“Do you really need to ask?”
“How about with Evan on your shoulder?”
I balk, while Jericho just turns a wicked eye on me.
“Don’t you da—Jericho!”
I smack his ass as he hoists me over his shoulder, taking off through the trees like a bat out of hell.
“You’re going to pay for this!”
He just laughs and keeps running with Rowen and Ivy close on his heels.
As much as I hate being thrown around like a sack of potatoes, it also makes me grin. This is definitely the Jericho I’ve missed the most, the one who surprises me at every turn and makes me laugh at the stupidest stuff. I was afraid I’d lost him, even before he disappeared. He was pulling away months before leaving, yet I never noticed until it was too late.
It’s a relief to know he’s still here.
We get to the house a few seconds before Rowen, and Jericho carefully sets me down, his green eyes flickering—alive. I smack his arm. “Asshole.”
He loops an arm around my neck to pull me in, ruffling my hair like a child. I pinch his side, twisting to get away. Jericho loosens his hold but doesn’t let me go. As I straighten, his gaze suddenly drops to my lips, and without hesitation, he leans in.
My heart takes off running, but then he freezes and his face pales before he turns and disappears around the corner without saying a word.
I stare after him in a daze. Oh… my God. Jericho was about to kiss me! He had been literal seconds away from sealing our lips together, and I have no idea what I would have done about it. Would I have stopped him? Shoved him away?
Or would I have kissed him back?
I touch my lips, considering, feeling lighter than I ever have before. Everything about this afternoon had been what I needed. What we both needed. Jericho is the same guy as before. He’s still my best friend, but… maybe he’s also something more.
I think I really do want him.
“Do you still want that gun?”
I jump at Grant’s voice. “Uh, yeah. Definitely.”
“Come with me.”
15
EVAN
Grant leads me to an office in the back of the house, where Forest is seated in front of a computer.
“Oh, sorry, Alpha. Didn’t know you would be in here.”
“You’re fine. Just paying bills. Nothing too exciting.” He clicks the mouse a couple of times before closing the laptop. “Did you need something?”
Grant walks to a closet on the side of the room, revealing a safe hidden within. “Evan asked for a gun, as a way to protect himself. I thought since they’re helping us…” He trails off, spinning the dial on the safe.
Forest doesn’t hesitate. “Absolutely. I’ve had the same thought. Have you had any training?”
“Yes. I’ve taken some advanced courses, including some supernatural classes.”
“Good. I’m glad to hear it.”
Grant pulls out a large, black box and turns to me. “Are you familiar with Irocept bullets?”
I can’t hide my surprise. “They talked about those in my classes, but I’ve never seen them. They slow down vampires and fae, right?”
