When Hal saidwe should go back to their territory, I expected to spend the night at Colt and Remy’s dads’ house.
Instead of heading there, Rook makes a turn down a different road and leads us past a bunch of houses, shops, and public spaces. Azrael peels off from our pack as we reach what I assume is the town center, but the rest of the guys stay with us.
A part of me hoped he cared enough to stay with me, but I’m not really that surprised he’s noping out. Azrael’s made it abundantly clear where I stand with him, and I’d do well to remember it.
As we drive, the buildings get farther and farther apart until there’s nothing around us but trees and grassy plains.
After a few minutes, a historic-looking house comes into view. Whitewashed brick and gray slate roofing tiles tower over the surrounding oaks. Ivy climbs up the front of the house and the wrought-iron gates. A paver driveway winds in front of the sizable structure before circling around back.
“This is your house?” I ask, surprise coloring my voice.
I expected their house to be modern or industrial style, not an old Georgian home in the middle of a forest.
Rook rolls down his window and punches a code into the gate. “Yeah. It used to be one of the guard outposts. Az took it over when the valor stopped using it. It’s been our home here for a while.”
I stare at the fountain with a stone dragon roaring on top of it as we drive around the house. “Why’d they stop using it?”
He pulls into the massive ten-car garage and shuts off the vehicle. “There weren’t enough guards to fill the outposts anymore.”
I don’t get the chance to ask anything else as Rook hops out of my car. He grabs the backpack from the back seat before making his way around to my door, just as I’m climbing out. He holds out his hands to steady me, as if he’s afraid I’m one wrong move away from collapsing.
Honestly, he’s not far from the truth.
The rest of the guys pull in behind us, taking any available spot in the surprisingly sparse garage. For how many bikes they own, they really don’t keep many at this house.
Our boots click against the shiny walnut floors as we walk through a chef’s kitchen, open-concept living and dining room with a massive TV, plush navy sectional, and plain light wood table, and over to the understated carpeted stairs to the second floor.
Thanks to all the windows everywhere, I bet the house would feel light and airy during the day, despite all the dark wood. Right now, the moon streams in, providing more than enough light for our silent procession to navigate by.
Rook doesn’t stop until he pushes through a set of walnut double doors into a huge bedroom. A massive white four-poster bed dominates the space. It’s as large as at least two kings and is definitely the biggest bed I’ve ever seen.
Soft white carpet, ivory furniture, gauzy pale blue drapes, and a fluffy silver duvet give the space an almost feminine feel. Jealousy knifes through me at the thought of another woman staying here. I smother it because I have no claim to the guys. None at all.
Rook gently sets my backpack on the cream-upholstered bench at the foot of the bed before turning to face me. “You can spend the night here. You can sleep alone. Or… we can stay here with you. It’s whatever you want.”
“Stay. Please,” I whisper.
I don’t want to be alone tonight.
Remy steps up to me and captures my chin in his hand. “You don’t ever have to beg us for anything, love. Do you want all or just one or some of us?”
“All,” I answer without hesitation.
The four of them nod and disperse to get ready to sleep. After throwing on a tank and shorts as pajamas, I climb into the incredibly comfortable bed. It’s somehow firm and soft at the same time, and I know my crappy mattress will feel even more like cardboard after this.
Settling into the middle of the bed, I lie there, lost in my thoughts, as the four of them slowly filter back in. Colt and Remy are the first ones back and happily claim their places right next to me.
Hal and Rook grumble about having to sleep so far away from me before someone flicks off the lights. After everyone says goodnight, I try my best to stay awake. Sleep claims me, despite my best efforts, and I fall into an uneasy slumber.
CHAPTER 30
LARK
The dial tone rings for what feels like forever. I grit my teeth, already knowing it’s going to go to voicemail.
Wren hasn’t answered a single one of my calls since she left for her honeymoon with Marcus a few days ago.
I’ve left all sorts of voicemails—angry, tearful, concerned, frustrated, and pleading. I’m going crazy trapped in this house with my mother’s full attention on me, and I could really use my big sister.
