Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
AVA
Heavy boots thud behind me. I half-expect to find my brother when I turn back, but it’s not him.
Dante frowns at me, his eyes wide with worry. “Darling, what’s wrong?”
“I want to leave,” I say, my voice breaking.
He doesn’t hesitate, guiding me to his bike with a firm hand on my lower back. In one fluid motion, he swings his leg over. I climb on, wrapping my arms around his muscular torso.
Dante revs the engine and we peel out of the lot. I press my cheek to his broad back as the wind whips my hair. Tears sting my eyes.
Archer lied to me. For years. Let me believe we had no secrets between us.
Dante’s hand covers mine, his thumb stroking my knuckles. “Talk to me, darling,” he calls over the sound of the engine. “What happened back there?”
My throat tightens. “I saw Archer... change. He—he shifted into a wolf.”
The bike slows and Dante glances over his shoulder, eyes wide. “You saw that?”
I nod against his shoulder blade. Dante takes a sharp turn and guns the engine. Fat raindrops splatter my face as thunder rumbles overhead.
We screech to a stop behind our building. I leap off the bike and march toward the door.
For how long has he kept this? Dante mentioned something about feeling your animal when you’re a teenager. Is that how long it’s been? Over ten years?
And why? Doesn’t my brother trust me enough to keep this secret? Am I this untrustworthy?
“Ava, wait!”
Dante’s fingers close around my wrist, tugging me back. Rain soaks my hair, dripping down my neck. He cradles my face in his rough hands.
“Darling. You have to understand. It was dangerous for Archer to reveal himself. Shifters have to guard our secret to survive. He only shifted tonight because the bar is on club territory—we’re safe there.”
I suck in a shuddering breath. “You knew?”
Dante tightens his hold. “Yes. Yes, I did. That’s how he and I first became friends. And you must understand, Ava. This secret is dangerous. For both you and him.”
My eyes sting, my tears mixing with the rain. “I get it,” I say. “I do. But it hurts that he kept this from me for so long. That he didn’t trust me.” A pathetic laugh escapes me. “Guess I wasn’t worthy of the truth.”
“No, darling. No.” Dante pulls me into his arms, one hand stroking my damp hair. “You are so damn worthy. You’re good and loyal and strong. Archer wanted to tell you. It killed him to hide it.”
I sniffle against his chest. “Really?”
He tips my chin up. “Really. You’re his sister, Ava. He missed you every day you were apart. But your safety is more important.”
I bite onto my trembling bottom lip. I stare into Dante’s green eyes and find only honesty there. He leans closer. I tilt my head back, keeping our gazes locked.
And then his mouth is on mine, firm and insistent. I gasp and he licks into my mouth, hands roaming my curves. I kiss him back. Hard. Desperation crackles between us. Desperate need to touch, to feel.
To belong.