When Riordan broke the kiss, much to Wade’s dissatisfaction, the selkie cupped his face with one hand and rested his forehead against Wade’s. “I wish I’d known you before Niall.”
“I won’t let him keep your sister or take you,” Wade said.
Riordan didn’t say anything to that, but it was fine. Wade meant it.
He didn’t like anyone touching what was his.
Riordan reluctantly pulled away. “Come on, let’s get back upstairs. I’m sure the food has arrived and is getting cold.”
Wade grabbed his hand and hauled him toward the stairs. “Can’t have that.”
They headed back upstairs, and Wade spent the rest of the evening eating his way through every dish on the menu while holding Riordan’s hand.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Riordan sawWade off with a lingering kiss, wishing he could follow the younger man back to the hotel, but he needed to be near his siblings after the night’s events. He’d offered to let Wade stay the night, but Wade had wanted to check on Ella. Riordan didn’t like that Wade would be traveling around Boston alone but knew he’d be able to take care of himself. A dragon who could pay for help from Lucien, of all people, wasn’t someone most people would mess with.
Only Niall didn’t know Wade was a dragon or from the New York City god pack. Wade cheerfully considered that knowledge his ace in the hole, and Riordan wasn’t going to tell him he was wrong. From what he’d seen, Wade would be a serious adversary if they were on opposite sides of a fight.
“You should tell Wade about your fixation,” Saoirse said once Wade’s car had disappeared around the corner.
Riordan shook his head, hands tucked into his jacket pockets as they headed back inside. “I’m not going to put that on him.”
He would never make Wade feel obligated for anything, not after what he’d disclosed in the basement of the pub. It was a wonder Wade was as cheerful and confident as he was, and Riordan had a feeling it came down to the core of the NewYork City god pack. People didn’t get to grow and thrive without feeling safe.
Besides, Riordan didn’t want to make Wade sad when he inevitably gave leadership of the clan to Donal and traded his skin for Saoirse’s. There was no hope of a relationship where he was going. He’d take comfort in a dream of something he’d never had rather than aching over what was lost.
He locked the door behind them, sensing the gentle pulse of the threshold as it settled around the foundation of the home. The threshold was old, having been laid down decades ago, and was strong enough to keep out unwanted visitors, even if it couldn’t keep out phone calls.
Riordan’s phone rang, piercing the late-night quiet and causing his siblings to pause in their trek upstairs. He pulled it out of his pocket, hoping it was Wade, but his heart sank when he recognized the number Niall had given him the other week when the other fae had first handed down his demands. He didn’t want to answer it.
“Who is it?” Donal asked.
Riordan grimaced, finally forcing himself to accept the call and put the phone to his ear. “Niall.”
“You must think yourself rather clever for interceding with the Boston Night Court,” Niall said in a silky voice full of violence.
“I went to warn Abhartach. You were the one who attacked while Lucien was visiting.”
“I was chasing after a broken bargain. It seems I must chase after you as well.”
He couldn’t stop the way his heart beat a little faster. “We still have time on the bargain.”
“Not after tonight, you don’t. Tomorrow afternoon, you will give me your skin, or you will hand over your sister. What will it be, hm? Your clan or your family?”
Niall ended the call, and Riordan closed his eyes, the threat ringing in his ears like a sonic boom.
He shook himself back to clarity when Saoirse touched her hand to his chest, pressing her palm over his rapidly beating heart. She looked up at him, face so pale, eyes so big, and he didn’t want to ever not see her face in his life. “Don’t do it. I’ll go to him.”
“Like hell you will,” Donal growled as he clattered down the steps.
Riordan dragged his little sister into a hug, holding her tight. “Donal is right. You aren’t going to him.”
“But—” she gasped out against his chest.
Riordan met Donal’s gaze over their sister’s hunched form, his older brother’s expression one of twisting grief. “If it has to be one of us, it’ll be me, and I won’t let him take the clan.”
Saoirse poked him hard in the side. “No. The clan needs you.Weneed you. You’re the one we all agreed to lead us.”
