I barely manage a grunt in response, clenching and unclenching my fist, coaxing my beast into settling down.Can’t shift right now, or Amara could get hurt.As soon as the mental image registers, he backs off immediately, the scales receding from my skin. The bloodlust is here to stay, though, a simmering rage just beneath the surface that gets harder to fight with every day that passes without eliminating the threat circling our mate.
Thankfully, Amara’s still passed out in the backseat beside Stone. I swear, she’s a better person than I could ever hope to be. Every time she finds a shred of joy, this bastard is there waiting to snatch it out from beneath her. She may have escaped him, but I’m convinced it was only because he allowed it. Someone as fucked up as this likely gets off on tormenting her more than actually having her under his thumb.
Stone’s jaw tics as he unbuckles his seatbelt. “She shouldn’t see this.”
“We can’t keep secrets from her,” I snarl, doing my best to keep my voice down.
Raiden rubs two fingers against his temple. “She’s already been having trouble sleeping, and the last incident dragged old wounds to the surface. It’s a testament to her strength that she can keep taking so many hits and still find the ability to smile.”
He glances over his shoulder at our sleeping mate, a storm raging in his eyes, yet otherwise appearing perfectly calm and in control. Only when there’s no risk of anyone watching does he lose the political mask, never wanting to give away any information that our enemies could hone in on and exploit. How he hasn’t gone completely fucking mad playing those bullshit games with all of the assholes he deals with, I’ll never understand.
A swift punch to the throat is more effective getting your point across, in my opinion.
“Kodi, keep her busy for a few hours.” I barely even have my mouth open to bite his head off before Raiden’s lifting a hand to shut me up. “We’ll tell her about it, but give Stone and I time to get this mess cleaned up first so she won’t have to see it, at least. She has enough nightmares to deal with already.”
Nodding in agreement, I resituate myself in the driver’s seat as he follows Stone’s lead, climbing out and shutting the door softly behind him. It shouldn’t be too bad; gather whatever bodies they can wrestle away from Avery’s evil clutches for an impromptu bonfire, and hose everything down until the water runs clear, but I’m thrilled not to have to deal with it.
Honestly, even if Raiden had ordered it, I’m not sure I’d have been able to stay behind while one of them drove off with Amara. Tremors have me tightening my grip on the wheel just thinking about having her out of my sight right now. Stealing a glance at her in the rearview mirror, I force myself to keep my shit together. I can’t risk getting into a wreck with precious cargo, and it would gut me if she caught a glimpse of me right now and flinched away in fear.
I can make fun of Raiden until I’m blue in the face, but clearly the guy is onto something with that meditation nonsense.
Deep breath through the nose, slow exhale from the mouth. Again, then once more. By the time we’re several blocks away from the house, the urge to raze the city to the fucking ground has subsided, and all of my fury is a concentrated point in my mind instead of all-consuming. Now all I need is an outlet to unleash it on, and I’ll be good as new.
Maybe tonight I’ll swing by the warehouse and see if there’s a fight going down. Beating the shit out of someone always makes me feel better, and I can put out some feelers to see if anyone’s seen a new shifter in town that matches this fuckface’s description.
A soft groan has me flicking my gaze to the mirror, and my remaining rage fizzles out. Stone may hate himself for the part he played in the demons’ downfall, but if it were me? Even knowing how it would turn out, I’d sign my soul over in a heartbeat. We might be damned, but having Amara in our lives proves that we’re not as cursed as my brother has always believed.
“We’re not home yet?” Her question is distorted by her yawn, and my chest tightens with painful longing at her casual use of the word. Almost as if the closer I get to having everything I’ve ever dreamed of become reality, the more terrifying the idea of actually having it becomes. “Wait, where are the others?”
“I may know how to share nicely, but I’m far from perfect, gorgeous. Today was supposed to be my date day with you, remember? Group playtime is over, so I kicked them to the curb; hardly even slowed down. They cried a little, but I’m not so easily manipulated and held strong so you could have a break from them breathing down your neck.”
She rolls her eyes, but there’s a lightness in her tone that gives her amusement away. “You couldn’t let me shower first?”
Triple checking the intersection, I pull a swift U-turn. If I’d left a message like Malcolm’s, I’d have been watching to see how it was received. It’ll be easier to see if I have a tail with some less-than-legal maneuvers.
“What’s the point? I’m just going to get you hot and bothered again. I mean, sweaty.”
She snorts. “Smooth. At least you won’t need to worry about someone trying to steal your date away from you.”
Without looking away from the road, I flip open the center console and rummage around for a minute before tossing a spray can over my shoulder. “Here ya go, this stuff overpowers damn near everything.”
Giving herself a once over, she sneezes, passing it back. “Perfect, I smell like a hot guy that doesn’t shower after the gym. Not sure how you’ll be able to resist my charms now; may as well consider yourself thoroughly seduced.”
“Now you’re getting with the program.” Confident that we’re not being followed, I pull into the parking lot, hopping out quickly so I can open her door with a flourish. “Milady.”
Shaking her head in amusement and chuckling, she slides to her feet. Her smile falls a bit as she takes in the black painted brick, windowless building. “What is this place?”
“Goodmeads.”
Reading the smaller sign beneath it, she shoots me a skeptical look. “Enter at your own risk? That’s not foreboding or anything.” Still, she doesn’t inch away like she would have just a week or two ago.
Much to my chagrin, I’m careful not to touch her, motioning with a sweep of my hand for her to fall into step beside me. “You need thick skin to deal with some of the assholes that frequent this place, but it’s worth it, you’ll see.”
I shove open the set of heavy double doors, the wood intentionally weathered to give it an ancient air like something out of a fantasy tavern. The chaotic din is overwhelming at first, but is swiftly knocked down to a reasonable level when one of the bouncers intervenes between two tables. Threatening the ban hammer has an instantaneous effect, everyone promptly backing down and grumbling a couple more insults under their breath.
As a few nearby tables turn to look at us, she takes a subconscious step closer. “It’s a book bar?”
Following her line of sight across the massively open space to the far wall with floor to ceiling shelves, I shake my head. “Not quite. Offers a place for people to meet up for card or board games, those that just want to kick back after work with a book and a stiff drink, and a small dance floor.” I hitch my thumb to the right, past the booths where a handful of people are openly flirting and grinding against each other, but it’s not overly crowded yet.
