Free Absolution by Jambrea Jo Jones Page B

bodyguard now?”
    This is going to get ugly. Please don’t say it, Don. Don’t do it…don’t…
    He tensed, waiting for the fallout .
    “No. Peter, this is Lincoln Black. My mate.”
    Lincoln, the poor dense man, held out his hand like they were all ‘happy, happy, joy, joy’ with each other. Peter knocked it away. Lincoln was so short he made Peter look like a giant. No way was he dealing with this alone. He was the only thing between Peter and Don.
    “Russ!” He didn’t look away from Peter. “Peter, buddy, you need to calm the fuck down, right now.”
    “Ev, he can’t—why is he—?”
    “We’ll figure it out, but a fight here, it isn’t a great idea.”
    Peter moved to get around him, then took a swing. Everett was able to duck, but the fist grazed Don’s shoulder. Lincoln pulled Don back and growled. Don just looked so sad. Damn him. He was on Peter’s side in this. Don deserved what he got. Peter charged again and Everett wasn’t going to be able to stop him for much longer. He tried to get Peter’s attention, then Peter went still. Everett couldn’t explain the defeated look that crossed Peter’s face. Lincoln held Don up, but Don wasn’t fighting. He would have sat there and let Peter pummel him.
    What a fucked-up mess.
    Everett hadn’t expected Peter to fall to the ground. Don finally had some life in him and moved in. Everett shook his head. Now wasn’t the time for the brothers to be all buddy-buddy. Peter was going to need more time to comprehend what had just happened. Fuck . He wished Grey was there. He would’ve known what to do. All he wanted was get Peter out of there. Somewhere he’d feel safe. He had no idea why Peter hadn’t gone to see Kitty, but maybe, just maybe the confrontation was good for him. Or it would be. Peter never had the chance to stand up to his brother before.
    “Everett. What’s going on?”
    Finally the alpha showed up after all the action was over. Not a few minutes ago when Peter was going all mad dog on him.
    “Don here was just telling our boy Pete about his mate. His—male mate, Lincoln.” Everett waved over to where the two stood. It looked like Lincoln was holding Don back.
    “I see. And where is Grey?” Russ crouched down beside Peter who was now clinging to his knees and rocking himself back and forth.
    “He went into town.” Everett knelt down at Peter’s other side.
    “We need to get him out of here.” Russ looked at Everett.
    Everett hadn’t seen this side of Peter in a long time and he hated that it was back. He never wanted to see it again.
    “I’ll take him to Kitty’s. It’s far enough away. Send Grey over when he gets back, if you see him. And—could I get someone to pack up my shit and get it to Kitty’s? I was going to move in today. If not, no big, I can do it later. Peter is more important.”
    “I’ll get one of the guys to do it. You make sure Peter is all good.” Russ stood.
    “Please—” Don moved closer, dragging Lincoln behind him.
    “Not right now, Don. You need to let him do this in his own time. Don’t push him. Do you understand?” Russ used his alpha voice—the one that made Everett want to roll over and show his belly.
    “I understand.”
    “It might be never. You’ve got to be okay with that. Maybe, after some time he can come to you. You’ll be busy with getting the pack back in order anyway. Focus on that and your mating. We’ll deal with getting Peter to a better place.”
    Russ was still talking when Everett pulled Peter up and guided him through the door. His cousin was completely out of it. Grey needed to hurry back. Everett dug through his pocket and found his cell phone, thankful he’d brought it with him. Grey was on speed dial.
    “Hey, Ev, what’s up? Is Pete okay? I’ve had this odd feeling—”
    “That’s why I’m calling. How close are you to the house?”
    “We’re close.”
    “Good, come to Kitty’s when you get here.”
    “Pete?”
    “Just get here,