“For what reason?”
“So they don’t get spooked and move again.”
I wasn’t sure I liked where this idea was heading. “And what do you plan to do with that time?”
Firelight reflected in his piercing eyes. “I haven’t decided yet.”
“I think you have. Tak would never send us to destroy a secret lab. Never in a million years! We’re not bounty hunters. Lakota is, but that’s not his job as second-in-command.”
When his phone rang, he answered. “I’m here.”
I tried leaning closer to eavesdrop, but he had the volume turned too low.
Atticus nodded. “Splendid. I’m glad no one was harmed.”
I held out my hand and begged for the phone until he gave it to me. “Hello? Tak?”
My alpha cleared his throat. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I’m out of the loop. Is everyone okay?”
“Everyone’s fine. We’ve got it under control.”
I breathed a sigh of relief. “When can I come home?”
His silence made me wonder if he’d put me on mute.
“Tak?”
“Yes. Um… I’m not ready to send for you or Hope. Not yet.”
“Why not?”
“If they send more men, it’ll be more than just a few Vampires.”
“Bring everyone here. Atticus has plenty of room.”
Atticus blinked at me in surprise.
“Can’t do that, and you know it. If we abandon our home, we leave it open for anyone to claim. We protect what’s ours. How’s the Vampire treating you?” he asked firmly.
I couldn’t lie even if I wanted desperately to go back home. “Very well. I have everything I could possibly want, but I’m homesick already. What if…?” I turned away from Atticus, as if he couldn’t hear me quietly ask, “I can’t deliver my baby here. That’s an absurdity, and Milly’s too far away.”
“I can’t discuss this at the moment. We’re in the middle of cleaning up a crime scene, but we’ll work it out soon—I promise. Stop worrying and put Atticus back on the phone.”
I tossed Atticus his phone before pushing myself off the couch. While he wrapped up his conversation, I left the room to get some fresh air. The back door wouldn’t open, and I wanted to break the glass with a hammer.
I’m going out of my mind. Does he really want me to stay here? For how long? I can’t deliver a baby all by myself. What if something happens?
“I can’t even go outside.”
The door suddenly unlocked.
Glancing over my shoulder, I watched Atticus striding toward me. After tapping his phone screen, the shutters outside the door instantly rose.
“As I said before, you’re not a prisoner in my home. These are safety precautions to prevent intruders.” He set his phone on a table before holding the door open. “My lady.”
The moon stole my attention as I looked skyward. It shone so brightly that the surrounding stars couldn’t compete. I drew in a deep breath and caught a whiff of chlorine from the pool. I missed the feel of my wolves inside me—the way they would each push against my skin, begging to come out. They were city wolves who had spent their time in hotel rooms, and I couldn’t wait for them to experience the wild.
