Wyatt nodded. “We’ve got to finesse this one. We can’ be the bull in the china shop. They’ve been through enough. On top of that, I feel extremely protective toward the children. They’re my children and they’ve never been out of a damn lab.”
He sighed, shaking his head. “I feel possessive toward Pepper. More than that. Far more. I connected us when I went to heal her and I’ve been in her head. There’s no conspiracy she’s a part of. Whatever I feel for her is growin’ stronger every day and I can be… dangerous. I can feel what she’s feelin’ and that doesn’t make things any easier. If she’s upset, I have to take care of that. She’s my woman and under my protection.”
“And you’re certain, Wyatt?” Trap asked quietly.
Wyatt nodded slowly. “She’s addicting in ways I can’t even begin to tell you, but she’s tied to me. Her loyalty is to me. I made damned sure of that.”
Draden whistled. “Malichai and Ezekiel know?”
Wyatt nodded. “I’m in a mess here. It’s a volatile situation anyway you look at it. You know I’m not exactly the easiest man to get along with.”
Trap’s eyebrow shot up. “Are you referring to your foul temper?”
Wyatt managed a slight grin. “I’ve always had to work on my temper, but I’ve never been a jealous or possessive man. Not once in any relationship I’ve ever had. Not as a kid and not when I believed I was truly in love. But I have to tell you, this is different. Not easy. And it’s me, not her.”
He knew he was trying to articulate something he didn’t understand or trust – and he was attempting to warn them he could be dangerous around Pepper. He reached for her, a little ashamed that he hadn’t protected her from Draden and Trap. She hadn’t deliberately enticed them, but they’d still felt her pull.
Are you okay? Did they hurt you? I know there’s nothin’ to what they’re sayin’. They’re only tryin’ to protect me, sugar. You’re very potent.
I wasn’t trying to, Wyatt. Honest.
He knew the difference between her keeping her shield up and letting it down. I know that, Pepper.
The thing is, Wyatt, I don’t care whether they like me or not. I don’t even care if they trust me. I care if you do. You matter to me. When you met me, you were just like them, suspicious. I didn’t blame you. Ezekiel and Malichai were as well. I didn’t blame them either. Trap and Draden come in here and they meet me and I’m… well… me. Of course they want to protect you. They wouldn’t be your friends if they didn’t.
He couldn’t argue with that. She had a point. He also didn’t mind so much that his opinion was the only one that mattered to her.
Trap shrugged. “Why are you surprised that you would be dangerous around a woman you care for? She’s under your skin, under your protection. You’re enhanced, Wyatt. You have physical changes, of course you’re going to have emotional changes as well. Along with all the good things there’s always a balance of bad.”
Wyatt wasn’t going to admit that the intensity of his emotions – especially jealousy when he was around Pepper – could be off the charts. That was his problem, not hers, and he didn’t want Trap or Draden blaming her for his own weaknesses.
He glanced at Trap’s face. The man was sheer stone. He always had been. He ignored all social cues. He just didn’t care about fitting in or making friends. Even in college, he’d ignored everyone. As far as Wyatt knew, there were only the team members who accepted Trap’s brutally honest personality. He couldn’t imagine a woman putting up with him for very long.
He was also the most dangerous man Wyatt knew, and all members of the team were hell on wheels. Trap was just… lethal. He didn’t hesitate to go into an encampment of the enemy utterly alone, move like a ghost through the guards and take out the primary target.
There was no doubt that he was brilliant and everything he touched seemed to turn to gold – although Trap could care less about money. He didn’t have any family, and Wyatt felt a little sorry for him at times. Trap wouldn’t understand that. He didn’t long for things he didn’t have. He had a strict code he lived by. He knew he wasn’t good at any kind of relationship, and when he’d joined their team, he’d been brutally honest about himself to the team members. They’d all liked him better for it.
Wyatt had found that if Trap gave out a piece of information, it was always correct. Always. One didn’t question Trap’s abilities or knowledge, because he was a walking library of facts, which made him an unbelievable asset both on and off the battlefield. It was easy enough, once you accepted his personality, to like him.
Wyatt shrugged. Trap was right. He should have realized that when his DNA had changed, so had his emotions.
“Let’s go eat before Nonny disowns me. And Trap, Nonny’s important to me. Very important. Her protection and happiness. I know it’s hard for you to bother with the little niceties, but I would greatly appreciate you tryin’.”