The Alpha And Her Tinkerer

4_Can I Stay?

Reeva POV

For the first time since I regained consciousness, I felt something other than confusion and pain. Anger, rage and excitement. A plan. Those are the things running through me. Reese and Simon took everything from me, and I am going to return a favour. And this gorgeous goof is hopefully going to help me.

“Can you do it?” I ask again when Hayden still stares at my sketch.

“Well, yeah,” he shrugs, looking up. “But why do you need a weapon?”

“Do you ask all your clients that?” I counter, raising my eyebrows. I am afraid he might refuse if I tell him the truth.

“Actually, yes,” he chuckles sheepishly. “Take Mr Smith’s lamp, for instance. I would’ve never known that it’s an heirloom if I didn’t ask. It makes it more meaningful when I know why I’m doing it. But you don’t have to tell me. I just like knowing.”

I look at him thoughtfully, realising that he takes pride in his work, even in something as minuscule as fixing an old lamp. That says a lot about his character. Even though he no longer has a wolf, he kept his pride, and I am impressed. But will a man of his calibre support my need for revenge?

“Hayden, I have nowhere to go,” I admit softly, looking into his beautiful and sincere eyes. “I’ve lost everything and everyone. I’m alone in this world. Will you help me?”

“Yeah … uhm, with what?” He clears his throat and looks away.

“Can I stay here, please?” I ask softly. “Only for a little while. Until I’m back on my feet.”

“Here?” He asks, frowning. “I only have one bed and one bedroom.”

“I’ll sleep on the coach,” I reply.

“I mean, I’ll sleep on the floor,” I quickly correct myself when I realise I have not seen a couch anywhere. “I’ll cook and clean and do … whatever needs to be done. I’ll stay out of your way, and …”

“You can stay,” he cuts me off, and I smile, relieved.

“You are a good, kind man,” I say softly, and his eyes widen when I gently lay my hand against his cheek.

“Thank you,” I smile, kissing him softly.

“Uhm, yeah, sure, uhm, okay,” he stutters, taking a step back and pushing his fingers through his hair.

I smile softly, finding it mildly amusing that he is so flustered after an innocent thank-you kiss.

“I’ll … uhm, I’ll start working on this,” he says, holding up my sketch and avoiding eye contact.

Hayden POV

My heart is beating like a racehorse, and I want to kick myself for stuttering like a hormonal teenager. Goddess, she probably thinks I am the world’s biggest loser and never had a girlfriend before.

But when she looks at me like that, as if she sees me, as if I am someone important, my brain malfunctions. And then she had to go and touch and kiss me. How am I supposed to keep my composure when every fibre of my being wants to be near her?

I keep myself busy with my computer, doing my very best to remain calm and collected. I bet she knows the effect she has on men, that she is totally irresistible, and that she is used to it.

I am acutely aware of her when she quietly walks to the kitchen, grabs a dining chair and pulls it next to me. Dear Goddess, must she sit so close? I can feel her, smell her, and it messes with my mind.

I hear Pudding’s footsteps and shifts, making space for her to lie on my lap like she always does when I work. Instead, she jumps onto Reeva’s lap, and she holds her tightly, stroking her fur. Even my f*****g dog is mesmerised by her. Traitor!

A vehicle approaches, and I look at my watch. Mr Smith is early. Very early. I told him I would only be finished tonight. But when I look up and out of the window, my heart sinks when I recognise the truck.

“Wait here,” I grunt, standing up.

My heart and feet are filled with lead as I walk outside and wait for my brothers to get out of the truck. They hate me and make my life a living hell every time I see them. And I know, today will not be any different.

But instead of my brothers, four of their men get out and walk over to me.

“Hayden,” one smirks, his eyes glide over me as he devilishly smiles. My brothers are terribly, but this schmuck, Brian, is the worst. “So nice to see you.”

“How can I help you?” I ask politely. I would much rather tell them to f**k off, but I would prefer not to have my ass handed to me in front of Reeva.

“Gavin sent us to collect your rent,” Brian snickers. “Any way we can.”

“Also, he’s short on supplies,” another one, Miles, adds. “Any donations would be welcome.”

“Is that so?” I sneer, knowing perfectly well they are lying. I do not pay rent, and my brothers need nothing. In fact, I bet my brothers do not even know they are here. Not that it would matter. My brother never takes my side.

“I’m sorry, gentlemen,” I say politely. “I won’t be of any assistance today.”

“Would you like me to tell that to Gavin?” Brian sneers, grabbing me painfully by the neck and jerking me closer.

“f**k off,” I lose my temper, pushing him away.

“Will you look at that,” Miles laughs hard and ugly. “Little Mister Tinker Man has grown a set of balls.”

Dammit, I sigh inwardly when I look into his evil eyes. They are going to beat the s**t out of me … again.

“Go home,” I say, trying to remain calm even though I would much rather disappear into the woods. “I don’t have anything for you today.”

“We’ll decide that ourselves,” Brian snickers. “Come on, boys, let’s see what he’s hiding inside.”

Panic pushes like sour bile in my throat. f**k knows what they will do to Reeva if they see her. I must protect her from them, even if it means that I will be unable to eat solid foods for a month.

“Stay the f**k out of my house!” I shout, placing myself between them and the front door. “This is private property, and you’re trespassing. You have no authority here.”

They look at each other, then at me and burst out laughing.

“s**t, man, when did you become a comedian?” Miles looks me up and down. “It’s equally annoying and entertaining.”

“Are you deaf?” Reeva’s voice is icy, and I turn around in surprise. I did not hear her come out. “He told you to leave.”

“Well, look at that,” Brian chuckles. “Mister Tinker Man got himself a girlfriend. How cute.”

“What’s your name, sweetheart?” Miles asks, touching Reeva’s hair, and fear clenches my heart.

“Leave her out of this,” I snap, pushing between them, but the next moment, I am flat on the ground.

Flabbergasted, I shake my head. I am not hurting, which means I was not punched, but how the hell did I end up in the dirt?

Miles calls out in pain, and I look up. My jaw hits the ground when I see Reeva twisting Miles’ arm behind his back, pushing it upwards and forcing him to his knees.

“Let’s try this one more time,” she hisses, her green eyes blazing. “Either you leave, or I make you.”