What a strange thing to promise.
“Forever is a long time, Mr. Rain.”
“Yes, it is.”
“And you would do that for someone you barely know? I simply don’t understand you.”
“Someday you will, my lady.”
“For better or for worse?”
He flashed a wicked grin. “For richer or poorer.”
“That’s presumptuous.”
Atticus belted out a laugh. When he saw me staring blankly at him, he laughed even more and shielded his eyes. “Apologies. My humor doesn’t always stick the landing, but you left that wide open.”
I gripped my juice glass. “Well, as long as we’re on the topic of proposals, I have one of my own.”
“Name it.”
“I propose you order me some of that expensive ice cream with the gold leaf and truffles and not make any remarks about whether or not it’s good for me.”
He signaled for a server. “Sometimes what’s bad for us is good.”
Chapter 13
Iworried for my packmates. Though I feared getting word of an attack, my phone never rang. After arriving safely at her parents’ house, Hope sent a message saying her old pack was over the moon to see her. They were already planning a special feast for the next day. What a lucky girl to have two families—old and new. To have parents who loved her fiercely and a place she could always retreat to.
The next morning, Atticus made sure the woods were secure before waking me to gather my belongings. Under the cover of darkness, he carried me out of the club and shadow walked down a pathway in the woods. When we arrived at a clearing, a helicopter landed. In all my days of travel, I’d never ridden in one before, so I clutched Atticus the whole way.
His voice came in through the headset. “You’ll miss the sunrise if you keep your eyes shut.”
I bravely opened them and looked out my window.
The pastel colors of dawn painted across the Texas sky were humbling. Rolling hills dotted with trees stretched out like a carpet, and the view from this low altitude was incredible. It reminded me of what was important. Tak wouldn’t have sent meaway if he didn’t care. I’d spent most of my life watching people make selfish choices, and it wasn’t until I joined the Arrowhead pack that I learned what love and devotion looked like.
Atticus didn’t live far by helicopter, and when we began our descent, I looked out my window.
“Thisis where you live?”
From the air, I spotted a paved road that led up to a mansion on a hill, trees nestled all around. The white stucco walls and reddish roof made it easy to spot from above. As we circled to the back, a pool and patio came into view, as did the scope of his house.
“Not all Vampires live in caves,” he quipped.
“You ride your motorcycle to work from all the way out here?” I asked in disbelief, noticing the sharp curves on the hill. “Now I’m glad we took the helicopter.”
Once we landed, I ducked out through the door and distanced myself while Atticus spoke to the pilot. Once the chopper ascended and disappeared from sight, I relished the silence. The birds were startled out of their peaceful perches and squawked while circling overhead.
“This way.” Atticus carried my bag while escorting me toward the house.
Now I knew why he had asked if I owned sneakers. After treading across grass, we reached a set of steps that ascended through a canopy of trees. A pathway led around the house, and when we arrived at the front door, he punched in a code to unlock it.
He gestured inside. “After you.”
The marble floors were so immaculate they gleamed, and the tall windows and lofty ceilings made it spacious and inviting. The interior of his home was a combination of stone and stucco that made it feel both warm and elegant.
While he put away his black coat, I quickly removed my flats and carried them through a large room with a curved staircase. Artwork and lights were all meticulously placed, and in a central hall, I spied very old paintings.
