48
We spentthe remainder of the afternoon sitting around Liam’s house, discussing everything but the duel. Even Greg stayed. Under Matt’s curious gaze, the pack doctor distilled Sillin into three little vials, then aligned and realigned them in hiscooler.
After I’d shifted back into skin, Liam made me take a shower in his house, and then he told me to stay away from August. “In case the Creeks aren’t aware he’s yourmate.”
When he suggested August leave and meet us at the former Pine HQ, my mate glared and muttered, “Likehell.”
So he’d stayed too, alternately clutching the armrest of the couch, glowering at the woods outside, and pacing the lawn while barking on hisphone.
About an hour before we had to leave, Liam got a message that made him speak my name very loudly even though I was sitting a couple feet away from him. “Avery.”
He pushed his phone into myhands.
AVERY:Sarah just arrived at her family’s former HQ with Alex Morgan. I haven’t been able to get her alone, but thought you’d want to know she was here. She looks a little spooked. Hope Alex hasn’t hurther.
Spooked? Sarah wasn’t the type of girl who spooked easily, so Avery stating this had my hackles rising. “She’s alive,” I said, handing the phone to Lucas who’d stiffened at the mention of Avery’s name, “but if you don’t kill Alex Morgan tonight, Iwill.”
Either Lucas read the message slowly, or he read it a few times, because he scrutinized the screen a longtime.
My hatred fueled my mounting adrenaline. By the time Liam rose from the couch and announced that it was time, I was extremely ready to get outthere.
“Ready when you are, boss,” Lucas said, jingling Liam’s carkeys.
Liam nodded to his black SUV. “Ness, you ride withus.”
I didn’t care who I rode with as long as they got me there fast so I could ascertain that my friend was truly all right. I opened the door to the backseat and got in. Instead of getting in the front, Liam climbed in the back withme.
When August opened the passenger side door, Liam said, “Not a good idea,Watt.”
“I won’t touchher.”
Liam narrowed his eyes. “Do you want the Creeks to make you leave the duelingring?”
Heat erupted behind my navel as August’s gaze found mine. Even though it seemed to take everything within him to back away, he heeded Liam’s words and headed to Cole’s car withGreg.
Matt hopped up front, and then Lucas careened down the driveway. I watched the dark world unfurl past my window. At some point, I asked Matt to shut off the AC. My bones were so cold I thought they might not thaw out in time for theduel.
“Did you speak to Tamara today?” I asked Liam as a beat-heavy song came to an end and anotherbegan.
He glanced away from his window. “I sent her amessage.”
“Does she know what’s happeningtonight?”
“I told her I’d call her later. And that if I didn’t, the pack would take care ofher.”
My breathingstuttered.
Liam leaned over and patted my knee. “I’ll be calling herlater.”
I tried to return his smile but couldn’t. I went back to staring at the stars blooming like baby’s-breath in the purpling sky. I wondered if my parents were somewhere among them, watching over me, but that line of thinking turned even more painful than contemplating theduel.
As we drove, Liam went through the rules again. They’d been drilled so many times inside my skull that I knew them by heart. Still, I paidattention.
“Your main purpose is to referee the fight, not to get involved. When you inspect Cassandra tonight, don’t linger on her lips or nails. We’re not looking at calling her out on foul play. If Justin attacks youorme, you’re allowed to strikeback.”
“And if Cassandra attacksme?”
His expression became more cutting than a knife point. “If Cassandra attacks you, she’ll regret it for the rest of her very shortlife.”
