Page 35 of Sparks Flying

“I’m going to place my bet with Elias and say I’m not going to be the newest for long.”

“You can’t tell anyone about this,” Bailey said. “I’m here on a mission and let’s just say there have been issues with teams in the past. This isn’t good timing for me.”

“Oh honey, it never is,” Gracie told her. “And you aren’t exactly a raven. This is going to be the talk of Ravenden for years to come.”

“Knock it off Gracie. You’re going to freak her out.”

“I’m surprised you aren’t freaking out.”

“Pretty sure that’s because of the concussion,” Bailey said.

I chuckled. “Maybe.”

“You guys, I’m being serious. No one can know about this.”

I actually growled in response.

“I thought I was losing it, and now I know I wasn’t. I was just feeling things I didn’t think I should be feeling. I had to cancel a date last night because I couldn’t stomach being with anyone else. Even if we don’t say a word, people will notice.”

She scowled at me.

“What?” I asked.

We were at a stop light, and I caught Gracie watching us through the rearview mirror.

“Sounds like your reputation proceeds you,” she warned me.

I frowned. “You can’t hold it against me when I didn’t even know you existed.”

But there was disappointment in her eyes when Bailey finally looked at me. With a sad smile, she nodded. “You’re right.”

Why did that affirmation cut me to my core?

Gracie parked her car in the garage of the apartment complex she and Ryan lived in. They occupied half of the top floor while Elias and Kim owned the other half.

“This isn’t my motel,” Bailey said.

“I know. But I figured you two probably need to talk, and Dean needs a place to rest. Come on up. You’re safe here and we’ll keep your secret for as long as necessary. I don’t know what mating males are like in the wolf world, but ravens become quite volatile and demanding. You’ll need to spend time together to keep it under control if you truly don’t want people talking.”

“No one’s going to guess it’s me. I’m a wolf.”

“Yet I guessed immediately, and Elias and Ryan have been talking about it all day. They even have a bet going right now. All within the family. Don’t worry. We protect each other.”

“I don’t know about this.”

I hated the direction this conversation was going. I reached over and linked my fingers with hers. “Stay. Please.”

She looked into my eyes, and I saw her resolve melt as she nodded her head.

I helped her out of the car and then quietly led her to the elevator and up to Ryan and Gracie’s apartment.

“Thank you,” I mouthed to Gracie as she opened the door and held it for us to enter.

She nodded.

“Gracie?” Ryan called out.

“I’m back.”

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