Chapter Fourteen #2
“That doesn’t mean she shouldn’t do it. I feel it. She needs to continue using her gifts in this way. We’re always in danger. Anyone can find out what we are and take advantage of us. Rome, you know this needs to happen.”
“Yeah,” he replies.
“Adeline, did you see me die?” I ask, and Rome narrows his eyes.
“No.”
“It wasn’t about my death,” I say, tugging on Rome’s shirt. “We’ll handle it.”
“I have every confidence you’ll be fine in the end,” Adeline persists.
“Great,” Rome drawls.
“Boy, no one can beat you,” she says. “Call me if you need help. We’re staying in town.”
“Are you going to tell their future?” he teases.
“You know better,” she scolds.
“I do. Tell Mom and Dad hello,” he says.
“Will do. Kick some ass.” She hangs up, and Rome sighs.
“Don’t,” I say quickly.
“Don’t what?”
“We are doing this,” I state firmly. My spells are pushing at my skin, and I have to listen to my gut.
“What’s going on?” Lace opens her door.
“Fill her in,” Rome says. “I need to call Archer.” He squeezes my hand before walking away. I watch him disappear into the shelves.
“Mara?” Lace moves forward, frowning.
“Gavin was here. There are more men out there like the ones the other night,” I explain.
“You’re going after them,” she guesses, and I look at her open door. “My client is gone.”
“I have to do this,” I insist.
“I know,” she says.
“You do?”
“We’re sisters. I know you. This isn’t something you can just let go.
That doesn’t mean I won’t worry about you.
” She leans across from me. “I know you’ve been hiding what happened to you.
” I cross my arms. “I’ve allowed you to keep it from me.
You needed time, and I decided to give it to you. I’m not weak, I can handle it.”
“I don’t think you are weak,” I whisper, shaking my head. “It was me who wasn’t strong enough. I’m afraid you’ll look at me differently if I tell you everything.”
“Fuck that,” she hisses. “Nothing will change my opinion of you. I love you. You have done nothing but protect and love me. We have been in this life as a team since Mom died. She is another subject that we don’t discuss. I miss her, and I miss you.”
“What? I’m here.” I scowl.
“Mara, you have closed yourself off since you got back. I’m not surprised that your magic has exploded since meeting Rome.
I’m grateful he’s brought you back to life.
” She steps forward and reaches her hand out before dropping it.
“Because of him, I know there will be a time when I can touch you without him near.”
“I hope so.” I'm hesitant to try it yet, but I know I need to conquer my fears.
“After all this shit is done, and you are bonded to Rome, we have to have a talk,” she says sternly. “I want to know. I want to know everything about my sister.”
“I will.”
“Promise?” She glares.
“Yes.” The door opens, and a customer walks in. At least it isn’t a man who wants to flirt with me. “It might be best if you stay at home for this mission,” I whisper.
“Don’t even.” Her glare intensifies. “I’m in this with you. Is Archer going?”
“Yeah.”
“We are a team. I can help.”
“If anything happened to you.” I shake my head.
“Hey, nothing will.” She smiles lightly. “You won’t let it. Plus, I have two brothers who will protect me.”
“You like them.”
“What’s not to like? Archer annoyed me at first, but he’s growing on me.” I wiggle my eyebrows. “Put those away.” She motions to my face. “It’s not like that. Yeah, he's sexy, but as you know, he’s not my soul bond. He’s like a brother.”
“A much older brother,” I mumble.
“How much?” she gasps. “I asked, but he won’t tell me.” I lean toward her, but she looks over my shoulder.
“Archer is on his way,” Rome says, and I turn to face him. “Gavin sent me the details.” He moves around the counter. “We need to plan.”
“We can close early,” Lace says, smiling at him. “I don’t have any more customers today.” She glances at the woman, looking around. “Let's get some food and go to Mara’s.”
“Wait for Archer,” Rome says, grabbing my hand. “And Mara and I will get food and meet you there.” As I look into his eyes, I can see different intentions.
“Are you just trying to get my sister alone?” Lace asks, her smile widening.
“Lace,” I sputter.
“Yes,” Rome answers.
“How about Archer and I get the food? You can go home with Mara,” Lace suggests.
“Thanks, Sis.” Rome grins and ruffles her hair. She swats his hand away, and he chuckles.
“How old are you?” she scolds.
“You don’t want to know,” he says. She opens her mouth to respond, but the woman walks toward the counter.
“I’m not giving up,” she threatens.
“I don’t expect you to,” he says, and I laugh. I never thought we would have moments like this. We have been alone for so long, and Rome and Archer have brought laughter back into our lives.
Rome pulls me close, and I press my face to his chest. I won’t let anyone take him away from me.
Rome sprawled in the passenger side seat of my car, silent on the way home.
It wasn’t uncomfortable, but I wondered what he was thinking about.
He’s worried about my safety. I should be more concerned than I am.
Someone is going to try to kill me. I trust Adeline and her gift.
The key point is that I won’t die. She would have told us if she knew I would.
If all of the men are human, it should be an easy fight.
Rome’s powers are extraordinary, and he’ll do anything to keep me safe.
I’m not that naive though. Things can happen; I have lived through scenarios that shouldn’t have happened.
I pull into my driveway and park. The silence remains as I let us into the house. I watch Rome as he stops at the kitchen counter. I assumed he would try to seduce me, and it wouldn’t take much, but he’s frowning.
“I’ve never cared much about anyone,” he says suddenly.
I shut the door and move slowly toward him.
“I don’t particularly like the sensation of being afraid.
I haven’t felt fear since I was young. My magic has protected me, and since I’ve gained power, I know not many can beat me.
” I sit on the stool. “My need to make you stay away from these men is fierce. I know you are capable. I’ve seen what you can do, and I’m proud of how far you have come.
It makes my skin itch thinking about you in the room with them, even though I’ll be with you.
Your spells will protect you. I will too. Why am I feeling like this?”
“It’s natural to worry about people you care about,” I whisper.
“That doesn’t seem right,” he mumbles.
“What?” Did I get it wrong? I’m falling in love with the man, and I hope he feels the same way.
“That word. It’s not how I feel.” He rubs his chest. “It’s much more than that.
” My heart thuds, and his gaze becomes intense.
“This is nothing like what I felt for those women in my past. If one of those men gets past me, or we react too slowly, and they hurt you, I’ll show no mercy.
I’ve hidden my magic, never using too much, but it will consume me if Adeline is right.
She is hardly ever wrong, so it goes against all of my instincts to continue.
” He rolls his shoulders. “Gavin sent me the location. It’s in a house.
They hold gatherings there, so there will be twice as many men. I don’t want you to touch them.”
“Why? We need to know their intentions and crimes.” I’m not looking forward to the emotions.
“We can guess. If they are associated with Jerry, most likely they are the same, if not worse. I’m powerful, but I’ll have to control the room.
If you are feeling their sins, I may not be able to take them from you.
” He grabs my hand, caressing my fingers.
“We should have practiced fending off the emotions.”
“We can try with Lace,” I suggest.
“Are you ready for that?”
“I’m confident I can figure it out. I’ve been working against my spells; now we are flowing together.
I can guide them how I want.” I’m not excited about the possibility of seeing my sister's thoughts, yet she is the safest person to test on.
“I doubt I want to feel what Archer feels.” He widens his eyes.
“Probably not,” he says.
“I have to trust in my magic,” I whisper, squeezing his hand. “Just like I trust you.”
“Yeah?” he asks roughly.
“More than anyone since my mom. I haven’t believed in fate. Her death was devastating, and I couldn’t understand why the universe I was supposed to trust would take her away. I’m beginning to believe again,” I confess.
“My Mara,” he says softly. “You—” He looks at the door as it opens, and Lace walks through. Archer isn’t far behind.
“I hope you're hungry. Archer bought everything on the menu,” Lace says.
“Famished,” Rome grits out. I look at him, and his gaze travels over my face. A flush brushes over my body.
“Did the shifter message you?” Archer asks.
“Yes. It’s in a large home. I haven’t been around any of the men, and Mara hasn’t touched them, so I can’t do a location spell. I don’t like it, but we’ll have to plan in the moment,” Rome says, pulling away.
“We’ve done it in the past,” Archer snorts.
“Really?” Lace asks as she spreads the food on the coffee table.
“Rome, you haven’t told them about the visits to the police station,” Archer taunts, sitting on the floor.
“We are not talking about that,” Rome grumbles.
“I think we should.” Lace grins.
“Were you arrested?” I ask, a little shocked. Rome doesn’t seem like a warlock who would get caught.
“We have more important things to talk about,” Rome says, walking to the couch.
“We have time,” Lace says, enjoying the glare Rome aims her way. I press my lips together and join him on the couch.
He sighs. “I was defending a woman. I got blamed, and I ended up in jail. I couldn’t use my spells to get out.”
“I started keeping a ‘get out of jail’ jar for him,” Archer chuckles.
“No way,” Lace breathes.
“Can we eat?” Rome asks, reaching for a plate.