Chapter 19 #2
I wince. “Poor things.” I frown as a new thought hits me. “The university has landscapers. How’s your team dealing with them?”
“Griff’s got a guy on the landscaping crew who’s been on the Hunter rolls since the eighties.
He’s been redirecting the schedules. As for our own research, Griff’s got cameras going up.
Six of them around the perimeter—the walkway, the science building roof, the trees at the edge of the circle.
Riley and Tia are mounting them at the crack of dawn tomorrow. ”
He scrubs a hand over his jaw. “If something comes through that breach, we’ll have it on tape. Meanwhile, we’ve been looking for similar activity across the globe, but there’s nothing. Whatever the hell is going on is happening exclusively in St. Augustine.”
“I guess that’s something,” I say. “I mean, local’s easier to fight, right?”
“Theoretically, yes. But this doesn’t feel like a natural breach.”
“Translation, please.”
“A natural breach is one that’s happened because of a weak spot that got out of control, so that it’s allowing the denizens of the other realms to come over and party. It’s messy.”
“Like someone seeding clouds instead of waiting for the rain?”
“Not really. That’s controlled. Think of it more like mares getting rowdy.”
“Poking at the barriers and looking for a weak spot where they can go party,” I say with a giggle.
“You’re only half-kidding. Often, that’s exactly what a breach is.
Some creature from Retribution or the Unseen somehow managing to cross over just to cause some mischief.
But this…” He trails off with a shake of his head.
“With all that’s happening at the Widow Maker, I can’t help but think something—or someone—is driving the show. ”
He holds my eyes for a long moment, then looks away, as if he’s changed his mind and doesn’t want me to know what he’s thinking. I frown, completely confused, then draw in a breath when the truth smacks me upside the head.
“Oh my god,” I say. “You think Adric’s doing this? No. No way.”
Chase shrugs. “The Real is the only realm not under his jurisdiction.”
“No,” I say firmly. “Even if he wanted to, he wouldn’t. This is my realm.”
For a long moment, Chase is silent. Then he dips his head in acquiescence. “You’re right,” he says. “There’s not much I’d put past him, but he wouldn’t hurt you.”
I lean back, studying his face. “You mean that.” It’s not a question, but he nods anyway.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“Don’t read what isn’t there, Cora. We have a history, he and I. But you are his now by ceremony and mine by your own word. And if nothing else, that makes him an ally as well as family.”
I blink back tears as I nod like an idiot.
“But be clear—if he tries to claim this realm, all bets are off. I’ll stop him. And if it turns out that he is behind these breaches, I’ll do more than that. I will not let him bring the barriers down, no matter what foolishness he’s told himself or you. Do you understand?”
I nod.
“Good.” He pulls my hand to his mouth and kisses my palm.
“It’s very sexy, you know,” I tease as I slide off his lap. “You in Protector mode even while you’re handling a billion breach crises.
“Bite your tongue,” he says with a laugh. “I think a billion would tax even my leadership skills.”
I toss him another grin, then move toward his kitchenette. I open the cabinet over the coffee maker and feel a warm flush over my body. Pop-Tarts. I don’t even remember when, but once I’d mentioned them in passing. Now, he keeps them stocked.
“You’re awesome,” I say, turning back to him with one of the foil packets in my hand.
“I’m very glad you think so,” he says, and I can practically hear the smile in his voice. I can definitely see it in his eyes.
“What?” I ask as I peel open the packet.
He shakes his head. “I just like seeing you like that. Puttering around the kitchen. Making it ours, not mine.”
“Yeah?” The word is little more than breath.
He nods, and the flutters in my chest morph into a gentle warmth, the kind I feel when I’m lost in his arms. And right then, I wish I could say anything except what I need to say. Which is why instead of talking, I bury the words under a crumbly pastry I didn’t even bother to heat up.
“Just tell me,” he says, once my hands are empty and I’ve wiped the crumbs from my mouth.
“That transparent?”
“Let’s just say that being a card shark is not a legit choice for your future career. Go ahead. I can take it. Hell, I already know it. You’re going to my brother.”
“I’m going to his library,” I say, crossing to sit beside him again. “But, yeah. I have to go tonight. Tia gave me a list of books, and I’m hoping Uncle Finn or the library can help me find them.”
“So no Adric?”
I glance down at my hands. “He’s on my list, too.” I reach for his hand, then squeeze it. “Why don’t you come with me?”
He pulls his hand free and laughs, the sound harsh. “Cora, listen to yourself. Do you really expect me to chaperone you to my brother’s bed? I think once was enough.”
I wince, but he’s right. It was a stupid thing to say, especially knowing how hard it had been for him to present me to Adric at the betrothal ceremony.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper. “I didn’t ask for this. I didn’t ask to care about both of you.”
He pulls me to him, his mouth closing over mine for the kind of kiss that is long and claiming and makes every cell in my body tingle.
“Don’t be sorry,” he says, breaking the kiss. “Be honest.” His fingers twine with mine. “I’m not asking you to feel guilty. I’m asking you not to dress it up for me. You’re going to him. I know you’re going. Hell, I agreed to it. You don’t have to soften it.”
I nod, still feeling awkward and weird, even though he’s right. He did agree. So did Adric. Hell, so did I.
“It’s hard,” I say finally. “Watching it be difficult for you.”
“I made my choice.”
I nod. “Even so.”
For a moment, he just looks at me, as if he’s memorizing my face. Then he pulls me gently to him, his cheek against my hair, and I let myself sink against him as I marvel at the strength of this man.
“Chase.”
“Yeah?”
“I love you.”
“I know,” he says. “I love you, too.”
His mouth finds the side of my throat—and I tilt my head to let him have more of it. He kisses his way up the side of my neck, then teases my earlobe before whispering, “Before you go…”
“Yes, please,” I murmur, and even as my words linger in the air, he’s shifted me in his arms, his mouth capturing mine in a way that says we’re done with softness.
This is about claiming, and then he kisses me again like a man with something to settle—but whether the battle is with me or Adric or himself, I don’t know.
More than that, I don’t care. I just want this—his mouth on mine, his hand sliding up under my shirt, his palm cupping my breast as his thumb teases my nipple, and I feel an echoing need between my legs that makes me whimper.
“Off,” he murmurs against my throat, his hands now at the hem of my shirt, and I lift my arms and let him drag it over my head. He unclasps my bra and lets it fall onto the couch cushions.
“Fold out the bed?” he asks.