“I won’t freak out,” I promised.
“I won’t be back in three hours. It’s going to take longer.”
“I know.”
“I don’t want to fucking do this.” He leaned closer, our noses brushing. “You know that, right? I want to carry you back to that bed and stay there for a week.”
I nodded.
“Soon, Rosie.”
“Be careful.” I tilted my head so our lips brushed.
“I will.”
I was afraid to hope as he led me out to the living room, where everyone was waiting. The Vampires were grim and determined as they greeted each other and me. Even Chance had lost his sardonic smile as he handed Daniel weapon after weapon that my mate stashed all over his body.
“You good?” I asked Ian, stepping in next to him.
“Yeah, I’m good,” he replied. “You good?”
“I’m fine.”
He shot me a look.
“Better than I was earlier,” I said, rolling my eyes. “Not looking forward to this next part, but you guys have the harder job.”
“I’m just hoping that he’ll have something to tell us,” Ian said quietly. “My dad’s pretty fucking pissed that this guy is involved. I guess they worked together for years.”
“Hopefully, he gives you enough information that we can take them all down,” I said, bumping my shoulder against his biceps. “I love the old man, but I’m getting tired of living with him.”
“I heard that,” my pop said, not even bothering to look at us as he helped Uncle Dalton with something I couldn’t see.
Ian had been on missions before, but never something like this. From the conversation that flowed around me as they finished getting dressed, they planned on taking a helicopter tothe coast and then traveling to the house on foot. They weren’t sure how much security Edgar Adamson had, but they weren’t very concerned about neutralizing anyone who got in their way.
Neutralizing, not killing. The Vampires guarding the lieutenant general were part of Command. They wouldn’t kill any of them for doing their job unless there was no other choice.
Edgar Adamson, on the other hand, would meet swift justice if they confirmed that he’d been in league with the Vampires and humans responsible for the murders.
Daniel pulled me close and kissed me hard as they filed out of the house.
“Remember, I’m fine unless you hear otherwise.”
“I know,” I whispered back.
He stared at me for a moment. “I love you.”
I didn’t even have time to process what he’d said before he was out the door and jogging down the front steps. Seconds later, they were driving away in one of Strike’s black SUVs with Uncle Dalton at the wheel.
“Can I shut the door now?” my pop asked dryly. “Or you wanna keep staring at the taillights some more.”
I shook my head to clear it and then looked at him.
“Did you hear him?” I asked, not quite sure if I’d heard what I heard.
“He wasn’t bein’ quiet,” my dad replied, swinging the door shut. He locked both the deadbolt and the handle as he chuckled. “Your response left a little to be desired.”
“Shut up.”
