I finally speak up. “That’s not going to work.”
Chapter Twenty
Sherese
Every head is turned my way, and there’s an obvious tension in the room. “Why not?” I can tell Garrett didn’t enjoy asking that question. I push past the tension and the discomfort in this moment. “You already infiltrated their compound once. It’s not going to happen again. They will have changed the wards and set up new security. Shoot, they could have moved to another location by now. The point is, they will be ready. Rizo will never allow that to happen again. There’s no way you’re all getting back in again.”
“So, there’s no way to get to Ajax?” That comes from Liam.
Paul joins our group, and Garrett’s attention is directed away. They must have a private conversation because Garrett nods and then turns back to us. I choose my words very carefully. “I’m just saying that getting a group inside is going to be impossible. They will be waiting for you. It worked once; it won’t work again.” I can feel the tension in the room rise, and I don’t forget for a moment that these are powerful wolves that I’m making angry. I take a breath and then say the words I’m probably going to regret. “I’ll go.” It’s absolutely silent in the room. “I’ll go back to the vampires. They’ll let me in. I already alluded to Rizo that I was just biding my time and that I’d return. He thinks they’re keeping me captive in Phoenix.” I shrug, portraying a carelessness I certainly don’t feel.
“No, Sherese,” Ava says, and I don’t dare look over at her. “We got you out; you can’t go back.” There’s such a desperation in her voice that it almost makes me crack. But I don’t. I keep an expressionless mask on my face. “I can get you Ajax. It will justtake some time. I have to find out what they’ve changed, where the weaknesses are, and how we can get you in. It will take time, though,” I reiterate. “The vampires are cruel, but they’re not stupid, especially Rizo.”
It’s so quiet in the room, I don’t know what to do with myself. Garrett finally turns to Bryce. “She’s in your pack; it will ultimately be your call.”
I frown. “I’m not part of his pack.”
Bryce turns to me. “Yes, you are.” His words aren’t aggressive, but there’s a finality to them.
I stare at him. “I’m a vampire.”
“Yes, you are.”
“Then how can I be a part of your pack?”
He glances at Ava and then back at me. “You protected my mate when I couldn’t. You will always bepackto me because of that.” I swallow but don’t say anything. I don’t think I could if I had to.
“And you’re my friend,” Ava adds. “You’re pack.” The way she says it sounds like she’s daring someone to argue with her.
“Won’t it be dangerous for you to go back?” Liam asks.
I shrug. “They can’t kill me. If they do, it kills Rizo, the head vampire. They won’t, obviously.”
Liam whistles. “You’re tied to that guy?” I nod, and he shakes his head. “It’s a good thing we didn’t take him out then.”
I blink and then blink again. I wait for someone to laugh or correct him, but nobody does. When I look at Ava, she frowns, like she can’t figure out what is so confusing. “Why?” I can’t keep the question to myself.
“Why what?” Liam asks, obviously confused by my question.
“Why is it a good thing you didn’t take out Rizo? Don’t you know how much easier your lives would be right now if you had?”
“Sherese,” Ava responds sharply.
I look over at her, not really surprised to see the anger on her face. “I mean, obviously I’m glad you didn’t, but still.”
“I think I speak for everybody when I say this,” Raechel starts. “We appreciate what you’re willing to do, but is it a wise idea for you to return? You’ll be all alone. If something goes wrong—”
“She won’t be alone. I’ll go with her.”
My head whips towards Hunter so fast. “No, you won’t.”
His dark gaze meets mine. “Yes, I will.”
“You can’t. They will never let you come with me.”
“Then you’d better find a way to convince them.”
I stare at him. “No. You’re not going with me.”
