Chapter 35 #3
The rearview mirror reveals Maeve’s wide eyes as she listens to the conversation. Yes, we’re chaotic as fuck.
“I have to,” Syrus sighs. “I can’t exactly tell the station that I was kidnapping my long lost sister, can I?”
“You’re still a cop?” Maeve asks.
“Yes, but in a much smaller town. I’m the sheriff,” he explains. “My hours are manageable too. I didn’t have the best send off from Seattle. It’s a long story.”
“I’ve got nothing but time,” she says.
“Hi, Maeve!” Silva says. “Please tell your brother to keep his blood inside rather than out. I have someone covering the bar for me, but I’ll see you all when you get home. Love you!”
“Love you,” Izzy, Syrus, Kyren, and I chorus before I hang up. I think even though that was a community “I love you” that it counts. Don’t you think?
“She seems nice,” Maeve says. “A little intense.”
“She electrocuted me when I first met her,” I confide. “I deserved it though.”
“Yeah you did, asshole,” Syrus snarls, wincing as he shifts. “Maybe I should call out in the morning.”
“I have a question,” Maeve says, beginning to chew her lip.
“Shoot,” Syrus says as Izzy snorts.
“I think you should rethink those words,” he laughs.
“You know what I mean,” Syrus groans.
“Heath is going to lose his mind when he finds out that I’m gone,” she says. “He really does believe that I’m his possession.”
“Let him,” Kyren says. “You aren’t going to exist anymore. Widows Peak is really hard to find, and I’m going to make all new identification for you. Maeve is a gorgeous name, but we may want to change your last name. Heath can tear apart the world. He won’t find you.”
“And if he does, you have people who will put him down like the dog he is,” I say. “You’ll be protected now, while still being able to decide what you want for the rest of your life.”
“Alphas also aren’t allowed into Widows Peak unless they’ve been vouched for,” Syrus adds.
The stress bleeds out of her body and I realize she’s been holding onto a lot of questions. I don’t blame her. Change is tough even when it's a good one.
“Syrus joined the police force for Widows Peak when the town was still growing. He knows who should be there, and who shouldn’t. He also patrols the outskirts of Widows Peak,” Izzy explains.
“It doesn’t keep me from spending time with Silva and my pack,” Syrus says quickly. He’s alluded to this before, and I realize it’s his guilt talking.
“Of course you do,” Maeve says softly. “Sy…”
She cuts off her thought, and looks out the window. They have a lot to talk about later. It doesn’t have to happen all at once, and I know it won’t be easy.
Maeve is sleeping by the time I pull into the driveway, but she twitches awake once I turn off the car.
“We’re here,” I say. It’s after six in the morning. “Syrus, if you’re going to go into work, at least let them know you’re going in later. You need to get your shoulder fixed up, and Izzy needs to find that damn bullet.”
“There’s no exit wound,” Kyren says helpfully.
“Tattle tale,” Syrus grumbles, opening the door and almost falling out of the SUV.
“You’re calling out!” Maeve yells at him.
That'a girl. Give him the business.
Kyren, Isidro, and I chuckle under our breaths as we walk up the steps of the porch behind them. Syrus continues to hold onto the towel against his shoulder, and Kyren rolls his eyes at all the soiled ones in his arms.
Flesh wounds bleed like a stuck pig.
Syrus unlocks the door, and we all walk inside. Izzy is no longer wearing the heels he was earlier, his body now covered with his normal clothing. He just threw it all over his black briefs.
“Honey, we’re home!” I call out, knowing my girl is going to be sleeping like shit without us.
Heading toward the kitchen, Izzy gets to work cleaning up after Syrus. I can hear Silva padding downstairs, but she doesn’t immediately come in after us.
It’s at least a few minutes until she does, and Izzy crows as he drops the bullet into a bowl.
“You’re getting too comfortable, old man,” Silva says with her arms full of clothing and odds and ends.
“Hey, I haven’t been shot in at least nine years,” Syrus groans. “Old man, my ass.”
“You must be Maeve,” Silva says with a small smile, her gaze on her. “I come bearing some essentials for you.”
“You didn’t have to go through any trouble for me,” Maeve mumbles.
“Yes, I did. Now, the guest bedroom is cleaned, the bedding has been washed with scent free detergent, and I have a pile of clothing here that should fit comfortably,” Silva begins.
“There’s also a bathroom connected to that bedroom, and it’s not shared with anyone else.
I put some things in there for now, but we’ll go shopping for things you like after we’ve all slept, okay? ”
Maeve appears overwhelmed as Silva talks, and her eyes drop to the clothing in her arms.
“Are you cold? I brought a fluffy blanket if you want to watch your brother get stitched up,” Silva continues, handing it to her before she sets the clothes on the table.
Moving to the cabinet, she opens it and pulls down a bottle of scotch and a glass.
“Syrus, are you in pain?” she asks, coming to the island and pouring out several fingers worth.
“If you drink that in front of me to taunt me, Spitfire, I will fucking spank you,” he complains.
“That was too much information,” Maeve informs him as Silva grins.
“This is for you,” she confirms, sliding the glass to Syrus.
“Thank you,” he mumbles, drinking the entire glass.
“Come mierda. Stop moving,” Izzy mutters. “I have to stitch your stubborn self up.”
“Sorry.”
“I’m really overwhelmed,” Maeve whispers, tears overflowing again. “How are you so nice?”
“I’m grumpy most of the time,” Silva smirks. “We should all go to bed once the bleeder gets fixed up.”
I can’t help but laugh because our girl is definitely trying to diffuse the situation. Izzy and Kyren are glancing at each other as she talks, and I think there may be something happening with the bond. Silva is trying to pretend she’s not freaking the fuck out.
“Now, what do you need to sleep? The bed is comfortable, I have a light in the bathroom, would you like one by the bed?” she asks.
“One by the bed would be great,” Maeve says softly. “Thanks. I’m still tired. Can you show me where to go?”
Silva nods, helps her gather everything that she brought over, and then is showing her upstairs.
“She’s definitely freaking out,” Izzy muses.
“Silva or my sister?” Syrus mumbles.
“Well, Maeve is processing,” I say, making sure to keep my voice low. “We threw a monkey wrench in her life. Granted, it was needed, but it’s still a lot to deal with.”
“I also think it’ll be important for her to speak to someone,” Izzy murmurs. “She mentioned that she was in a bad place. I’m concerned about her mental health.”
“I got that impression too,” Syrus says. “I’m going to watch for that. Thanks for tonight. Ugh, I’m still pissed that I got shot.”
“It would have been you or us,” Izzy says helpfully as he chuckles.
“I appreciate that,” he says. “Let me call out. Silva is right. I’m too damn old to be getting shot.”
“Welp, you said it, not us,” I laugh.
Fuck, I really do love our pack.