“Nothing except he’s behind closed doors.”
I bounced my foot, hoping Steven would force the elders to call off the guardians. One fewer problem to deal with. Then I could have my husband back. We had a ton to do to prepare for the road ahead. More importantly, this was a critical time for a father to bond with his son and daughters.
I massaged a knot in my neck, then my shoulder. I would feel the soreness more tomorrow, but nothing two Advil wouldn’t help. “I’m going to step out for some air.” If I sat too long, I might not be able to move, and the station was rather confining and stuffy. I could also use a walk on the beach, but that would have to wait, although there was a park across from the station.
Conrad was about to follow me out when his phone rang. He raised an eyebrow at me. “Don’t go far.”
He was still on high alert, and I couldn’t blame him. If Rianne knew where I was, then I would think my grandmother, or even Adam and Roman, did as well.
“You can watch me through the glass door.”
Nodding, he answered his call.
Once I was sniffing the salt air, I looked around the immediate area. Aside from the park across the street, there wasn’t much for a quarter mile. I leaned against Stan’s cruiser, eyeing Conrad, who was standing inside watching me as he talked.
The vampire scout was attached to my hip, it seemed. But I wasn’t complaining. I liked having him as my bodyguard. He reminded me of Lane, who’d died protecting me. I felt sorrow and guilt for what had happened to him. I didn’t want anyone dying because of me. But like Lane, Conrad was a wealth of knowledge. Conrad was fascinated with how bridges were built, had a love for old western movies, and was a history buff.
I angled my face toward the waning blue sky as a light breeze played with my hair. I closed my eyes and prayed we would catch a break.
Having Rianne in custody was a huge win, in my book. But I wouldn’t be able to sleep until I knew how Rianne found out where I was, and I wanted to know the whereabouts of my evil grandmother. Harriet Aberdeen’s last words to me had been,“Layla, if I were you, I would protect that baby at all costs.”
She was the one I had to worry about, and since Rianne had found me, my grandmother had to know where I was. Conrad was right. We had to regroup, which meant we had to find another hiding place. Sam had mentioned he would ask Dane if I could stay at the shifter compound. I doubted Dane would say no, although I might have to state my case to his pack, which was fine by me.
The loud rumble of an engine, tires crunching over gravel, and the screeching of brakes had my eyes open and my dagger in my hand.
Before I could track movement, Conrad was outside as the passenger emerged from the black SUV.
I did a double take, confusion mingling with happiness. My heart thundered as my mind scrambled to figure out why my gorgeous husband was in Maine. Steven must’ve called off the cavalry.
But while I was over the moon, my hot-as-sin vampire with his black hair unbound and free about his massive shoulders was anything but elated. It was clear that the worry steeped in his green eyes was a direct result of Rianne. Jo must’ve told him.
I lifted my hands. “I’m fine, husband,” I felt compelled to say.
He stalked toward me with a sense of purpose, no doubt dying to wrap his arms around me. Instead, he sized me up from head to toe, his features tight, his lips pursed, and his carotid artery pulsing to beat the band.
I gave him a flirty smile, hoping it would help loosen his tight muscles. But nope. His nostrils were flaring, and his green eyes swirled to liquid silver.
I reached up and flattened a hand on his stubbled jaw. “Sam, I’m not hurt.”
Quick as a whip, his hands were around me, tugging me to him. He buried his nose in my hair. “I’ve been a fucking freak with worry for ten minutes.”
The second our bodies were touching, everything was right in the world despite the chaos around us, and I sighed, relieved I had my husband in my arms.
“We were operating on radio silence,” Tripp said to Conrad behind Sam and me. “I just turned on my phone, and Webb’s message was short. Rianne was here, and Layla was fine. I tried to call him, but he’s helping Steven. We didn’t have any luck reaching Jo.”
“She doesn’t know much,” Conrad said. “I only gave her the good parts. Layla wanted to talk to Sam before we shared the details.”
Sam edged away, then took my dagger from me. He smirked that dimpled grin that made me weak in the knees, and as his gaze took a hike up and down my body, desire and intent pooled in his green eyes.
Now that the tension had eased, my pulse shot into the stratosphere, my excitement reaching new heights. A ball of love and uncontained lust rushed through my veins—fast, hot, hard, spinning, and out of control. My husband was home. It felt like forever since I’d snuggled up to him, when in fact, it had been three weeks since he and I had shared the pullout couch in the birthing suite on the night we’d shared an intimate and mind-blowing sexy dream. More importantly, he would see his babies, hug them, help feed them, and bond with them.
I flattened my hands on his toned chest and felt his heart beating furiously. “Are you free? Please say yes.” But I would take one night if that was the case.
“For the time being,” he said.
Someone knocked on the glass door.
I peeked around Sam to find Stan waving us in.
