Love Bites

Chapter 17

Today is the day. I’m going home.

Clutching my meagre belongings to my chest, I walk through the unit and down the stairs of the halfway house, aware of several sets of eyes on me as I go. Honestly, I’m in a bit of a daze and have mixed feelings on everything. Half of me expects Dorine to jump out and shout, “Surprise!” and that all of this is a cruel joke, but the closer I get to the exit, to my freedom, the more excitement zips through my body, powering me forward.

When the news came, it was via a guard knocking on my door. He passed me a sealed envelope and told me I had thirty minutes to get myself ready. Inside the envelope were my release papers and a letter stating that due to new information, they realised I was innocent in the flying incident and as such, I was going to be released.

Everything has happened so quickly that it doesn’t feel real, like I’m in a dream. I was only given enough time to throw on some clothes and grab my blanket and a few other personal items before running straight to find Tracey. Our goodbye was quick and emotional. Well, I got emotional, Tracey just looked at me strangely.

I’m overjoyed to go home and see Tina again, not to mention spending quality time with my mates and rebuilding my life, but knowing the reason that I’m being released is because Gabriel confessed that he abducted me makes it bittersweet.

Worry swirls in my gut like a hurricane, making me sick with fear—not for me, but for Gabriel. I’m scared for him, for what his life is about to become. I saw him last night when he told me his plans, but despite scouring the centre for him after I spoke with Tracey, I’ve found no trace of him this morning.

He must have gone straight to see the guards after our conversation, as none of the others he usually spends time with have a clue what’s going on. No one seems to have seen him since last night. Have they already taken him away? Although I knew this was a possibility, and we said our goodbyes, the deep sadness in me is all consuming, threatening to overshadow the happiness of being released.

Entering the reception area, I check in with the receptionist and am let through the electric doors into the security processing area. Here, I’m trapped between two locked doors, with the centre behind me and freedom ahead. Placing my belongings on the provided table, I step back and allow the security guards to inspect them all.

“Emmy!” Tina calls out from the other side of the security barrier, and I spin to see her waving at me from the entrance, her smile wide.

Just seeing her makes my heart happy, my own smile growing. Although I can’t see them, I already know Zane and Jack are here, as I can feel them thanks to the bond. Suddenly impatient, I take a step towards security so they can frisk me down. The guard does the job quickly, and then he gestures for me to go to the window where a secretary awaits with my paperwork. It feels as though it takes forever as we go through the conditions of my parole, but I say nothing, because I know how important all these details are. The last thing I want is to be dragged back here because I accidently forgot to attend a meeting.

“Emily.”

There’s only one person who has an accent like that and calls me Emily.

My back stiffens, and my breath gets caught in my throat. Dizzy with the sudden wave of overwhelming happiness and concern, I immediately spin, my eyes locking on Gabriel. My initial joy at getting to see him before I leave is replaced with a nauseating powerlessness. His hands are bound behind him, and he’s being led away by several guards, all of which are watching him warily. At least, they are trying to lead him away, but he’s frozen in place, staring at me from the other side of the barrier.

“Gabriel,” I gasp. I hadn’t realised how much I needed to see him and make sure he was okay, but I thought that I’d missed out and he’d already been taken away. With the opportunity to see him now, though, it makes me hesitate. Am I really doing the right thing?

The timing of his removal and my release seems suspicious. They are bringing him through the main reception at the exact moment I’m locked between two barriers. I don’t have the capacity to think about the guards’ tricks right now. There’s a tingle in my chest, and my whole body feels restless, needing to do something. If only I knew what that something was. Without realising what I’m doing, I take a step towards him.

“Stop. Do not get any closer to him,” the security guard barks, making me jump.

Glancing at him, I plead, “Please, just give me a moment to talk to him and say goodbye.” I take another step forward until I’m close enough to touch the barrier.

Surely the guard would understand this and give me a second with Gabriel. It’s such a simple request, even the most cold-hearted person wouldn’t deny it, right?

“Stay exactly where you are or face punishment,” he barks again, snarling as his hand goes to the baton strapped to his belt. “It would be a shame for your release to be pushed back because of something so small.”

Shocked by the violence in the guard’s eyes, I drop my wandering hand. If I don’t listen to them and get thrown back into the halfway house, then Gabriel’s sacrifice would be for nothing. Anger courses through me, my hands balling into fists at my sides.

“Emmy, they are trying to get you to lash out,” Jack calls from the entrance, his voice calm and steady, even though I can feel his irritation at the situation I’ve been put in. “Don’t rise to it.”

That’s easier said than done as I watch six guards manhandle Gabriel, roughly dragging him from the reception area.

“Emily!” he shouts, his voice muffled as he fights against the guards.

I feel so fucking trapped as I watch him get hauled away, unable to do anything to help him. Even so, I can’t help but call out his name. It’s full of pain, and I fear I might never see him again. “Gabriel!”

“Remember what I told you, little one.”

I can’t see him anymore, but his voice still reaches me loud and clear. It only takes me a second to figure out what he’s referring to. He could be talking about many of our conversations. He didn’t specify when, only that I must remember.

I love you. That’s what he told me.

“Your paperwork is complete. You may now leave,” the receptionist calls, trying to get my attention now that things have been deescalated.

Thanks to the burning in my throat, I don’t say anything, simply picking up my belongings and paperwork and waiting by the gate to be released. I need to try and enjoy today for Tina and my mates, if not myself. Gabriel sacrificed a lot for this, so I owe it to him to make the most of my freedom. With that in mind, I take a deep inhale, roll my shoulders back, and shake out my curls, a smile plastered on my face as the gate swings open and I’m face-to-face with Tina.

It doesn’t surprise me that she shoved her way to the front, not caring that my mates are straining to be with me. Best friends come before boyfriends, after all. Throwing her arms around me, she knocks me back with the force of her hug. Chuckling, I embrace her. Just the two of us being like this helps soothe the ache in my chest after Gabriel was taken away.

“I missed you so fucking much,” she murmurs, her hug becoming impossibly tight and showing no signs of ending soon. “It hasn’t been the same without you, sister.”

Hearing her say how much she missed me only brings up feelings of guilt, love, and appreciation. I don’t know what I did to have someone as amazing as her as my best friend, and if she keeps talking like this, then I’m going to start crying, and I might not be able to stop.

Looking over her shoulder, I see that Zane is practically shaking as he tries to hold himself back, his eyes almost completely black with his need for me. Looking at my handsome officer mate, I see he doesn’t seem to be faring much better. Seeing them like this, so desperate for me and so freaking close, flips a switch in me. All I can think about is them, their touch, their taste, and their smell.

“I missed you too, Tina,” I murmur into her hair, squeezing her tightly, “but if you don’t release me soon, my mates might tear you away from me.” Pulling back far enough to see her face, I smirk so she knows I’m joking. “They are usually pretty well trained, but it’s been a while.”

“Oh, oops.” She smiles sheepishly and gives them a little wave as she steps back, allowing them to get past her. Looking the epitome of innocence, she bats her eyelashes, but I know this is all an act. She’s an expert at getting what she wants.

Zane moves before she even finishes retreating and is pressed against me in the blink of an eye, holding me close while burying his nose in the crook of my neck. I hadn’t realised how important a personal scent was in relationships, but as a supernatural being, I’ve come to learn how comforting it is when you’re surrounded by the scents of your loved ones. Having his scent wrapped around me awakens all sorts of feelings within me.

Scenting my desire, he hums against my throat. “Do you think they would frown upon us if I fucked you right here?”

My thighs clench together at his dirty word, and it’s only the small, paranoid part of my brain that’s worried it would get me thrown back in custody that stops me from agreeing. Chuckling, I grip onto him tighter despite my words. “I don’t think Tina or any of the guards would appreciate it.”

“What about me?” Jack calls, his voice close, a trace of amusement telling me he’s not annoyed at being the last to greet me.

Pulling back from Zane, I turn to my officer mate, my smile wide. “Well, you’d be part of the orgy of course.”

Laughing, he pulls me into his arms, his muscles flexing around me as he holds me close.

The journey back to the apartment passes in a blur, and I barely remember it. As it turns out, the halfway house is only a couple of blocks away from where we live, so it’s easy enough to walk back.

The wind is in my hair, the sounds of the city surround us, and the feel of Jack’s and Zane’s hands in mine are comforting. We get a couple of odd looks from passers-by, but none of us care. We’ve been separated for too long, and we won’t let some prudish looks stop us from enjoying each other’s company.

Climbing up the stairs of the apartment building, I watch as Tina hurries ahead of us, keys rattling in her hands as she chatters away. I’m not paying attention to what she’s saying, focusing more on the weight of the hands holding mine.

She waits for me to reach the little landing outside our apartment, practically bouncing with excitement. The space is too small for the four of us, but we wait patiently for her to unlock the door before throwing it open with flare.

“Welcome home!” she shouts, blowing a party blower that she pulls from her bag.

Knowing she’s been walking around with a party blower in her bag all day almost makes me crack up. It’s a very Tina thing to do, and to be fair, I would probably do the same for her. I look around the living room, my breath catching in my throat. Banners are strung around the room in my favourite colours of purple and blue, and my favourite chocolate cake waits on the dining table.

“You didn’t have to do this.” I meet her eyes as I gesture towards the decorations, my voice a little higher than usual thanks to the emotion I’m trying to hold back.

She rolls her eyes and steps forward, pulling me into her arms. “It’s just a caterpillar cake and a couple of cheap banners.”

It might be only that to some, but for me, it’s about the effort she put into it that makes all the difference. She thought of me and wanted to do something to celebrate my homecoming. While she might be shrugging off what she did, she’s clearly pleased at my reaction. Ever since we left care at eighteen, we’ve been tied at the hip, and this is the longest I’ve ever been away from her, so this is a huge deal for us. Our family is together again.

“Even so, I love it.” I take in the change in her expression, her smile dropping and face becoming tight. I recognise that face. Something happened that she doesn’t want to tell me about, and she’s attempting to stay calm. If I want to get any answers from her, I need to stay calm and not freak out, otherwise it will just cause her to clam up.

“What?” I ask, my voice tight despite my intentions of keeping my tone soft and not jumping to conclusions. Clearing my throat, I try again. “What happened?”

She grimaces and wrings her hands together anxiously. “I’m so sorry, Emmy, but collecting you took longer than I thought, and I have to go to work. They called me in last minute, and I agreed, thinking I’d still have time to celebrate with you.”

When Tina gets into her stress mode, she babbles, her words coming so fast you almost can’t tell what she’s saying. The only way to break her from it is to cut her off, otherwise she will continue to spiral.

“Tina, don’t worry.” Smiling, I place my hand on her arm. “It’s fine, go to work. I’ll still be here when you get back.”

Honestly, I’m pretty relieved this is the news she had to tell me. Besides, I’m a little overwhelmed, and spending some quiet quality time with my mates sounds like the perfect way to wind down. Of course I would enjoy any celebrations and participate fully, but now I can rest beforehand.

Tina smiles at me in relief, her eyes glinting as she tears up. We’re both very emotional today, and I think with everything that’s happened, that’s okay.

“I can’t guarantee the survival of this cake though,” Zane comments dryly, his eyes locked on said cake. I’m pretty sure Zane doesn’t eat cake and is just trying to lighten the mood so there are no more tears. Thankfully, it works.

Laughing, she jabs a finger against his chest. “There better be some left when I get back. I’m not afraid to go up against a vampire. I’ve got some holy water stashed away somewhere.”

Zane cracks a smile while the rest of us laugh, and I watch as she runs around the apartment like a whirlwind, getting ready for work. She continues to chatter as she rushes around. It’s mostly just gossip, but I pay attention, having missed this. Dressed and ready within four minutes, she runs over and kisses me on the cheek then points threateningly at the guys.

“Look after her, or you have to answer to me.”

I certainly wouldn’t want to mess with her, and both my mates straighten where they stand. Zane raises an eyebrow at the tiny woman but slowly smirks and nods his head.

“Yes, ma’am,” Jack answers seriously in his typical fashion, yet I can see a sparkle of humour in his eyes, showing that he knows Tina is semi-joking.

Satisfied, she grabs her bag and waves as she bustles out the front door.