I really hoped I wasn’t giving horrible advice. God knew all the advice I attempted to beat into Dereck’s brain hadn’t worked.
But it wasn’t like he’d actually listened.
Hell, most of the time he’d run out and done the opposite.
Elena nodded frantically as if she were trying to draw the faith I had in her deep down into her spirit before she suddenly threw herself at me.
For a second I was shocked, then I gave into the embrace.
Let her hug me so zealously I thought she might squeeze the life out of me.
Eager gratefulness rolled out with her words. “I won’t, Brinley. I promise, I won’t.”
I hugged her back with as much fervor. “Just be careful doing it, okay?”
I tacked on the last because I couldn’t stand the thought that she might run out and do something reckless.
Because it wasn’t about taking unnecessary risks. It was about taking the ones that meant something.
I guess maybe it was time I started to listen to my own advice.
“How will I know?” she asked. Desperation poured out of her.
I curled my arms even tighter and whispered, “Your heart will know.”
She nodded in my hold, both of us hugging the crap out of each other before we broke apart when we heard a throat clearing from the doorway.
Caught off guard, Elena whipped around.
I guess I wasn’t so shocked to find Silas there, leaning against the jamb like the crooked king that he was, a paper bag dangling from a big hand.
Maybe somewhere deep inside myself, I’d felt him coming.
A shockwave that blasted my senses.
“What the hell, Silas?” Elena hissed. “That was mean, sneaking up on us like that.”
The arch of his brow nearly touched his hairline. “You’re in my room.”
Elena sent him a scowl. “Well, this is where Brinley is.”
I guess it was probably that second he noticed that she’d been crying, because his bare irritation flipped.
In a beat, his features were gripped by dread and worry.
An instant ball of simmering rage. His eyes darted to me.
Demanding to know what was going on.
If I was the one who was responsible for it.
Without a doubt, if he disliked me before, he’d hate me if I’d harmed her in some way.
I’d end up on the chopping block out back. I imagined there had to be some sort of torture chamber on the property.
You’ll have to find a better reason to off me, buddy.
Because I really wanted to wrap Elena up and protect her, too.
