Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 73170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
Linc blows out a long exhale and squeezes the back of his neck. “I care about you,” he says to me, emotion oozing in those warm eyes.
God, Linc.
“I know,” I whisper, chin wobbling.
“And I care about him,” he adds. “He saved my life. I’ve saved his. He’s a good fuckin’ guy, Sis. Known him a couple years now and he’s been through hell. And this? Today?” He blows out a breath and then says, “If he hurts you, he’ll be devastated. All of us would be devastated. All of us are your alphas and we all want you safe.”
“He’s her alpha now, Lincoln,” Tyson reminds him.
I chew my lip and hold back more emotion.
When Linc doesn’t say anything else, still looking torn by emotion, I add, “I need to be here. Near him.”
“He’ll be wrecked, babe. He won’t want you to see it. I wouldn’t either, if I was him.”
“Well, that’s just too bad.” I shrug, sniffling.
Riley pulls up, looking amped as he gets out of his car. His eyes sweep over me. “You okay, darlin’?”
Grabbing my hair on both sides of my head, I laugh.
Riley winces. “Wasn’t easy to keep Lorenzo from comin’. Maybe phone him? Tell him you’re fine?”
“Lie to him, you mean? Sure. Gimme your phone.”
Riley reaches out, about to put his arms around me, when Mase, Linc, and Joel all say in unison, “Don’t touch her!”
Riley pauses mid-reach and passes me his phone instead.
“Thanks for the thought, Rye.”
He gives me a look of understanding and turns to them. “Need a word with you guys real quick, yeah? About Jase.”
Riley’s expression is extreme and it’s obvious he doesn’t want me to hear whatever he has to say. Hopefully there haven’t been complications with Jase and Danica Young bringing the Starling wand to Romania, but I can’t give it too much headspace.
“I’ll go inside and call Dad so you guys can talk.”
“Not until we get more supplies from Jared’s,” Linc denies inflexibly, moving to block the door so I can’t go in.
“Can you wait twenty minutes to fill me in, Riley? Tyson asks.
Riley says, “I’ll fill these guys in, and they can update you.”
Tyson says, “Good. I’ll run back and drive the truck and trailer here.”
“Sounds good,” Mase agrees.
Tyson shifts and runs.
I can’t deal with a conversation with my father.
I open a text string as they move away from me.
It’s Cicely. I’m ok. I’ll be in touch when I can but don’t worry.
It’s immediately ringing with Dad’s name on the screen. Damn it.
I answer. “I’m not sure I can talk right now, Dad,” I rasp, throat clogged with more emotion.
“I know you’re smart. Know you’re strong. But want you to know I love you and I’ll help however I can.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“Kath and her girls are gonna send out some food, love.”
“Can you ask Bailey to pull some clothes and my toothbrush and stuff together?”
The phone is quiet for so long I ask, “Did I lose you?”
“Bailey ain’t here, punkin. I can ask Kathy to do that.”
“Okay?” I query, waiting for whatever else there is. Because Dad doesn’t sound right.
“You got enough to worry about.”
“What’s that mean?” I ask, seeing the guys off in the distance in their huddle and picking up on a not-nice vibe from that direction.
“Bailey followed Jason,” Dad advises. “And something went sideways. Don’t know much, but the council is on it.”
“I’m staring at half the council who are on this thing here.”
“Don’t worry. All hands will be on deck. It’ll get sorted. Evander and Audrey will take turns manning the store. Leona is lookin’ after the library. Colleen is comin’ home to help out with the store. Hired Evander in the meantime.”
Shit. Evander Creed is a pain in my ass. He’s been trying to get me to hire him for months. But he’s too immature and no way would he take orders from a female.
But what the what? Bailey followed Jase? Not a shock. As usual, when drama starts in Arcana Falls, it can’t just be one thing. It’s got to be all hell breaking loose.
“We weren’t gonna tell you but knew you’d keep sniffin’, my little hound.” He’s got humor in his voice, but I don’t find anything funny.
“Worry about you right now, okay?” Dad says.
“Everyone better keep me updated,” I order.
“Don’t sweat it.”
“Please make sure a female packs my clothes and toiletries, not one of the guys.”
“Absolutely. Love you.”
“Love you, Dad.”
8
JARED
I’m gasping as I regain consciousness, still in fight mode and now it’s turning to terror the likes I’ve never felt as I take everything in around me while it also penetrates that I’ve got battle pain.
I’m in the bunker, I’m restrained, and I’m both relieved and furious at the fact she sits on the other side of the barred door on a lawn chair, beautiful dark hair draped over one shoulder, dressed in denim coverall shorts and a black tank top, sneakers on her feet. She holds two weapons – mine and Linc’s. His taser, my stun gun.