“Why’d they call the Feds?” I slow, approaching our cabins.
“They think she was trafficked. Apparently, there’ve been busts up here before. Assholes using RVs to move victims. But I could tell. We’re not talking country cartels. Sasha’s not from around here. No sun kisses.”
“Sun kisses?”
“Freckles.” I glance over, and Alena’s pointing at the cute ones sprinkled across her nose. “It’s what my mom called them. Sasha was so pale. Like she’s been in captivity for years, or she’s not from the South.”
I clench my jaw so tight I could break my molars.Fucking Carter.I’m going to send Jace to find him. To beat him for intel before I drown his ass in a river.
“So, they took her to a safe house,” Alena continues, “to an undisclosed location, but I made the agent in charge promise to keep me in the loop. I swear I’ll visit Sasha as soon as they let me.” She rubs the bare spot on her wrist. “I gave her my bracelet. I think she understood it means I’m coming back for her; she’s not alone.”
Alena’s bracelet. She’s worn it for as long as I’ve watched her. It’s a thin gold rope she wears on her left wrist.
“That was your mom’s bracelet, wasn’t it?”
She glances up at me. “How’d you know?”
Because this is why I’ve been in love with you for years—you have a hero’s heart.
I swallow. “I’d do the same. I’ll never abandon someone.” She blinks, her eyes looking too tired to cry. “And it’s also why we’re having a sleepover with popcorn and a romcom. You can’t sleep, so neither will I.”
She pulls away, finally grinning. “A sleepover?”
“Yes, a sleepover. And don’t try anything frisky, young lady. I’m a delicate virgin who won’t put out until you make me an honest man.”
She laughs, and it’s my North Star. It’s what I seek.
“Come on.” I open the door. “I’ve got the perfect movie and a bag of Poppycock. You know, popcorn with nuts.”
“Nuts? Yeah, you got ’em.”
She tries joking, but she’s too exhausted. She lets me take her hand, leading her inside my cabin.
Mutt barks, excited about our first lady guest, as I point her toward the bathroom. “You can take a shower, then check the little closet. I have clean sweats in there that’ll fit you like a sexy potato sack.”
“Hey, Waring?” She turns to me.
“Yeah, Allen?”
Wrapping her hands around my waist, she pulls me near, resting her head on my chest. “Thank you. Thanks for knowing I could save her today, and thanks for saving me tonight.”
This is the feeling.
On all the pages. In all the movies. In fables and folklore. This is love. It’s the most beautiful, crushing pressure in my chest that finds my lips kissing her hair. “I believe you could save me too, Babygirl.”
I feel her softly gasp, stirring against me, and my warm body, rising with heat. I still feel tethered to her; don’t think I’ll ever stop.
“Is it just me,” she mutters against my chest, “or is there something special between us?”
She won’t look at me. She’s shy, but that was a brave question, and I won’t leave her alone in the feeling. “There’s everything between us, Alena.” Secrets. Family. Threats.Love.“And together, we’ll figure out what it is. We’ll go slow. Okay?”
“Okay.” She pulls away, cheeks flushed. “I’ll be out in a minute.”
Fluffing my pillows, I give the boxes under my bed, hiding my gear, an extra kick.
Mutt paces the room, excited for our date.
“Settle down,” I whisper to him. “Don’t freak out your future mom. Okay? Chill.”
