On the floor, Charlene started coming to.
“No, it’s just part of my gift,” she assured me calmly as Thomas helped her up. “I’ll tell you about it some other time. You need to go spend time with your brothers. I’m fine.”
She didn’t look fine. She looked pale and shaky as she moved to sit on a chair.
Emmitt gave my hand a quiet squeeze of assurance. I squeezed back. Had I almost killed his mom?
“She’s stronger than she looks,” Thomas said to both of us.
“She’s still here and listening,” Charlene said with a roll of her eyes, and I felt a little relieved.
Emmitt moved as if to leave, but Thomas stopped us.
“Michelle, could I have a moment with you? Privately?”
Emmitt scowled at his father but left, closing the door softly behind him. Charlene remained, and I stayed by the door, waiting.
Thomas rested a hand on the back of Charlene’s chair, opened his mouth several times, but didn’t say anything. This was the first time I’d seen him look anything but confident and calm.
Charlene gave a snort at his prolonged silence. It seemed to motivate him. He gave her a look and ran his hand through his hair—a gesture I’d seen his son do numerous times.
“I wasn’t sure what to do about sleeping accommodations. Jim mentioned Emmitt stayed with you last night, and I was wondering if you wanted one room or connecting rooms.”
Heat flooded my face, and I wished I could disappear.
“I wouldn’t mind if we shared a room,” I said truthfully, hoping they wouldn’t think poorly of me. “I’d feel safer.”
Thomas nodded and moved to leave, but Charlene stopped him with a slight clearing of her throat.
“Two beds, then?” she asked politely.
I nodded, relieved she didn’t assume the worst. Sleeping next to Emmitt after I had the bad dream, and again at the Compound, had been nerve-wracking, yet completely wonderful, experiences; but I didn’t want to get into the habit of sharing a bed. I had Liam and Aden to think of.
She winked at me. “I know how male minds work. If you don’t clarify, they’ll weasel their way under the covers and have you believing it was your idea.” Thomas snorted but didn’t deny the accusation. “We raised Emmitt to be a good boy. Set your boundaries, and he’ll respect them. But like any werewolf, he’ll look for loopholes,” she said with a laugh.
“Are you done?” Thomas said to his wife with an arched brow. She smiled at him sweetly and stood to plant a light kiss on his lips. He huffed a sigh and shook his head at her.
She turned back toward me. “You’ll learn.” She added with another wink and led Thomas to the door.
I let them step out first. I needed that extra moment to cool my blush.
Emmitt waited for me in the hall. After a small wave goodbye to Charlene and Thomas, he and I walked slowly back to our apartment. We didn’t talk about anything since we were out of the secured meeting room. Instead, he just reached over to hold my hand. I willingly surrendered it.
That night, to Emmitt’s disappointment, I slept snuggled between my brothers. In Aden’s sleep, he tangled his fingers through my hair. Somehow, he knew something bad was coming.
Chapter 17
The next morning I had the daunting task of breaking the news to the boys. Worried they’d cry or beg me to stay, I wasn’t prepared for the cheering or the rush to help me pack.
“Aren’t you going to miss me even a little?” I asked them in a half-teasing tone.
“Mimi,” Liam said rationally. “You said four days. That’s not a long time. We get to have sleepovers with Paul and Henry.”
I laughed and hugged him. Obviously, there was no competing with Paul and Henry.
We went to breakfast, and the boys excitedly greeted Paul and Henry, telling them about all the things they were going to do together.
Mary grinned when she saw my face and gave my arm a quick, reassuring squeeze.
“They’ll want to miss you, but we’re going to keep them so busy they’ll forget to. It will be easier for them that way.”
I knew she was right.
We finished our breakfast then left Liam and Aden with Mary after another round of hugging. Emmitt stayed close beside me as we walked the quiet halls. When we were in the apartment, he spun me around to face him. Understanding filled his gaze. My eyes watered, seeing it. He tucked me tight against his chest, held me for barely a second, then stepped back.
“You don’t have to go.” It was the first objection he’d voiced regarding this trip.
“I do. I want to be free. I want to protect the boys. This is the only way to do it. Why are you saying this now?”
“I see how hard this is, leaving your brothers. I can go alone. There’s no need to come with us.”
“You know better. I’m the bait.” It was the first time during this whole plan that I’d admitted it, and he scowled hearing it. “You’ll keep me safe,” I said seriously. “I don’t doubt that.”
* * * *
A car waited for us just outside the main entrance. Emmitt put our bags in the trunk. The sound of it closing struck me with cold finality. Would I ever see my brothers again?
I’d done the math. Four years with one dinner a month; ten guests each time with few, if any, repeats—I hadn’t paid close attention. Blake led more than five hundred men. The number made the likelihood of my return to the Compound a scary improbability. So why go? One way or another, Blake would come for me. I’d rather it be on my terms with my brothers safe.
Emmitt reached for my hand again and gave it a gentle squeeze. We both slid into the backseat, and I said a quiet hello to Grey and Carlos.
Carlos drove, heading straight to the airport. Grey kept up a stream of conversation, ribbing Carlos about everything from his hairstyle to his driving, both of which were impeccable and precise. Carlos remained stoically quiet. I could see his silence amused Grey. Under different circumstances, I might have found his playful banter diverting.
As it was, my stomach churned with anxiety. I doubted my decision and wondered what would happen to my brothers if I couldn’t return. I leaned into Emmitt. He would care for them...if he made it back.
I casually reached into my pocket, found my phone, and sent a quick text to Nana Wini to ask for her promise to see my brothers somewhere permanent and safe if I didn’t return. Seconds later, Emmitt sighed and pulled me even closer.
Grey turned in his seat. “Wini said to stop worrying. You’re bruising my ego with your doubt. We will keep you safe.”
Darn werewolf telepathy.
“We’ll be at the airport soon,” Grey said, passing back our tickets.
I straightened away from Emmitt and grabbed my ticket before Emmitt could. It would be my first time flying. My reasons for nauseous anxiety continued to grow. I took a deep breath and let it out, feeling Emmitt’s eyes on me. I needed to remember my purpose: Keep my brothers safe by whatever means necessary...and try really hard to come back home.
* * * *
I thought I would be terrified to be back in the same town as Blake but didn’t feel anything but squished as I sat between Carlos and Emmitt in the cab we took to the hotel. Mercifully, it wasn’t a long ride.
Carlos and Grey checked us in while Emmitt grabbed our things from the trunk. He shouldered both bags and held out his hand. I wrapped my cool fingers around his warm ones. My stomach twisted happily at his touch as we walked toward the entrance.
Two glass utility doors opened to a small, chlorine-scented lobby. Carlos and Grey waited just inside and handed Emmitt a room key. We all silently walked the hallway to the left. Their room was two doors down from ours.