Chapter 21
Cameron
“Have I mentioned I don’t like surprises?” Ronan tries not to let his amusement show as he leads me along the main path. Everything here is becoming familiar, and despite knowing we’ll have to leave soon, part of me has gotten attached.
Me.
The man who has rarely settled in one spot for more than a week is trying to figure out how we could stay.
“Well, you’re out of luck, because I have two.”
“Two?!” I wail with all the melodramatics I can summon, because he knows it’s a performance. A few nights ago, I shared a few stories about the times my mom surprised me as a child. It was never anything major—couldn’t be, with our isolated community—but she found ways to make me feel special.
And sure, I’ve had a few surprises since I’ve been on my own.
There was the time a group of scavengers discovered my stash of food when I was sleeping, tied to a branch in the tree above them. I was happy that they didn’t spot me, but there’s nothing exciting about, “Surprise! You’re in the wilderness with only a handful of nuts!”
Then there was the wildcat that claimed the rabbit I had trapped. It stared at me with its tail flickering, daring me to fight it for my dinner. I didn’t, if the question needed to be asked. I just flipped it my middle finger as it bit the head off and destroyed my rope.
Oh, and the berries that had me curled up in the fetal position for two days, questioning if there was enough water in the world to keep me hydrated.
We don’t talk about that, though.
Hell, I try not to even think about that.
Ronan guides me behind a building we cleared a few days ago. “Where are we going?” Not bothering to answer my question for the seventeenth time in a row, he just glances at me over his shoulder.
Wooden crates are stacked by the brick wall, and he pushes a large one aside to uncover a cellar door with iron hinges that look as old as time. “Oh, boy, a gateway to hell! Are we…” I gasp dramatically, and Ronan sighs before turning to face me, hands on his hips. “Have I been a mere human sacrifice all along?!”
“Are you done?”
“Almost, almost… I just want to go on the record and say the creepy basement wasn’t necessary to take advantage of me. A nice touch, though, even if it’s a tad unorthodox. I might’ve gone with something less… murdery, and definitely less tetanus-y, but…” I flash him an exaggerated smile and a thumbs up. “A-plus for effort!”
“Noted.” Sarcastic amusement lines his tone as he rolls his eyes, pulling the door open with a harsh shriek of metal. He descends the stone steps as though we aren’t walking straight into a serial killer’s den, so I shrug, figuring he’ll handle it if there’s someone waiting for us at the bottom.
Canned goods in dusty glass jars sit on walls of built-in shelves, and I wrinkle my nose. “Listen, I should pretend to be more excited since this is a surprise, but several years ago, I had an unfortunate incident with self-canning. It is not an experience I’m looking to repeat.”
Ronan chuckles, shaking his head. “The jars aren’t what I wanted to show you.” Deeper in the cellar, where the light barely reaches us, he grabs a small wooden box from the shelf. “These are.”
He beams with such proud, sweet satisfaction that I can’t help my smile, flipping the tiny copper latch and lifting the lid. A beat of confused silence passes before I recognize what I’m holding. “Seeds?”
Hair bouncing with the enthusiasm of his nod, Ronan gestures towards the shelf laden with dozens of boxes. “The one in your hand is tomatoes, but there are enough here to plant an amazing garden when we find our home.”
Our home.
It’s not like I didn’t realize that Ronan was including me in his plans. Hell, he sacrificed the only life he’d ever known to keep me safe. But this is the first time I’ve truly let myself believe.
That he isn’t leaving me.
That he’s here to stay.
That despite everything I’ve done wrong, and all the awful things I’ve said, he believes I’m worth the risk.
Not a mistake, or a regret… but a future. A choice .
“Are there any potatoes?” My voice is reedy and unstable, barely forming the words, and I feel Ronan’s eyes as they land on me. Lip wobbling and hands fidgeting, I stare at the white specks at the bottom of the box. “Because you know how much I love potatoes.”
“I know you do.” Carefully, he plucks the seeds from my grip and sits them on the counter before wrapping me in his arms. His fingers thread through my hair, and I nuzzle into his neck, breathing in the familiar scent.
A lifetime of fearing my jagged, broken edges would never fit, and he carves a space for me. He makes it look so fucking effortless as he creates a place for me to belong.
“I could have them every day for the rest of forever, and I’d be happy.”
“You don’t think you’ll get sick of their temper?” he asks, and I let out a watery laugh at the ridiculousness of our conversation. “Or decide you’d rather have corn someday?”
“This is a weird way to discuss feelings.”
His grin is wide as he buries his face in my hair, peppering my head with gentle kisses. “And here I thought we were talking about potatoes. I guess I have some catching up to do.”
“You mean to tell me you didn’t make the connection between root vegetables and our relationship?” I tease, and he laughs, a deep, throaty sound as he sweeps me into a long, sweet kiss. “And here I thought I was being so obvious. Don’t worry, love. I’ll need those amazing muscles of yours for both. When we dig this imaginary garden, I’ll sit back and sip on cold water while you swing a hoe with your shirt off.”
“You only want me for my body, don’t you? ”
“And your potatoes.” He laughs again, releasing me as he double checks the seeds are safely on the shelves. Faint sunlight guides our steps as I climb from the cellar, walking to the edge of the building to get out of the shadows. My face points towards the sun, enjoying its warmth on my cheeks.
A deep breath fills my lungs, a smile playing on my lips.
The sudden, earth-shaking bellow from Ronan rips through the quiet, making my hair stand on end as it rings in my ears. Nothing makes sense as I spin towards him—not the twisted agony on his face, or the way he stumbles forward, his outstretched hand reaching for me.
A flash of movement and a sharp metallic whir are followed by a sickening crack against his skull. Ronan’s eyes go fuzzy as his knees slam to the ground, revealing a man standing behind him.
“He won’t be unconscious for long,” the man shouts, eyes crazed. “Quick, run !”
I’m not even sure my feet touch the ground as I sprint towards Ronan, a horrified wail leaving my lips. Still reaching for me, he collapses face-first, his body hitting the earth with a dull thud. Crimson trickles down his shirt from the knife handle jutting out of his shoulder.
“Ronan! No, no, fuck, fuck, fuck !” My gaze is wild as it snaps up to the man, who stares back with wide, confused eyes that are full of questions. “What the fuck?! What have you done?!” I roar, yanking my shirt over my head as I crash to my knees beside Ronan.
The cloth bunches in my hands as I wrench the knife free, pressing the fabric hard against the gushing wound. Blood from my fingers streaks his skin as I lean in, patting his cheek. “Wake up… wake up, you gotta wake up. Come on, you have to wake up, Ro. Open your eyes for me.” Heart galloping in my throat, I grab his shoulder and jostle him harder, but he’s eerily still. “Come on, please ?” I whisper, fighting the fear that’s swarming in my belly.
“Why are you helping him?” The man stares at me like I’m the monster, pushing his hand through his thick black curls as I whip my gaze to his. “It won’t take long before he’s on his feet again, and he’s going to be fucking furious. We need to run and hide!” A panicked edge increases the volume and pitch of his voice. “Now! We have to go now … why aren’t you getting away from him?”
“What makes you think I’d want to leave him!?” I lean close, putting my ear to Ronan’s mouth, and catch the slow, steady sound of his breathing. Dizzy with relief, I push out a shaky sigh as I run my fingers through his hair and over his cheeks. “Who the fuck even are you?”
“R-Reyes,” he answers, shaking his head. “No, it is impossible that you are here by choice. I’ve been watching you for a week now. He’s been making you work on the solar panels and… and carry his stuff. He made you do his bidding, then locked you inside that house with him at night.”
Hands wringing in front of him, he glances around, becoming even more agitated. “I… I saw him forcing you! He threw you over his shoulder and carried you in, kicking and screaming! I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to help you. We have to get away!”
“This is my mate, you absolute chowderhead !”
Reyes’s face pales as his eyes fall to the shining mark on my arm, a certain understanding in his expression. “M-mate? But…” I glare at him, furious, but he’s now staring at Ronan’s hand, glowing gently in the shadows. “If he’s your mate, then where are the others? How did you get away, and why did you come here? This is where they stop!”
“Others? What others?” I demand, and his eyes finally snap back to mine. His entire demeanor is tense, confusion scrunching his face. Around my age or a few years older, he’s shorter and stockier, with skin that’s a rich golden brown and thick, dark stubble on his jaw.
“The others! ” he shouts, gesturing around him, and despite knowing we’re alone, my head whips in a circle to the empty space. “There are always more of you.”
“What the fuck are you even going on about!?” I yell back, right as Ronan grunts and stirs, and my entire focus turns to him, shouting match forgotten. “Hey, baby,” I whisper, holding pressure on his wound as I run my hand over his hair, pushing it out of his face. “It’s alright, Ro, I’m right here.”
Ronan twitches again, eyes fluttering underneath his closed eyelids. Pulling the makeshift bandage away, I check on the stab wound. It’s deep, but the blade didn’t hit anything major, and the bleeding is less severe than his previous injuries.
Fine … he’ll be fine.
My heart pounds like a drum against my ribs as I run my hands over his skin, trying to calm myself with the rise and fall of his breath beneath my palms. Cheeks, back, shoulders, neck, and arms, counting the beats of his pulse and checking his head where he was struck. Ugly shades of green and blue paint his skin, and a knot forms under his hair .
His eyes flutter open, and a shaky, half-hysterical laugh leaves me as they find mine. “Hey, big guy,” I whisper, and his lips lift in a weak, confused smile.
“You called me baby,” he mutters, voice slurred.
“I’d never do such a thing,” I whisper on a choked sob. Confusion furrows his brows, and he winces with the action, taking in his position on the ground.
I spot the exact moment his brain catches up to what happened.
“Ronan—” I warn, but he’s already on his feet.
A blur of motion, he charges after Reyes, who fled while I was too focused on Ronan to notice. Blood leaks from his wound, pouring in a steady stream as he runs. I curse under my breath and chase. Ronan will be devastated if he hurts this man before he realizes he was attempting to help me.
“Ronan!” I shout, right as he catches up to Reyes and throws him against the wall. “Ronan, no!” Reyes’s eyes consume his entire face. Violent tremors rack his body as Ronan looms over him, nothing more than a raging inferno of fury.
“You stabbed me,” he growls, annunciating every word. “Do you have any idea what happens to stupid humans who stab me?”
“Wait a second,” I wheeze, sprinting to catch up to him. “Just… Ronan, wait.”
“The last man who dared put a blade in my body was nearly decapitated when I drove my sword through his neck. He returned to the earth as I burned his gods-forsaken corpse back to the ashes whence he came.”
We need to discuss this drama queen business again, it would seem .
“Ronan, don’t hurt him.”
“He stabbed me.” Wide and incredulous, his eyes are solid black as he turns to look at me. “Cameron, this man stabbed me,” he repeats as he shakes Reyes. “With a knife!”
“I know he did,” I soothe as my eyes fall to the wound on his shoulder. I’m still shaky, but seeing him up on his feet and strong enough to shake Reyes like a rag doll is allowing the panic to subside. “He also knocked you in the head with a pipe,” I add, narrowing my eyes at Reyes.
“Not helping,” Reyes whines, voice jarred as Ronan continues to jostle him.
I shrug, my eyes glued to the two of them to make sure there’s no brain damage happening. “Facts are facts, my man,” I say, before turning my attention back to Ronan.
“Ronan, before you do something you’ll regret, you need to know he thought you were holding me captive. He thought he was helping by rescuing me—”
“You dare take my mate from me?!” Ronan roars, the tendons in his neck drawn tight, veins throbbing, as he hauls Reyes off the ground by his shirt. His feet dangle in the air as Ronan bares his teeth, nose to nose and positively murderous.
“Ronan, wait ! He knows something about mates!” He becomes shock-still, blood from his shoulder continuing to trickle down his torso and soak into his pants. “Damn it,” I mutter. Jeans are difficult to come by, and that pair was basically a love letter to his ass.
“He what ?” Ronan’s voice has become so deep, it’s barely more than a rumble from his chest.
“He knows something, so please don’t choke him. Today’s not the day to break another man’s neck.”
“ Another?! ” Reyes squeals.
Huh… I had no idea a man’s voice could reach such high notes.
Fascinating.
“Put the bad man down, Ro.”
“Bad man? Bad ?!” Reyes demands as his feet touch the ground. Ronan doesn’t release him, but he allows him to catch his breath, and for the first time, Reyes appears less terrified and has regained some composure. “Do you understand how many humans I’ve seen at the whims of an evil monster? How many times I’ve had to sit back and do fucking nothing while they’re mistreated? Abused? Worse ?! For once, I saw a chance to do something right. I am not a bad man.”
Hesitation creeps into Ronan’s face, the tension in his arms faltering. I walk closer, putting a gentle hand on his arm. “He’s got information we need. Why don’t we go inside and have a nice, civil conversation?”
“A conversation?” Ronan flashes his fangs as he gives Reyes a threatening smile. “That’s an excellent plan. You will tell me what I need to know, including how many of your friends are aware of our presence.”
“It’s just me,” he insists, hands in front of him with his palms out. “Little ol’ harmless me, all alone. No one else.”
“Ronan, I don’t think he’s a threat. Let’s head inside, I’ll stitch you up... again... and we can hear his story.” The contradictory nature of those statements is stark as they leave my mouth, but I hope Ronan is too distracted to notice .
“Fine,” he mumbles, the words strained. They’re clearly a concession for my benefit. “But he stays tied up while we’re… talking .”
“Stop saying it as if there’s a secret, nefarious meaning,” I scold, and he scowls at me. “You’re trying to sound like a villain, and while it’s honestly kind of adorable, it makes him think you’re actually an evil monster.”
Reyes pingpongs between us as his brow scrunches. “This is not what I was expecting to happen.” Ronan’s glare causes him to cast his eyes to the floor.
“Come, prisoner,” he commands, and I sigh and shake my head. All things considered, it could’ve been a lot worse. “Choose your words carefully, and I might yet let you live.”
Yeah, okay.
Or not.