Total pages in book: 139
Estimated words: 129268 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 646(@200wpm)___ 517(@250wpm)___ 431(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129268 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 646(@200wpm)___ 517(@250wpm)___ 431(@300wpm)
“I’ll be fine, Vince.”
“Get in the damn car right now, Veronica. I’m not going to risk losing you. I will never risk you.” She fidgets outside the car, her feet gently moving the rocks beneath her again, and for a moment I think she’s going to ignore me and walk down the path without me. Instead, she quietly gets in the car and shuts the door with a faint click, staring straight ahead while I gaze at her.
“You’ll be fine if I die, Vince. You’ll have to be fine and just keep living.” Her head turns to face me and her cold dark eyes are devoid of emotion when she tells me, “You can’t keep me by your side forever.” Her words cut deep into me.
“I’ll keep you safe for as long as I live, I promise you.” I move to grasp her hand and she lets me. Even as the cords in her neck tighten with a swallow, she lets me hold her hand in mine. I brush my lips against her knuckles and turn her hand over to kiss her palm. “You’re mine to keep by my side if I wish.”
Her sigh is one that will stay with me. One of stubbornness, hardness, and a somber note of regret. It fucking kills me. She rests her hand in her lap while I start the car and leave the trail. I’ll call Devin and tell him what we’ve discovered as soon as I swallow this lump climbing up my throat. There’s no need for us to go down that path into God knows what by ourselves, most likely outnumbered. We’re a pack for a reason.
“Do you want to talk about it?” I murmur the words while I drive us toward home. “We should make it there in a few hours. Plenty of time to talk.” Before she can answer, my phone’s timer goes off, indicating it’s time to call Lev. I wait a moment and Veronica only shrugs, her gaze focused on the phone. Reluctantly, I put it on speaker and the other end rings once before Lev picks up.
“Yo, you good?”
Clearing my throat, I tell him, “Yeah, heading back now.”
“No leads?” Lev’s disappointment is obvious.
“We got something. We’re going to need backup, though.” I can practically feel his grin through the sounds of his howling laughter. My first thought is new to me: he doesn’t have a mate to protect. There’s not an ounce of worry for him. “We’ll be back soon.”
“Still, check in with me again in an hour. I don’t need Devin up my ass.”
“You got it.” I end the conversation and glance at my mate. “Baby, talk to me.”
“What do you want me to say?” she’s quick to respond, but doesn’t look back at me.
“Are we all right?” Her dark eyes find mine and I decide to pull over to have this conversation. There’s a hint of worry laying heavy on my shoulders and I can’t fucking stand it. Putting the car in park, I push the seat as far back as I can so I can pull my mate into my lap. She gasps as I lift her up and settle her right where I want her.
Both of her palms brace against my chest. Her eyes are wide and the vulnerability she tries to hide shines back at me. I’m gentle as I brush her hair back from her face with my knuckles. Her skin is smooth and that simple touch forces her to close her eyes.
“I need to know we’re okay, baby. I know I pushed you. I was just trying to help and I’m worried I did the opposite of what I wanted.”
“I know you were. It’s fine.” She shrugs off my concerns, the cords in her neck tensing as she swallows. My entire body bristles at how she tries to play it off. Her tone is glib, but her body language isn’t.
“It’s obviously not fine,” I answer, my voice louder than I wish it was. She tenses but I don’t stop, telling her, “You aren’t the same. I’m sorry, baby.” Taking her chin in my hand, I force her to look at me. “I love you and I’m sorry.”
“I know, and I love you too. I do.” Her words act as a balm, easing the tension and numbing the burning concern that’s had me twisted up all day long. Her hand rests on mine and she waits a moment before admitting, “I’m trying to be okay with being scared.”
“You don’t have anything to be scared of.”
A soft smile that’s far too sad pulls up her lips and she says, “I’m already scared of what I’m going to do when you’re gone … and how that’s going to feel.”
“Baby,” I breathe and my fingers spear through her hair. “Don’t think about that.”
All she does is huff and then her eyes drop to my lips. “I love you. You know that, don’t you?”