Dalton shook his head. “There’s no one I’d rather have with me, but he’s not up for this kind of shit anymore. His back’s too fucked.”
“Shame,” I muttered.
“Better to have him home with Flower, anyway,” Dalton said as we reached the house. “She shouldn’t be here alone.”
When we got inside, only Gary was still in the kitchen.
“Rosemary?” I asked.
“She’s in the bedroom, I think,” he said tiredly.
I moved past him.
“I know you’re doin’ your best,” he said to my back. “But this shit isn’t working.”
I didn’t bother to respond as I went searching for my mate.
Rosemary was in the bedroom, sitting on the chair where my clothes usually got tossed. She’d shoved them all onto the floor.
“Nice of you to join me,” she said, her legs thrown over the arm of the chair. “Have a good talk with your brother?”
“I know you’re pissed.”
She huffed.
“You think I like this any more than you do?” I asked, keeping my voice level.
Arguing about it wasn’t going to help. This was the situation we were in. We either found a way to make it work or we were miserable. Those were the two options. Walking away wasn’t possible. Ignoring the militia that would all too happily kidnap and kill her wasn’t possible either.
“I think that you took off this morning and didn’t bother coming back until Dalton called you.”
“I was on my way back when you called.”
“Sure, you were.”
“How do you think I got here so fast?” I asked, crouching down in front of the chair.
“Why the fuck wouldn’t you call to tell me you’d be late?” she asked in exasperation. “Seriously, what the hell?”
“Honestly?”
“No, lie to me,” she replied sarcastically.
“After we saw that video and Chance asked me to go with him to talk to some contacts he had in the city, I didn’t call because I was afraid that I’d have to bail on him if I heard your voice.”
She just stared at me.
“I lied when I said it was a six. It’s much higher than that. I fucking hate it, okay?” I murmured, running my hand downher thigh. “I don’t enjoy being away from you. The physical symptoms are miserable, and I’m constantly fighting the instinct to get back to you in any way possible.”
“Then why are you making me stay here?” she whispered.
“Because the only thing worse than that would be taking you with me and taking the chance that one of those militia members gets a glimpse of you.” Reaching up, I let my fingers tangle in her hair. “But we’re getting close to the head of the snake, baby. Depending on what happens tonight, this could all be over soon.”
“What’s happening tonight?” she asked suspiciously.
“Chance, Dalton, Ian, and I are going to go see Edgar Adamson.”
“One of the names on the list,” she said in understanding.
