“I know. It wasn’t my fault,” he acknowledges,finally. His throat bobs. “But it doesn’t change the fact that if she’d been able to go to the hospital without ending up in a collar, she might have survived.”
Ava nods. “I think you should, Nikolai,” she murmurs. “For Nash. But it’s your decision.”
Nik flinches, taking a deep breath. “Okay.”
Rogue sits forward. “Where are we going to film? Here?”
Luc immediately shakes his head. “I don’t want anyone able to trace the broadcast back to this location. I know Bastien can stop that from happening, but it’s a risk that I’d rather not take. Where else can we go?”
Christian stirs. “I know a place. It’s a warehouse outside of the city. About an hour’s drive from here and abandoned.”
Luc’s forehead wrinkles when I glance at him, his fingers flexing on the chair as he hesitates.
I understand his reticence. If we’ve gotten this wrong, if Christian isn’t who he says he is, then this could be a huge mistake. One that could cost us everything.
It’s Ava who sits forward, her caramel curls falling haphazardly around her face. “If we’re going to do this,” she says firmly. “Then we have to trust each other.”
She’s right, but Luc still looks uncomfortable, although he nods in acknowledgment.
“The warehouse it is, then,” Rogue says, looking around. “Let’s take it from the top.”
ChapterFifty-Four
Nikolai
Rogue Winter shakes my hand firmly, his green eyes shadowed.
“I’m sorry about your mate.” The words are genuine, and I nod. “I’m sorry about your mother.”
We pause, the heaviness of the task in front of us settling across our shoulders. Rogue gives me a firm look, his lips tightening. “We’ll end this.”
Fuck, I hope we can keep that promise.
Ava and Harper embrace, whispering words into each other’s ears. Both of our packs have angled themselves around their omega, like points on a compass.
Ava is our north.
Their strength humbles me. More so as Ava breaks away and turns with a sigh, rubbing at her lower back. Stepping forward, worry wrinkles my brow as I note the dark circles under her eyes. Today has been difficult for everyone, but not everyone is carrying around two nearly full-term children. Max is by her side in a flash, the healer in him not missing a trick.
“Your back hurting, sweetheart?”
“I’m a little sore,” she admits wanly. “I think I need to walk it off.”
Holding out my hand, I offer, “Walk with me to get Nash?” That way, I can keep an eye on her. Max nods at me in appreciation as we turn to wave off the Winter pack.
Ava’s smile softens some of my concern. “That sounds like heaven, actually. I’ve missed him today.”
“Me too.”
Her hand wrapped securely in mine, we make our way slowly down to Leah’s cabin.
“We’ll need to explain the plan to Leah.”
Ava cringes. “How do you think she’ll take it?” she worries.
Badly.
I cough into my fist. “She’ll be fine.”
