Brynleigh glanced at the clock and frowned. “Jelisette is expecting me.”
“I know.” Ryker stepped towards her, lifting a hand as though totouch her before dropping it back to his side. “After you meet with Jelisette, I want you to go to my apartment.”
It took a few heartbeats for his words to register, and when they did, Brynleigh blinked. After everything she’d done, she’d never thought she would be welcome at his home.
“Are you sure?” she asked before she could stop herself.
“Yes. I’ll meet you there as soon as I can.” Ryker yanked open a drawer, grabbed a slip of paper, and scribbled a code on it. “The apartment is warded, but this will turn off the alarms. Make yourself at home. I’ll have someone bring your suitcase over tomorrow.”
A broken part of Brynleigh’s soul repaired itself at his words.
“Thank you, Ryker.” She couldn’t express how much this meant to her. “I… thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He handed her the paper, and his fingers tightened around hers. “Shadow in as soon as you’re done, and don’t go anywhere else. The rebels might attack again, and I don’t want you near them.”
Because he cared about her.
Her heart soared at his declaration. It didn’t care that they still had problems. All it cared about was that Ryker was holding her hand, and he wanted to keep her safe.
She glanced upstairs. “What about your dad and sister?”
“Dad’s nurse Megan is here, and the house is guarded and warded. They’ll be alright.” Ryker released her hands, and Brynleigh instantly missed the warmth of his touch.
How had she ever survived the coldness of being a vampire before him?
The captain looked like he had more to say, but his phone started vibrating, the motion driving it off the island.
It was official. Brynleigh was ready to boycott phones forever.
“Fuck.” Ryker grabbed the device, pressing a few buttons before shoving it into his pocket. “I’m out of time. The army doesn’t wait for anyone.”
Until that moment, Brynleigh hadn’t fully understood Ryker’s job.
Most people ran from danger, but he was heading straight towardsit. He was a powerful fae, as were his team members, but still. She knew how quickly a situation could turn dangerous.
Worry gnawed at her heart, propelling her forward. She folded her fingers around his and gazed into his captivating eyes.
There were so many things she wanted to say, so many conversations they still needed to have, and yet, all she could manage was to softly say, “Be safe, Ryker.”
Before Brynleigh could lose her nerve, she lifted her chin and closed the distance between them.
Resting one hand flat on Ryker’s chest, right above his beating heart, she inhaled his stormy scent and brushed her lips over his cheek. It was barely a touch and didn’t count as a kiss, but neither her body nor her heart received that message. His rough stubble tickled her lips, her mouth tingled, and her heart soared.
She murmured, “I’ll miss you.”
His head dipped, and he brushed his thumb over her bottom lip.
The air between them thickened, and his breath warmed her lips. “I?—”
Bang, bang, bang.
“By the Sands,” Ryker cursed, stepping back. He raised his voice. “I’m coming!” His chest heaved as he looked at her. “I’m sorry.”
She flexed her fingers before placing them over her own racing heart. “I’m… I’ll see you when you get back.”
And then, they would fix things. That was the only acceptable option.
Ryker’s gaze searched hers for a long moment before he nodded. He was halfway to the front door when he paused and glanced over his shoulder.
