Page 57 of Bloodline Unbound

“No problem. Now, all of you, get out. I’m getting on the road.”

Melinda led us back down and out of her shop. We parted ways, and I made sure Logan was safe in the passenger seat with Melinda’s book, before climbing into the driver’s seat. Seth sprawled in the back.

“Is everyone okay?” I asked. Surveying them both properly to assure myself they were at least physically fine, I waited for them to respond. Both nodded. My body felt heavy, like I could lie down and sleep for a year. The cabin and that amazing king-sized bed were calling my name.

In the quiet of the drive, my thoughts turned to the forest. My girlfriend and my brother had fucked. She’d asked for it and I’d allowed it. It wasn’t all the ways they could have, but the barriers were crashing down and I couldn’t figure out why the hell it didn’t bother me more. Melinda had been pretty damn insistent that I get used to the idea of sharing, but I’d been creeping closer to accepting it ever since Seth had turned up on our doorstep. It was fast, sure, but considering the last few days felt like a fucking lifetime, it didn’t feel fast. It was closer to feeling like it had always been this way.

Logan wanted him and I’d never been good at denying her what she wanted. As long as I got to keep her, that was all that truly mattered to me.

Logan set a hand on my shoulder. “Are you okay?”

I picked up her fingers and brought them to my mouth, pressing a soft kiss to her knuckles as an answer.

We arrived after what felt like hours, but the clock insisted it was only a half an hour later. Naturally I was the one Logan came to once we were inside and settled. I wanted her to come to me, to be the one she always chose first, but I knew what the stoop of my brother’s shoulders meant.

I hugged Logan tighter and stroked her cheek with my thumb. Go to Seth. His heart is a lot softer than he lets on. He’ll need some reassurance after today.

She blinked up at me, but slid out of my arms and walked over to wrap her arms around Seth, resting her head on his chest. The fact that he looked so surprised by the affection made my stomach twist. He held her so carefully, one palm on the back of her head, the other hand spread between her shoulder blades.

It hadn’t been hard to see he wanted her, but I knew him. I knew it was more than that now. I hadn’t properly believed him when he’d said he’d do anything for her. I also knew Logan would deny them both if I gave the word. I could separate them with one request and she would give me that.

I couldn’t ask.

“You two go get ready for bed. I’ll be along in a bit.”

That surprised Seth even more and he looked at me like I’d grown a second head. It went against my most basic instinct to leave them alone together, but it was better for all of us if I got comfortable with it.

I wandered into the kitchen and checked through the cupboards, finding a small collection of teas. It was too late for coffee, so I settled on a cup of peppermint tea instead. I could give them the time it took me to drink it.

Had Seth been lonely in our years apart? Should I have done better when he was younger? I hadn’t been as good to him as I was to Logan, but I’d been young and not remotely prepared to be in charge of another person. If someone dropped a two-year-old on me today, I still wouldn’t enjoy myself, but I felt a lot more equipped to deal with it.

I sighed. I always had the choice to rebuild, and if we were going to stare death in the eye, now was as good a time as any, even if part of that rebuilding was adjusting to Logan loving us both. I loved them both, in different ways, but one didn’t diminish the other.

By the time I’d finished my tea, I was restless. I got ready for bed slowly. My limbs were heavy, my mind fuzzy, and my eyes burned with exhaustion. I should stay up and guard, but I was so fucking tired.

Logan was sound asleep when I stepped into the bedroom. She was tucked into Seth’s chest, his arms around her and his eyes on me.

You okay? he asked.

Getting there.

I slipped in on the other side of Logan. She woke enough to reach behind her to tug me closer, humming contentedly as she pulled my arm around to press along her torso.

Thank you…for today. Seth’s gaze was nervous, almost pleading. For everything, really. I haven’t said it enough.

Don’t worry about it.

No. You don’t get it. I stayed away because you didn’t want me around and I tried to respect that, but I missed you so fucking much. I know we’re fleeing for our lives but I’m grateful, as stupid as that sounds. I didn’t think I’d ever get you back.

Guilt sat heavy in my gut. I’d been totally fine not having him around, beyond occasionally wishing things were different. I hadn’t given much thought to what Seth had wanted because I’d been pissed about Rachel and had never looked any deeper.

I’m sorry I let my anger hold on for so long. We should have talked a hell of a lot sooner than we did. And I want to talk more, but I also need to sleep.

I stretched my hand under the pillows until it reached Seth. I left it there, gently touching his shoulder as I drifted to sleep.

The world warped and the forest erupted around me. Thick, verdant trees above me, mossy ground below me, and a giant moon hanging overhead that illuminated all of it with a silvery glow. It was eerily quiet, but didn’t feel particularly off-putting.

A woman with long, dark hair down to her feet and pale moon-kissed skin materialized out of the dim light of the forest. Hello, Caden.

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