Page 119 of Savage Fate

She pouted and stared at her feet. “Sorry,” she muttered.

“It’s fine. This whole situation sucks.”

I abandoned my hot chocolate and the awkward conversation and headed for the door to wait on Fane. Cold air rushed over my cheeks and blew my hair back as I stepped onto the porch. The ice and snow had melted, but temperatures were still frigid compared to what they should be.

After a few minutes, warm tingles crackled over my neck tattoo, and a black SUV pulled in front of Saint’s house. Fane stepped out, marched toward me, and tugged me against him.

My body sagged in his arms, and I inhaled his scent into my lungs, reveling in the familiar, heady fragrance.

“Being away from you fucking sucks.”Even Fane’s voice in my head sounded exhausted.

When he drew back, his face was paler than usual, and dark circles lurked beneath his eyes. I’d experienced the separation anxiety, but Saint’s presence had dulled it.

Fane had it much worse.

A sharp intake of air caught our attention, and we turned to find Layla on the porch, her mouth open as she ogled Fane. Saint appeared beside her and used his index finger to lift her jaw.

Fane gave one of his sexy half smiles. “You must be Layla.”

Crimson flooded her cheeks, and she dissolved into giggles before snapping out of the daze the demon shifter had put her in. “Yeah, that’s right.” She propped her hands on her hips. “And I’m not a fan of yours.”

“Not many are.”

Once he turned toward the car and ambled to the back, she fanned herself. “I guess I understand your dilemma.” She swallowed hard as she studied him, his jeans fitting perfectly around the curve of his ass and his gray Henley tight on his muscled torso.

Saint shook his head. “Go inside, Layla. You’re drooling all over the porch.”

She punched her brother before pivoting and marching inside, taking another peek at Fane before slamming the door.

“She’s lovely,”Fane said through our mental link.

“I think she hates me a little less now that she’s seen you.”

Saint descended the stairs. “What’s this big lead you have?”

Fane jerked his head for us to come to the back of the SUV, and he lifted the door, a savage grin trying to break free.

My mouth dropped when an unconscious and bound female shifter came into view, her raven hair obscuring part of her face.

But I knew exactly who she was.

“How did you find Reese?”

Chapter

Thirty-Five

An unconscious Reesebound and gagged in the back of Fane’s SUV had adrenaline pumping through my veins. This was the first time we’d gotten the upper hand on The Collective.

But how would we use her to get to Barric?

Don’t you mean to get to me?

Images of the Infernal Sol flashed through my mind, and I had to choke back the urge to slap Reese awake and demand she tell me where it was.

Fane leaned against the bumper and crossed his arms. “Reese contacted Marissa, wanting her to join them.”

“And Marissa just gave up her mother?” Saint’s brows furrowed. “She betrayed her for us?”

---