Page 69 of Slaying With Sylphs

“I want you safe,” Connall growls. “Ineedyou safe, Lou. If something happened to you, I…I…” He purses his lips, a muscle twitching in his jaw.

“Okay.” This is important to them; that much is clear. I look at them both. “Are you sure this won’t feel weird to you, like we’re rushing something?’

“I’ll sleep on the sofa, if you like.” Connall pulls me into his arms. “But if you stay here, I’ll lie awake all night worrying about your safety.” He glances up at the ceiling as the inn lets out a terrible noise. “No offense, Annabelle.”

Home. Nothing has felt like home to me since Caroline died. Everything has felt out of place. She was my big sister and best friend. My heart kicks and stutters.

“I’ll pack a bag now.” Turning from them, I squeeze Catherine’s forearm. “Will you feel okay here by yourself?”

“I asked her to come too,” Connall says.

Catherine shakes her head, looking around the room at the inn. “Between Alo next door and the Annabelle, I feel quite comfortable, thank you.” She smiles weakly at me. “This is probably a good idea, darling girl.”

I nod, because I can’t think of anything else to say about our situation.

The next half hour is a blur. Reality sinks in hard. Something dark is here in Ever,insidethe magical wards meant to keep us safe. Danger lurks, and I can’t help but feel like I’m somehow involved.

The guys help me pack, and it’s not until Dirk grabs the box of letters I write at night to Catherine that I stop in place, staring. He takes my pen and tucks it carefully into a bag, along with the stack of blank paper. My heart clenches watching him with the letters. He knows how special that box is because he’s been damn spying on me since I arrived, but somehow, it doesn’t upset me.

Being there, being constant, I think that’s Dirk’s love language. Or maybe it’s stalking. I should write the dude who wrote that love languages book and let him know he missed one.

Dirk turns to face me, a half-smile curving his beautiful lips. Slinging the bag strap over his shoulder, he stalks across the room to me. He pulls me into his arms, bends down and places a tender kiss on my forehead. “I couldnae be more excited for this, Louanna, despite the circumstances. It’s a silver lining, if there’s one tae be found.”

I smirk. “If I didn’t know you wouldn’t attack someone, I’d almost think you’d organized a reason for us to have to live under one roof.”

He feigns being offended. “Och, Louanna. ‘Twas Connall’s idea. I was perfectly happy floating around in the air to keep watch.”

A warm body presses to my back, a hand sliding around my side and up my front to rest between my breasts. Dirk’s eyes flash with hunger as he looks over my shoulder.

Connall presses me harder to Dirk. “Let’s get her home and settled.” Steel threads his tone as I remember something Lola told me Richard once said about Connall.

He’s a lover, not a fighter, but he’ll fight tooth and nail for those he loves.

I can see that in the way he’s handling this. Not that I think he loves me, not yet, but his need to protect runs deep.

I glance up at Connall. “What about my nieces? What about the rest of town?”

He strokes my jawline, his teeth tightly grit. He looks stressed as fuck.

“I suspect your nieces will want to be with their mates, but your family is always welcome in my home.”

I consider that, looking between the two males. Nipping the edge of my lip, I nod.

“You’re right, they won’t want to leave their mates. But when we get to your place, I want to call them anyhow.”

“Of course,” Dirk says. “Anything you need, my sweet.”

We leave the Annabelle and head for Shifter Hollow, the guys refusing to let me carry any bags. When we get to Connall’s place, he’s already got dinner started—lasagna’s cooking in the oven. Cheesy, tomatoey smells fill the main living area.

“I’m putting you in my room,” he declares, stalking toward his bedroom with two bags over his broad shoulders.

“Oh, are you finally allowing me to see it?” I tease as Dirk and I trail after him.

He pushes the door open and deposits my bags just inside. Looking up, he crooks his finger at me. “Last night, I lay awake thinking about you all night. And then today, it occurred to me that you could stay here. And I got more and more riled up until having you here overtook all other conscious thought. Come here, Lou.”

I obey until I’m close enough to touch him.

He plays with a long strand of my hair. “Call your nieces, if you like, and then Dirk and I can help you unpack. Whatever you need. I just…” His voice trails off as he rubs my arms with his big, warm hands. Bright green eyes flick to mine. “If I can keep you hidden away in my home, Dirk and I can keep you safe. I have to believe that. And Ihaveto keep you safe, I have to. Do?—”

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