Ocean: How the hell do you deal with all of this male testosterone? It’s giving me a damn headache. I miss you.
I snicker because lord freaking knows I don’t know either.
Ocean: Thorne is being added to the kill list. He knows where you are, and he’s going alone. I’m furious, but I miss you more, so I guess I can suck it up if it means you’re going to come back. It would just be a hell of a lot easier if these stupid men knew how to communicate and keep others in the loop!
I rub my closed fist against my chest, willing the ache away, but it doesn’t do much. However, seeing Ocean’s messages gives me the courage to click on Thorne’s trail of texts next.
Thorne: Where are you?
Thorne: Answer my call or tell Kael to.
He really is a grouchy asshole at all times.
Thorne: Don’t worry, Echo. I’ll find you.
My heart stills. Six words and they make my heart flutter, even when it shouldn’t.
Thorne: You were in my dream. A first for me. I could see the doubt in your eyes and hear the certainty in your tone that you genuinely believe I won’t find you. I love nothing more than proving people wrong.
Of course, he would take it as a challenge. He might drive me insane with his hot and cold behavior, despite how understandable his reasons are, but my soul is eternally grateful that he followed through, even when I doubt him.
Thorne: Consider yourself found.
There’s a picture attached beneath his message. It’s me, sleeping in the apartment in Paris. My heart threatens to soar, but I swallow it down quickly, refusing to allow myself to go there with him when I know nothing will ever come of it.
Instead, I focus on busying myself, which involves the strength to tap on the text messages from Rion; all twenty-one of them.
Rion: Petal, where you at?
Rion: Let me know you’re okay. I saw the blood. I’m worried.
Rion: Please, Petal. I’m sorry. I know it’s my fault, but Tiran deserved it. No one says shit about you. Ever. You’re my girl. But I regret it now. I don’t know where the hell you are, and we have to head back.
Why on Earth does he think it’s his fault? Tiran was an ass, Willow and Brenna too, that doesn’t make it his fault.
Rion: I’ve been cutesy, Elodie. Don’t make me get growly. Answer my call. We have to leave right now.
Rion: Petal?
Rion: Fuck.
I shouldn’t like it when he’s grouchy too, but… I do.
Rion: What. The. Fuck.
Rion: Kael told us everything. My hatred for him can wait until I’ve found you. I’ve been distracted once before; I won’t be again. Hold tight, Petal.
I clutch my nightie. The ache in my chest is impossible to relieve, despite the fact that I know I’m safe now, but I can feel his distress through the texts.
Rion: I think you have the most annoying friend in existence. How do you cope with her? She’s so bossy.
Rion: She saw that.
Rion: She said I have to take it back.
Rion: I don’t.
I snicker. The two of them together are rather amusing.
