Chapter 42 #2
God, he had each move calculated eons before they would have occurred to anyone else. And made sure each of us—and the manor—would still smell “correct.” To keep everyone in the dark. Including the staff.
Brilliant bastard.
“Is this why you ripped the nest apart last year?” Dane guesses. “You wanted it to be perfect for our mate?”
I feel Cillian nod. “I had it stripped, cleaned, and partially redecorated,” he corrects.
“And then sealed it off to ensure none of the neutralizers got in here. I wanted her to have a safe space, but it isn’t done.
I’ve added a few finishing touches since she moved in, though, after observing her. Like all these bookshelves…”
Bookshelves?
My head pops up before I can remember I’m supposed to be asleep. I whip my face around, finding that my husband is actually telling the truth, for once—the three interior panels of the six-sided room are, in fact, black bookshelves.
Dane blinks at me, surprise rounding his gold eyes. “Briar.” Pink creeps over his exposed cheeks. “How long have you been awake?”
Ah fuck.
One glance at the arrogant alpha holding me makes it clear that he’s known this whole time. Cillian let me eavesdrop, so I could hear his side of the story. Then he lured me into revealing myself by mentioning my one weakness: a library.
But instead of outing me to Dane, he simply curves his lips in that faint, enigmatic half-smile. Letting me decide how much to admit to… and turning himself into my partner-in-crime.
I hate that I love it so much. But these little moments, when he looks at me and sees some unknown piece no one else ever has… they connect with a throbbing, empty place in my middle. One that begs for him.
A dozen other moments like this, when he’s stared me down and smirked knowingly, flood my brain. Negotiating how long I had to decide about their deal. Calling his packmates out. Telling him I hated him and watching his eyes spark.
Jesus. I am so in over my head with this man.
Slowly shifting my focus back to Dane, I find him properly blushing, his gaze pointedly not on mine.
He said he loved us, my Omega whispers. And now he knows we heard him.
Oh dear God. My heart.
Who am I kidding?
It is a fucking puddle.
And I know I should hate them. After everything Cillian has done, all the stuff Gideon told me about Dane, but—
I think I might not.
I think I might… trust them.
It makes no sense. I spent my whole life with a vile man who used my sister and me for experiments. Then stuck me in the ballet, where I was ogled and treated like an object. Something that could be whittled down, repainted, worn thin.
There is literally no reason for me to trust anyone, ever.
Least of all them.
It’s the reason I never told them about Violet. Because I had to protect her—even if it turns out I’m only shielding a memory.
I mean, come on. This pack bought me. Rhys is a cruel snake and Cillian had been lying to me from the moment we met and Dane—
Came home smeared in blood the other night.
Yet when he finally raises his gaze back to mine, I feel something certain and sweet snap into place. Like a missing shard of my soul has been returned to me.
And, God help me…
How can I ignore that?
Why would I want to?
Especially with him. Of all the alphas here, he’s always been so kind to me. Gentle, even.
And now that I know why Cillian behaved the way he did… I have to admit, he’s never tried to hurt me. In fact, he’s tried to heal me.
Good food, a safe house, free time, the ability to choose who I spend time with and when.
Guilt worms its way into my gut. There are things I haven’t told them, too. If he’s a liar, then, well… he isn’t the only one.
I force a smile for Dane. “I’ve been awake for a while,” I reply. “Listening.”
We let the implications of that settle between us. His cheeks blaze hotter and his eyes turn molten as he exhales through his nose. But instead of worrying about himself, he asks, “Are you alright? I know that was a lot.”
Warmth seeps through my chest. And I can’t fight it.
I don’t want to fight it.
“Yeah,” I whisper back. “I’m okay.”
Better than okay, really. I feel incredible. For the first time in my entire life, I’m not overwhelmed with the need to be on guard. These men might not be “good,” but no one will hurt me while they’re here.
Dane has the uncanny ability to read my thoughts. Or maybe my scent. When he senses it shift, he blows out another breath and lifts his hand to touch me.
Cillian snarls, wildness cracking across his gaze. Dane bares his teeth in a menacing reply, scars pulling at his furious features. My Omega ducks for cover.
When he feels me shake, the pack leader chokes off his possessive growl. “Sorry,” he apologizes, voice tight. “I’m—I can’t share her, Dane. Not yet.”
I shoot him a glower.
For the first time, true regret touches my husband’s face. “I’m sorry, rosebud,” he repeats. “I know you want Dane. I’ll try to calm down so you can go to him when my knot unlocks.”
Lord help me—is this guilt swelling in my stomach? Concern pinching my lungs?
Am I actually feeling sympathy for the devil?
I settle back against him, my glare devolving into a mild scowl. “I’m fine. But Dane is touch-starved. So you’re going to have to share eventually, devil.”
His glossy black brows quirk. “Devil?”
I shrug, setting my head on his shoulder where I can face Dane. Shooting the big man a wink as I reply, “Unless you prefer ‘evil bastard.’”
“We’ll stick with devil, I think. Although ‘evil bastard’ might work for special occasions. Birthdays. Anniversaries.”
His dry ruefulness happens to be exactly my brand of humor. I smirk despite myself and my husband seems to relax. He settles into the pillows, slinging an arm around my waist. His fingers curl around to brush my belly with tender intent.
Shit.
I sort of fibbed about that, too.
“Hey, guys…”
Both alphas look at me, Dane with concern, Cillian gleaming interest. I weigh my options quickly, knowing it’s now or never. And while I didn’t mind misleading my captors… I really don’t like the idea of outright lying to my mates.
“I have to tell you something.”
Dane’s features crease, but Cillian’s smooth, along with his voice. Uh oh.
“That’s fine. Because I have a question for you, Mrs. Blackwood,” he says.
Everything is always a negotiation with this alpha… and he usually stacks the deck so I’m the one winning, in the end. As long as it also means he gets whatever he wants.
“Okay,” I sigh. Another deal with the devil. So why do I want to smile? “Listen…”