“Nathan’s at work and so is Tim. I’m not waiting. Tell them to meet us there, whatever, I don’t care.”
Jared had his phone out dialling someone, but he was finally hurrying towards the stairs, so Seb didn’t give a shit who he called.
“We’re going back to Seb’s flat,” Jared said to whoever was on the other end. “Family emergency.” He gave a quick rundown of the situation, then hung up. “Gareth’ll meet us at my car.”
“Fine. But he better hurry, because we’re not waiting.”
Contrary to his words, Seb relaxed a little at the news. As everything started to sink in, the realisation that this was maybe a bad idea dawned on him. He and Jared were human; they’d be absolutely no help to Kelly if shifters were involved.
But she was his sister; he couldn’t just sit around and do nothing. Gareth was a beta, stronger than either Nathan or Tim, and having him there swung the odds considerably in their favour.
“I’m sure it’s all fine,” Jared said as they hurried down the stairs. “She probably just got in another cab.”
Seb clung onto the rail tightly as he went faster than was probably safe for him.Fucking cast.“You honestly believe that?” Jared’s silence spoke volumes. “Thought not.”
“How would they know about Kelly? Or when her flight got in? Who did you tell?”
“Only Tim, last night.” For a second he considered it, but no, Tim would never—
Could someone have overheard?
Gareth caught up to them before they reached the front door. “Wait here.” He rushed past them and out the door, returning after a few moments. “Come on.”
Jared was parked close, thank God, and they piled into the car. Gareth insisted on driving, and Seb managed to refrain from rolling his eyes. Of course the beta wanted to be in charge.
“Don’t call Nathan,” Gareth said when Jared got out his phone.
“Why?”
“He can’t be there. Neither can Tim.” Jared went to protest, as did Seb, but Gareth spoke again, cutting them off. “If anyone is waiting at your flat, then the last thing we need is Nathan and Tim going into protective mode. I don’t need them killing anyone if we can help it.”
Seb understood why it might be a bad idea for Nathan to be there, but why Tim? “Tim and I aren’t—”
“Whatever you think you are or are not, if you’re in the slightest danger, Tim would protect you.”
Gareth’s voice had a warning edge to it that Seb didn’t exactly care for, but he let it go without comment. There were bigger things to focus on.
Gareth went on issuing his orders and information, fully in control now. “I’ve called Alec. He’ll bring one of his unit and meet us there.”
Oh. Well, that made Seb feel better. With three shifters on their side, surely the odds were in their favour?
He tried calling Kelly repeatedly as they headed through the Thursday traffic towards his flat. Each time it went straight to voice mail. Either she’d run out of charge—possible—or there was no signal. Considering where Seb lived, the latter was extremely doubtful. With his phone gripped in one hand and the edge of his seat in the other, Seb counted down the minutes until Gareth indicated and turned into his road.
Everything appeared as innocuous as ever. Seb wasn’t sure what he’d been expecting, but seeing the street looking completely normal threw him off.
Gareth lowered the window and leaned out.
Is he sniffing the air?Seb poked Jared in the shoulder to get his attention, then gestured at Gareth. “What?” he mouthed.
“He’s scenting the air.” Jared spoke out loud for Gareth to hear, and Seb slunk lower into the seat, glaring at him. Jared shrugged. “What?”
“Nothing.”
Gareth glanced back at him before resuming whatever it was he was doing. “Just trying to get a feel for who’s about.”
Seb strained to look out the windows as much as possible, up and down the road.As if I’d be able to spot anyone even if they were there.
The closer they got to his flat, the thicker the tension inside the car became. He was practically vibrating in his seat, cast forgotten as he twisted this way and that to try and see any sign of foul play near his building.
