16. CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 16
Even as they made their way to the cells, Glyn felt the guilt roiling off of his mate. Not entirely certain how to comfort him, Glyn stuck close, but he couldn’t help but sense that the closer they got to the cells, the more agitated Cayman got.
He damn well knew it was due to Glyn being there. Not about to put his mate in more danger than Cayman needed to be, he turned to Yosi, when they stopped on what he assumed was the cell floor instead of on the stairs.
“Do you promise the cells are filled with cameras?” he demanded more than asked.
He didn’t know for certain, but he sensed Yosi’s desire to help put him at ease as he nodded non-stop and said, “I swear. There is no one who can possibly hurt Cayman, much less kill him. And, you can come with me and watch everything.”
The thing was he had no idea why but Glyn trusted Yosi’s voice, which he wasn’t quite certain he should. But a reassuring hand on his arm as they descended the last of the stairs had him believing he could. “I promise every inch of this floor is covered by a camera and…” he pointed to an armed guard at the end of the hallway and next to where they came out of the stairwell. “There are men stationed to kill anyone threatening to kill one of ours.”
That was the first time Glyn actually relied on someone else with his mate’s life. Okay, yeah, technically, he hadn’t had that luxury until that moment but he also sank in the sensation of Cayman’s complete and utter trust.
He might hate to allow Cayman to do this without him by his side, but Glyn also knew there was no way in hell the prisoner would confess anything with him, or probably anyone, there. Not because of who Glyn was, but because he wouldn’t necessarily trust someone other than Cayman.
Hell, he already assumed Cayman had no fucking clue what he was doing, yet at the same time believed in his mate’s ability to get this guy talking. If any of them were right, and he assumed they all trusted Cayman, it still was a huge assumption his mate would get this asshole to talk.
Where that put them…? Fuck if Glyn knew.
“Stop,” Chadwick growled out behind him. They all stopped before they entered the stairwell that would take them to the cells below. It wasn’t the only level from what Cayman had told him, but it held some of the worst evil…
Glyn shook his head. No. He just couldn’t imagine. Right? No. No way.
“I promise there is no way he will be able to get to Cayman.” That was Kylo, Yosi’s mate. Somehow, Glyn trusted him more than anyone else.
His mate seemed to understand what he was thinking and Cayman turned to pull Glyn into his arms. “I love you,” Cayman murmured. “I swear I’ll come back to you.”
Did he trust that? Oddly enough he had.
There shouldn’t have been a chance in hell that should have reassured him but it had. Holding Cayman tightly, Glyn nodded against his shoulder.
“Please don’t disappoint me.” Even though he hated how fragile his voice sounded, Glyn damn well knew there was no denying his fear. “I need you.”
Was it wrong to make his mate feel guilty? Fuck yes. Was he going to feel better? No. Even though he wished like hell that he didn’t make it worse for Cayman, it was impossible to ignore his feelings.
“I love you.” One of Cayman’s large hands cupped the side of his head just before their foreheads touched. “I won’t leave you.”
“I know.” Even as he said it, he knew it was true. It made Glyn ashamed for not showing his mate what he had actually felt and was determined to be there for him.
Like, seriously ? How had he allowed the one person he loved beyond…well anything…feel as if he had to be a certain way in order for Glyn to love him? He was such an asshole.
Touching Cayman’s shoulder, he leaned in for another kiss. “I swear I will be here waiting for you.”
He meant every word.
Those strong hands that he loved cupped his face as Cayman prolonged the kiss. “I love you too, babe,” his mate said when they broke apart.
“I swear I’ll come back to you,” Cayman said levitating Glyn’s heart.
It meant the world to him. It did. That said, Glyn also knew if Cayman and the Council didn’t find a way to stop those responsible for capturing shifters, like those who had taken and sold him, he wouldn’t have survived.
He hated that thought, but it was true.
There was no other reason to live than his mate. Still…He also knew the harsh realities of the world. Life wasn’t all one hoped for. At least that was what he’d thought before finding Cayman.
“I love you so damn much,” Glyn said.
There was regret in Cayman’s eyes that he wasn’t able to do more to comfort his mate. He pressed their mouths together for a long, hard moment. “I love you too.”
Even as he said the words, Glyn’s heart soared.
Cayman’s hand went to his chest as if it physically ached. “I hate that I’m hurting you.”
Glyn’s hand covered Cayman’s over his heart. “Never,” he promised. “You could never hurt me, love.”
Cayman didn’t look convinced. “I didn’t…”
Before he finished, Glyn placed a hand over his mouth. “Stop. I get you had nothing to do with any of this.”
“I know.” The relief in Cayman’s voice was prevalent as he sank against Glyn’s body. “I love you.”
Just hearing those words from his mate helped. It wasn’t all he needed, but it was enough. Because if he lost Cayman his world would be shattered. In a perfect he would never leave. “I love you too.” Yeah he admitted and meant each word.
Pressing their lips together for several moments, he reluctantly pulled back. “I swear, I’m good.”
If only it was, he could have his mate by side every day for the rest of their lives. But he damn well knew his mate needed to help others. Needed to go out there and bring those who had been like Glyn, home.
It killed Glyn to know that, but he also knew why.
If it was up to him, all shifters would be safe and find their mate. Like him. That made him luckier than most people he knew.
A smile Glyn hadn’t had for quite some time, formed. Then again, since meeting Cayman, he found himself smiling more. Glyn was slowly finding his old self again. He hoped his feisty personality would return in full force one day.
The past, being what it was, didn’t make him hopeful.