Series: Lee Savino
Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 63295 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63295 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
“That’s definitely not the case. I think he was just goading Darius to find out if you’re his fated mate. But now that he knows you are, he’ll protect you like family. You are family.”
Part of me wants to reject all this insta-family stuff. I have a family–Wren. And I have to get to her before Thom does something horrible. But it also feels easy. Comfortable.
So different from being trapped in the gray stone tower of Lockepoint.
Out in the cabin, I hear Darius’ voice, but it sounds like he’s on the phone, rather than working things out with his brother.
Lana thrusts a pair of black stretchy yoga pants with wide legs. “These might work. They can double as dress pants with a pair of heels. Deep pockets. Very versatile. Good for travel.”
“Sold.” I tug them on. They are high-waisted with a wide band that controls and flatters my tummy.
“They look best with a crop top. Here, I think this will fit you.” She hands me a bright melon sports bra with fancy straps that converge in a ring in the center of the back, extending out like spokes. “This is my most comfortable sports bra line, and then you can layer over this midriff jogger.” She gives me a long-sleeved teal crop top with a wide neck and thumb-holes on the sleeves.
Everything fits perfectly and feels like it’s made of the highest-quality fabric and construction.
“I love this, thank you.”
“Oh good. At least you have something to wear until you can shop for yourself. We can head down to my outlet shop in town if you want to look for some other things.”
The sound of the front door opening and heavy boots clomping into the cabin interrupts our conversation.
“That will be…everyone.” Lana flicks her brows at me with a grin. “Now that you’re firmly in the category of fated mate, the whole family is going to want to get to know you.”
“I really can’t stay.” The underlying anxiety about getting to Wren is growing louder. My gut says I’m running out of time. “I need to get back to the East Coast and get my sister.”
Lana’s expression turns to concern. “I understand. Let’s go see if they’ve found anything out about where she is.”
When we emerge from the bedroom, all of Darius’ brothers are present. They’re all so giant, they can’t all fit in the living room. Axel and Bern stick their heads in from the window. A bear–the same one they called their ‘pet’–lurks outside the open front door.
Darius extends an arm to me, and I go to his side. Already we’re a couple. Part of me wants to resist it because it seems so fantastical, so impossible, but it also feels exactly right.
He tucks me against him and kisses the top of my head. My resistance melts even more.
“Paloma, you’ve met Matthias, Axel, Canyon, Bern, and Hutch. This asshole is my brother, Theodore. He lifts his chin at Teddy. “You weren’t formally introduced since Teddy was busy making you feel unwelcome.”
“Sorry about that, Paloma.” Teddy speaks in the same deep rumble as Darius. “You are more than welcome. You’re family—marked or not.”
“That’s Everest there.” Darius indicates the bear.
I wave nervously at the giant animal, trying to imagine what he might look like in man-form.
“Paloma is anxious to get back to the East Coast to find her sister,” Lana offers.
I send her a grateful look. She definitely has my back, and I appreciate that.
“Yes, have you heard anything?”
“That’s why I called everyone here,” Darius says. “We located her. The choir tour is on their final leg in New York. We found out the hotel they’re in, and we have friends en route to get her out. They should be there within the hour. Even though they block internet access, Kylie was able to hack into her school laptop and link her to a satellite. As soon as she opens it, we can connect you through my phone, so you can let her know what’s going on.”
I let out an exhale in an audible gust. “Thank God! Thank God.” Tears smart my eyes. “I’m so glad you found her.”
“We will leave immediately to rendezvous with her. Brothers…” Darius breaks off as if it’s hard for him to ask for help.
“We’ll go if you need us,” Matthias says.
Darius lets out his own exhale. “Thank you. I trust the wolves, but I would rather have my brothers there.”
“Bear power.” Bern pumps his fist in the air.
Darius’ phone beeps, and he whips it out of his pocket to look at the screen. “This is it.” The tautness in his voice tells me what it’s about.
I grab his wrist to bring the face of the phone closer to me.
On it, a young woman in her early thirties appears. She doesn’t take time to introduce herself, she just speaks as she clacks keys on her keyboard. “Wren is online. I’m patching you through right now.” The screen goes black, and I hold my breath for one second. Two. Four and five. Then suddenly a video comes on.