into his bear and roared. His bear felt a sharp pain all the way down to his soul, and he roared like he had never roared before.

    ************************

    Bailey paced back and forth through her small apartment. From the kitchen to the patio door and back again. Her mind raced. The Petronis were gone. That was good. But what had happened with Jeremy was bad. It was not what she wanted. Yes, he had lied to her. And she abhorred liars. She had abhorred liars ever since Max had lied about his criminal career. She had vowed never to be involved with that sort of man again. But was it different this time? Was Jeremy different?
    Don’t be stupid, Bailey. Of course he’s not different. He could have told you that he had worked for them and that would have been that.
    Sure, she wouldn’t have been pleased, but at least it would have been honest. Of course, she would never have spoken to him again. Just like now. Or was she being foolish? Stupidly stubborn? Bailey paced back to the door. And then, there was a knock. Her heart stirred. Was it Jeremy? Had he come back despite her pig-headedness? There was another knock.
    “Bailey? Are you home? It’s me, Jada.”
    Jada? Bailey opened up. Her friend stood there with Brandon.
    “Jeremy told us you were going to be at the guesthouse. But when we got home, we saw the blood.”
    Bailey nodded meekly, then she just couldn’t contain herself anymore. She didn’t know what had come over her, but she began to cry. The sobs just came wailing out, more and more of them. Jada took her in her arms.
    “Bailey, honey. What happened?”
    “I, I…”
    “Ssh… you can tell me later. Just let it out.”
    Bailey cried and cried while Brandon stood stoically in the hall. She didn’t know where it was all coming from. All her pain. But she suspected it might have been coming from being hurt before, from the last time a man had lied to her. Yes, Jeremy had lied to her, but he didn’t deserve her wrath, at least not all of it. That was for the Petronis. And Max. And they were gone. Bailey tried to get a handle on her sobs. Then