Chapter Twenty-Seven
Falcon
It doesn’t matter that I’ve been ready for this moment for weeks now, from the second the academy’s golden gates open, I can tell finding my rescued Beta isn’t going to be as simple as I’d told myself it would be.
I guess if I’d been more honest, I might have called off this plan.
Security was always going to be a problem, and I can see now how tight it actually is.
The front section of the building has been cordoned off, including the carpark, and as I drive forward, I’m being led by guards with flashlights toward the exact spot where they want us to park at the side of the building.
So much for looking for a chance to sneak around.
“This place feels like a fortress,” I admit as I reverse into our allocated space.
When I kill the engine and put my attention on the building in front of us, I can see there are at least a half dozen guards outside, not including the couple whose job appears to be directing visitors to their parking spots.
Those two are already headed back to the gates.
“Fucking hell,” I mutter, glancing at Shayne.
He glances back at me, forcing a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes.
His jaw is tight. He’s been tense ever since we started to talk about the plan.
He’s not comfortable with any of this, and I feel like an asshole for letting him come with me.
I take off my seatbelt and turn in, taking his hand in mine.
“You don’t need to be here,” I start.
He blows out a breath before he unbuckles his seatbelt and turns to face me.
I can see the determination etched into his face as he looks me in the eyes.
“I know I don’t need to, but I’m with you, Johnny. That’s how it works when your mate decides he has to do something crazy that puts him in danger. I’m not letting you do this alone.”
“I’ll be fine …”
“And I’ll be there to make sure you’re fine.”
Clearly, there’s no arguing with him on this.
Either we go in there together, or we abandon the whole thing.
I know he doesn’t want to set foot inside that building.
I wish it didn’t feel like this is something I absolutely need to do.
It’s almost like the choice isn’t mine, that it’s out of my hands.
Shayne turns away, taking his hand from mine and reaching for the door handle.
“Wait!” I run a hand through my hair and let out a soft sigh. “We can forget this. We can turn around and go home right now.”
He hesitates before he lets the handle go and leans back in his seat.
My heart starts to hammer as I wait for his response.
“We’re not going home,” he tells me, giving me a wry smile. “This means too much to you.”
“You mean more to me than any of this,” I murmur, wondering what the hell is wrong with me.
I know this place reminds him of the past.
I should have said no the second he suggested coming out here.
“I’m okay. It’s weird to be here, sure, but I’m only worried that you might not get the chance to see her, and I think you really need that. I can’t say I fully understand, but I want you back to your old self, and that’s not going to happen if we don’t at least try. So, we’re trying.”
This time when he reaches for the door handle, he opens it and steps out of the car before I can think of a response.
A flush of guilt rushes through me as I sit there.
It takes a second to follow Shayne out of the car.
He’s waiting for me when I get out there.
Side by side, we walk toward the front steps that lead to the building’s side entrance.
I know no matter what happens tonight, regardless of whether I get to see the girl or not, I’m going to have to let it go once we leave.
It’s in the hands of the fates now.
I can only hope I get what I came here for.