Page 67 of These Dangerous Fates

I fight my own yawn as I twirl one of Ellis’s curls around my finger. “We could just leave. I doubt they would bother trying to find us.”

“We don’t know that for certain. Besides, would you really give up your title?” Cade asks.

A grunt is my only response. Honestly, I haven’t thought about it. I was raised to eventually take my dad’s place as king of the vampires. I’ve always known I wanted to change the way things were done, but I also know I can’t do it alone. It’s not just the vamps who are corrupt. Sterling and Cade’s stories are perfect examples of how the other magical races are just as fucked up. Hell, Ellis’s story is the textbook definition of how corrupt mages and shifters are.

“I would do anything for her,” I muse aloud. “Even if it meant giving up my title and my dreams of changing things.” I look at my beloved and my heart speeds up, as it always does in her presence. “She is my reason for living now.”

Both Sterling and Cade hum their agreement. It’s crazy to think just a month ago we were living our lives and enjoying the fruits single life had to offer. Now, all three of us are tied to this woman, and none of us would change a damn thing.

“I want him dead,” Sterling says quietly from his chair, his eyes like chips of ice. “Sam. I want him to suffer for everything he’s done to her.”

“Her dad, too,” Cade says.

“Thomas Kennedy isn’t my dad,” Ellis says sleepily.

Cade and Sterling’s brows furrow as their focus lands on Ellis. She struggles to sit up and I help her lean against the headboard next to me. She rubs her eyes and yawns before looking at me with sleep-filled eyes.

I smile. She looks so fucking adorable when she first wakes up. “Are you hungry? Thirsty?” I ask.

“A little.” She exhales heavily and lays her head on my shoulder. “Actually, I could really use some coffee.”

“Coffee it is,” Cade says as he jumps up with more energy than I thought he had.

As the door shuts behind him, I wrap my arm around her waist, needing to touch her. My tension melts away with her skin touching mine and her scent calming my nerves. My girl is back where she belongs.

Ellis shifts her head so she’s looking at Sterling. “Are you okay?” she asks.

“I’ll be fine. Just tired.” The shifter hesitates before looking at her.

“We probably need to talk,” she says to Sterling. “I have a lot of questions.”

“We will,” he agrees. “But there is a lot we have to discuss first regarding what just happened.”

“I’m sorry,” she whispers, drawing in on herself. “Are you mad?”

Unease and regret roll off of her. I gently grasp her chin and make sure she’s looking at me. “We’re not mad. Scared, yes, but not mad.”

She swallows and tears build along her lashes.

I wipe away one that escapes. “You scared us, baby girl. Realizing you were gone, then finding out Sam took you.” I shake my head, pushing down the fear that rises with the memory. “It was horrible. My entire world came to a crashing halt.”

Her lips tremble, and she attempts to calm herself by taking a deep breath. But more tears slide down her cheeks as she squeezes her eyes shut.

I wipe away each one. “We don’t want to keep you locked up, Ellis. But it's not safe for you right now,” I say quietly. “Until we can take Sam out of the picture, you need to stay with one of us. You can’t go off by yourself. Your safety is our top priority. If you get hurt or …” I trail off, unable to finish that thought.

She nods her head. “It won’t happen again. I promise. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean for any of that to happen.”

“We know.” I kiss her forehead and rub circles on her back until her tears dry.

When Cade returns carrying a tray laden with coffee and an assortment of breakfast foods, he sets it on Ellis’s lap, and takes his spot next to her again. Steam rises from a mug and she picks it up, bringing it to her face. As she inhales, I swear I see some of the anxiety lift from her shoulders.

“Thank you,” she says between sips. She looks around the room at all of us and her brow furrows. Setting the mug down, she says, “You all look exhausted. Maybe you should rest before we talk.”

I shake my head. “We might as well get it over with. Besides, the sooner we know what’s going on, the sooner we can make plans on how to keep you safe.”

She shifts on the bed and takes a bite of bacon. “Okay. Where do I start?”

“You said Thomas Kennedy wasn’t your dad. What did you mean?” Cade asks as he snags a piece of bacon off her plate.

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