Murphy’s lips twitched. “No.”
“There isn’t some creepy, spiderweb-filled tunnel under your cabin that leads to the spooky dungeon?”
“The dungeon is not spooky,” Jasper cut in, nudging her side with his elbow.
“Yes, it is,” Dante and Marcus answered together. And just like that, the mood in the vehicle plummeted, a somberness setting in that she despised passionately. It was enough to seep the last of her adrenaline out of her, leaving her suddenly exhausted.
As silence filled the SUV, Zeke pulled out onto a main, familiar road that led toward Murphy’s home.
Her mate dropped his hand from her hair, sitting stiffly in his seat. Nessa took his hand in hers and leaned her head against his shoulder as Jasper and Colter began speaking about something unimportant in hushed voices.
“Rest, sweetheart,” Murphy told Nessa, brushing his lips over her forehead. “I’ll wake you when we’re home.”
Chapter 47
As his cabin came into view, the setting sun painting a beautiful backdrop of an orange horizon behind it, Murphy breathed a small sigh of relief.
The day was finally over, and hopefully in the next few hours, he’d handle all of his remaining problems.
He was more than ready to get Nessa inside, comfort her however she needed, and eventually fall asleep with her in his arms. Realistically, he didn’t know if he could stomach the thought of her being out of his sight for a single second.
Leaning down, he kissed the crown of his mate’s head. “We’re home, Nes.”
She grumbled something, her brows pinching together as she frowned. Slowly, her eyes slid open, that deep chocolate gazemelting some of the lingering icy fear that had permeated his soul in recent hours.
She is safe now,he reminded himself.
Zeke pulled into Murphy’s long driveway, parking the SUV right in front of his home. He switched off the engine.
Nessa yawned. “I feel like I could sleep for days.”
Murphy unbuckled himself and then her before opening the back door. “That can be arranged.”
He’d ensure she got all the rest she needed, even if he had to kill someone else to achieve it.
Gently, he plucked Nessa out of the car, carrying her bridal-style up the stairs of his front porch.
Nessa rested the side of her head against his chest. “You know I can walk.”
Jasper gasped loudly from somewhere behind them. “No way. Really? Holy shit, Zeke, Nessa can walk!”
She sighed dramatically. “Now I regret hugging you, Jasper.”
“See? I told you that you were mean, Nessa.” Jasper clapped Murphy on the shoulder. “You’ve got your work cut out for you, Murph. She might charm you with cake, but I know what she’s really like. And Nessa? She’s vicious.”
Murphy snorted, opening his front door and carrying his mate past the threshold. “Nessa’s perfect,” he argued, beelining for the leather couch. He placed her on a cushion, ensuring she was comfortable before standing to his full height.
Turning, he shot his youngest brother a pointed look. “I hope you weren’t implying otherwise.”
“Me?” Jasper shook his head good-naturedly. “I would never. I like vicious women.”
“Is that right?” Nessa laughed suddenly, and the tension knotted in Murphy’s chest loosened. That sound was like a warm balm, soothing his anxiety and lingering fear.
He’d worried his mate would take days, or longer, to grapple with what had happened today. She probably would.
But her laughter? It was a good sign that she’d heal from today’s trauma sooner rather than later.
Thank you,he whispered into Jasper’s mind, beyond grateful for the small gift he’d given Murphy and his mate.
