“One of your possessions.”
He scowled. “What?”
“You heard me. You came after me because I’m yours and I carry your baby. Not because you?—”
He put two fingers over Starry’s mouth, his gut twisting. “Not true. But I will discuss this with you at home.” He glanced pointedly at Hamish and Reed.
Starry did have the good grace to flush. “Okay.” He sighed, sitting back against the seat instead of leaning on Des.
Shit. Starry wasn’t mad at him. He was grieving.
Looked like in trying to keep Starry safe, he’d really fucked up.
Now he would have to try to fix it.
Chapter
Five
Des looked… angry.
That was an emotion, at least. He would take it. Then again, Alistair had no idea whether Des was mad at him or just furious that he’d been stolen.
He just hadn’t been able to resist himself with the jab at Des. He’d needed to know that Des cared. About him, not just the clan.
He still wasn’t sure where he stood.
They were back in their own living room now, their high rise so much more… homey than the hotel. Hamish was gone, so it was just them, and Des was sitting in his big leather easy chair, legs out in front of him, a glass of bourbon in hand.
He sipped a cup of peppermint tea to settle his stomach and waited.
“So.” Des raised a brow, but his expression unchanging otherwise. “All of that time we spent together. All that love we made. It meant nothing?”
“Not when you stopped coming home.” He held his own, also holding that laser stare.
“I was protecting you.” That came out so quietly he almost missed it. “I couldn’t let the Galandels know how important you are to me.”
“You could have told me.”
“No.” Des shook his head, then tossed back his bourbon. “If they captured you, it would go easier for you if you were angry at me.”
“Well, I was. And I worried you wouldn’t come.”
“Did you?”
Guilt assailed him. “No. I never worried about that. I just knew you needed to know where I was.”
“I would have killed anyone who hurt you, Starry. I died a little while you were gone.” The stark despair in Des’s gaze made him tear up.
“Love.” He hoisted his ass off the couch and went to Des, holding out his arms.
Des opened his and let Alistair sink down on his lap. “God, Starry. I was so fucking scared.”
“It didn’t show.” He nuzzled Des’s neck. There was no denying the real emotion that pressed against him, Des’s love for him like a beacon.
“And you did an amazing job getting that collar off. I’m so proud.”
“I am too.” He laughed, then hiccupped as he started crying.
