Page 50 of Crimson Storm

“Yes. He did. But the fact he’s not available doesn’t change my feelings. I loved him. I still do.”

Shane reached for my hand, taking it inside his own. “I get it. Just know that I’m here for you—as a friend. And if you ever feel ready for something more...”

I interrupted, fighting tears. “Thanks. We should both try to get some sleep. You’ve got to fly home tomorrow.”And I have to face Imogen.

And Reece.

Giving me a tight smile, Shane said, “You’re right. You three are making me nocturnal. I’m actually starting to get tired at dawn.”

Turning away from the guy who wanted to be with me, I curled up on my side and thought of the one who didn’t.

I wrapped my hand around the pendant that contained his blood, reliving some of the sweeter moments we’d shared, the way he’d looked at me, the times he’d held me... and kissed me.

What a mess I was. Reece probably never even thought of me anymore, and I was still so consumed with him I couldn’t manage a simple kiss with another guy.

A familiar, deep ache echoed in my chest. How would I ever bring myself to move on with someone new?

No one was ever going to replace Reece in my heart.

Tomorrow I would see him again—if Imogen didn’t kill me first for daring to return to the Bastion.

Either way, my homecoming was bound to be excruciating.

25

Beyond My Expectations

At nightfall, we left the barn and the 18-wheeler behind.

Walking to my family’s home, we passed scenery as familiar to me as the sight of my own hands. Rolling hills and pastures dotted with farmhouses and wooden farm buildings.

“It’s really peaceful here,” Kelly said, inhaling the scents around us—earth, evergreen boughs, chimney smoke. “It seems like such a nice place to grow up.”

“It was, though I didn’t appreciate it at the time,” I confessed.

“I’ve gotta admit there’s something to be said for being isolated from the rest of the world,” Heather said. “This seems like just about the safest place on earth. Especially these days.”

It had been—once. Not so much after I’d turned, and my father had told me to leave the community. How would he react to seeing me tonight? Would he reject me again and refuse to help us?

“Speaking of being isolated from the world, when we get to the Bastion tonight, maybe I should go in alone first,” I said. “If everything’s okay, I’ll come out and get you two.”

Shane gave me an alert glance. “I thought you were going there to besafe. Is there some kind of danger to you at this place?”

“I’ll be fine.”

“As long as Imogen doesn’t give the off-with-her-head order,” Heather said.

Shane’s expression changed from interest to anger. “Now hold on a minute. You told me you were thrown out. You didn’t say anything about the death penalty for returning.”

He shot a glance at Heather. “Youarejoking about that off-with-her-head thing, right?”

She scrunched up her face and shrugged her shoulders. “Not really.”

Now Shane’s gaze returned to me. “You can’t go.”

“I have to.”

“Well then I’m going with you.”

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