Chapter 47
As his cabin came into view, the setting sun painting a beautiful backdrop of an orange horizon behind it, Murphy breathed a small sigh of relief.
The day was finally over, and hopefully in the next few hours, he’d handle all of his remaining problems.
He was more than ready to get Nessa inside, comfort her however she needed, and eventually fall asleep with her in his arms. Realistically, he didn’t know if he could stomach the thought of her being out of his sight for a single second.
Leaning down, he kissed the crown of his mate’s head. “We’re home, Nes.”
She grumbled something, her brows pinching together as she frowned. Slowly, her eyes slid open, that deep chocolate gaze melting some of the lingering icy fear that had permeated his soul in recent hours.
She is safe now, he reminded himself.
Zeke pulled into Murphy’s long driveway, parking the SUV right in front of his home. He switched off the engine.
Nessa yawned. “I feel like I could sleep for days.”
Murphy unbuckled himself and then her before opening the back door. “That can be arranged.”
He’d ensure she got all the rest she needed, even if he had to kill someone else to achieve it.
Gently, he plucked Nessa out of the car, carrying her bridal-style up the stairs of his front porch.
Nessa rested the side of her head against his chest. “You know I can walk.”
Jasper gasped loudly from somewhere behind them. “No way. Really? Holy shit, Zeke, Nessa can walk!”
She sighed dramatically. “Now I regret hugging you, Jasper.”
“See? I told you that you were mean, Nessa.” Jasper clapped Murphy on the shoulder. “You’ve got your work cut out for you, Murph. She might charm you with cake, but I know what she’s really like. And Nessa? She’s vicious.”
Murphy snorted, opening his front door and carrying his mate past the threshold. “Nessa’s perfect,” he argued, beelining for the leather couch. He placed her on a cushion, ensuring she was comfortable before standing to his full height.
Turning, he shot his youngest brother a pointed look. “I hope you weren’t implying otherwise.”
“Me?” Jasper shook his head good-naturedly. “I would never. I like vicious women.”
“Is that right?” Nessa laughed suddenly, and the tension knotted in Murphy’s chest loosened. That sound was like a warm balm, soothing his anxiety and lingering fear.
He’d worried his mate would take days, or longer, to grapple with what had happened today. She probably would.
But her laughter? It was a good sign that she’d heal from today’s trauma sooner rather than later.
Thank you, he whispered into Jasper’s mind, beyond grateful for the small gift he’d given Murphy and his mate.
Jasper was doing what he always did in tough, somber situations; put everyone at ease. Replacing each depressing thought with something lighter. Happier.
Of course, his brother answered immediately.
“Oh yeah. The meaner the better,” Jasper added out loud, grinning. “And if she pretends I don’t exist?” He whistled. “Then I know I’m in love.”
Murphy rolled his eyes. “You’ve never been in love before.”
“I know.” Jasper shrugged. “Because I’m too good-looking; no female can ignore all this.”
Murphy opened his mouth, ready to tease his brother mercilessly, when Colter pushed Angelo through the door, holding him up by the arm and steering him toward the dining room.
He was still bound and gagged, hopping awkwardly on both tethered feet.
“Let me just put our guest out of sight until Constantine arrives.”
They disappeared into the other room.
Marcus entered the house next; a tight, distressed expression on his face.
Dante stood behind him, his own face expressing acceptance. “I’m ready to receive your judgment, Alpha.”
The humor in the air dissolved instantly as Murphy approached both males. Marcus stood in front of his brother, a silent protector, though he wouldn’t meet Murphy’s eyes.
He understood the male’s emotions, knew how difficult this was for all of them. But it was time to lay this matter to rest.
“Stand aside, Marcus,” the Alpha instructed quietly.
Marcus swallowed thickly and then nodded, a lone tear slipping down his cheek as he moved to the left, leaving Dante and Murphy standing in front of one another.
“I’ve dreaded this conversation more than you’ll ever know. I put it off for days, pondering the appropriate action to take,” Murphy began, his tone flat. “I’m glad that I did.”
Dante furrowed his brow. “You are?”
“Yes.” Murphy felt the last of his tension drain away. “You could have stayed silent today. It wasn’t your responsibility to help me locate Nessa. You could have bartered information for your freedom, too, and I would have done whatever you wanted. But you didn’t.”
“I would never do that,” the other male answered passionately.
“I know,” he replied somberly. “I will not rescind your banishment from our clan. The hurt done to Nessa because of your previous actions …”
Murphy bowed his head, gathering his thoughts before he spoke again. “I won’t put her at risk. If your mate were to be leveraged against you once more, I know the steps you’d take to keep her safe. I understand that,” Murphy admitted. “But I won’t give you another opportunity.”
“What are you saying?” Dante asked hesitantly, eyes shining with hope.
“The least I can do is give you the same chance you’ve given me.” Murphy’s voice softened. “Go home to your mate, Dante.”
Marcus let out a shuddering breath, relief flooding his entire being as the tension in the room was immediately extinguished.
“I—” Dante choked up, tears filling his eyes. “Thank you, Murphy. Thank you so much.”
Murphy nodded.
“I’ll drive you to Angela,” Marcus said quickly, grabbing his brother’s arm and ushering him from the cabin without a moment’s hesitation.
With that settled, Murphy dropped onto the cushion beside Nessa, grabbing her legs and placing them onto his lap.
Nessa leaned forward, cupping Murphy’s cheek. She turned his head toward her, staring at him with absolute adoration. His heart skipped a beat, and he nuzzled his cheek against her palm.
“I love you,” she said simply.
“I love you. More than I could ever put into words.”
Jasper sniffled loudly. “You two are just so cute,” he said, fanning away imaginary tears. He sobered almost immediately. “But I love you guys, too, by the way.”
“Me three!” Colter shouted from the dining room.
Zeke rolled his eyes. “You two just had to butt in, didn’t you? Couldn’t let our Alpha have a sweet moment with his mate.”
Jasper strolled over to Zeke, tossing an arm around the male’s shoulder. “Come on. Tell us you love us too.”
“No.”
“Tell us you love us,” Jasper sing-songed.
Zeke ran a hand down his face. “Fine. I love you guys,” he grumbled.
“Good.” Jasper smirked. “Now let’s get out of here before Constantine shows up.”
“That is the smartest thing you’ve ever said,” Zeke remarked. Then he grimaced. “Last thing I want to see right now is a leech.”
“Will you stop by Tank’s cabin on the way and debrief him?” Murphy asked. “I spoke to him on the drive back, but I’m sure he’ll want all the details.”
In fact, Tank had insisted on more information when they’d spoken, but Murphy was too exhausted to recount everything tonight.
“Will do.” Jasper tossed a hand up in farewell before he and Zeke followed Marcus out the door, closing it behind them and leaving them alone, aside from Colter and her brother in the next room.
“I’m so ready for bed,” Nessa commented quietly, snuggling in closer to Murphy. “I just want to take a bath and try to forget the last several hours.”
“Me too, little mate.” Murphy wrapped an arm around her, pulling her fully onto his lap. She settled against him with a small sound of contentment, burying her face into his neck as she had earlier.
He cupped the back of her head, fingers sifting through her hair. “Are you okay?”
“I will be,” came her muffled reply. She curled more firmly around him, her body going lax on his.
He shut his eyes, savoring the peace between them.
He’d never take moments like this for granted. The feel of her against him, her scent filling his lungs with each breath he took. The warmth in his soul that she stoked.
Murphy wasn’t sure how long they stayed like that, wrapped up in one another, but all too soon, they were interrupted.
A firm knock on the front door had Nessa startling awake in his arms. Blearily, Murphy pried his eyes open. “That’s Constantine.”
It was time to handle her brother.
“What do we do now?” Nessa asked tiredly, sinking into a dining room chair an hour later.
Murphy shook his head, unsure of how to answer.
The list of complications seemed to keep growing, but all he wanted to do was push it away. Nessa needed to rest and recuperate before they tackled anything else. Unfortunately, that wouldn’t be happening soon enough.
Constantine had just left, and with it, Murphy’s hope of handling Nessa’s brother in a cordial manner.
The vampire had been unsuccessful in compelling Angelo, and after several labored attempts, had given up on it entirely. He’d left shortly after that.
Now Murphy was in the hole with the vampires yet again, and it hadn’t even proven beneficial this time.
Muffled grunting from across the table had Murphy breaking eye contact with his mate only to glare at the human tied to a dining room chair.
“Should I take the gag out?” Colter asked cheerfully from beside the human, his lips twitching in amusement. “I kind of like that he can’t talk, though.”
Nessa nodded toward Colter. “Yes, take it out. I feel like it’s the least I could do.”
“You don’t owe him anything,” Murphy insisted passionately. “One good deed from him today doesn’t excuse his past transgressions.”
“I know.” Nessa reached out, taking Murphy’s hand in hers. “I know,” she repeated firmly.
Colter ripped the gag from Angelo’s mouth. The male winced, rotating his sore jaw.