It didn’t matter to Seth. This place was gross and evil, and Seth had done what he could to not make it all worse, but it was time to go.
Seth took one step, and his knees buckled.
Before he could hit the ground, Riley had picked him off the floor, tucking Seth to his chest in a bridal carry. Maybe Sethwasthat dainty, because he didn’t protest this time. He was tired andcold and ready to be coddled now. He’d been brave and strong enough for one day.
Wolfe stalked over and held an arm out to Violet. “Young lady.” He had blood smeared all over his mouth, dripping down to his pocket square.
Violet took his arm without hesitation. “Let’s roll.”
28
RILEY
Running was easiest.
Riley knew there was a car somewhere—Violet had driven most of the way to the bunker, and she’d probably left her keys in the engine for a fast getaway. She seemed like the type to think ahead like that.
But sitting still in a moving vehicle that included Wolfgang and Violet as its occupants sounded like a new form of hell after what they’d just been through, so Riley ran with Seth in his arms, leaving the other two far behind. He could faintly hear Wolfe mutter something sarcastic and cutting at the bunker entrance, but Riley ignored it easily.
“These hospital gowns really let you feel the breeze,” Seth murmured, his only comment on their method of travel.
He was cold, of course. It was winter in Washington, so obviously Seth was cold, his flesh covered in goose bumps. And he was too pale already from his ordeal, with dark circles under his eyes that had no right to be there.
Riley needed to fix it, but all he could do to help was run faster. He didn’t even have the words to answer Seth, couldn’t seem to form the sounds needed to apologize for not thinking of bringing a warm blanket or a coat. The adrenaline rush from the rescue had faded, and all that was left inside Riley was a shuddering, desperate need to get Sethaway.
Seth didn’t complain though. He only huddled into Riley’s warmth as Riley sped them through the woods.
“We’re going back to mine?” Seth asked after a while.
Riley made an affirmative grunt. There. Communication.
“Your place is closer,” Seth commented mildly. “And won’t your moms want you to check in? You were close to getting captured. I’m sure they’re worried.”
Seth’s considerations were thoughtful. Logical. Riley should agree and change course accordingly.
Riley couldn’t seem to access that part of his brain, though, the one that agreed with Seth like it should.
In the bunker, Riley had been running through halls filled with racing human heartbeats, filled with rushing blood that Riley had been given carte blanche permission from his family to take. He would have been allowed to bite and drain and kill without remorse, if that was what it took to rescue Seth and stay free from the institute’s clutches.
And yet Riley’s only focus—his only drive—had been to find the one human heart in that whole place that beat only for him. To search it out not to harm but to protect.
Riley had even been offered Mr. Perkins on Wolfe’s version of a silver platter, and Riley’s monster hadn’t so much as sniffed at it once Seth had laid his gentle, calloused hand on their arm.
Their whole focus had been on their mate and the promise he’d made.
You’re mine. I’m yours.That was what Seth had said.
“Privacy,” Riley managed to say now, in response to Seth’s concerns.
Riley’s house would be too full of people, and every one of them would want to poke and prod and ask their questions. His moms would want to coddle and comfort; Wolfe would want more information about the fae. Violet would…Riley didn’t know, actually. But it would probably be something annoying.
“Ah,” Seth said. “I see.” He paused for only a beat, then asked, “You’re not…I mean, are you planning on turning me right now?”
This was where Riley was supposed to act purely human—the moment where he promised he could wait until Seth was 100 percent ready. Until Seth was, at the very least, warm and fed and happy, and not shivering and traumatized from that horrible fucking cell.
But Riley couldn’t form the right words, and even though his fangs had receded, it was his voice who answered Seth, “Yes. Right now.”
Riley didn’t take it back. He couldn’t. Seth had promised to protect him, and what Riley needed protection from right now was his own pain and fear and panic. That niggling dread that Seth might get taken from him again. That the next disappearance might be permanent. That Riley might lose the forever he’d only just found.
