Page 34 of Séance

“Are you okay?” Ellis circles the firepit, his brows dipped in concern, only to get distracted when he slips on…ice? What the fuck? It’s nearly seventy degrees outside. He barely catches himself in time to prevent himself from landing in the firepit.

Gunner bristles and peers around the yard, trying to figure out what set her off, but I already know what he’ll find—nothing.

Something triggered her.

Though she’s blinking her eyes, it doesn’t disguise that they are awash with tears. “I…I…I should go.”

She doesn’t spare us another glance as she flees, her feet almost going out from under her as she steps on the ice. Again, what the fuck? I’m distracted when she bursts into the house, not sparing the other guys a glance in her rush.

James instantly drops the items in his arms, not caring as they scatter across the floor. He steps over the chaos he created with practiced ease, moving to go after her, but Hicks blocks his way and the two of them watch her practically sprint out the door.

Feeling partially responsible, I follow her at a distance, the need to make sure she is safe pushing me hard. Something about seeing her run from me has acid swirling in my gut. “I’ll make sure she gets home.”

“Gunner, go with him,” Hicks orders, then he turns toward James and points to the disaster zone of a kitchen. “You, clean up your mess.”

James barely hears him as he gazes at the empty doorway. He turns toward me, and I nod at his silent plea. “I’ll make sure she’s safe.”

Jameson might act like an overeager puppy, but that just means his senses are sharper than others. He’s subdued as he follows the command, concern clouding his eyes. The dark part of him that seeks vengeance for women who have been wronged makes an appearance, but he wrangles his violent impulses back by sheer will alone.

He knows better than anyone else that it’s too soon for her to speak about her trauma.

If he pushes, he’ll lose her, and he won’t risk it.

The outside air is brisk, almost cold, which is weird since it’s August. I pick up my pace as Rue hurries across the yard. Gunner follows like a hulking shadow, never saying a word or making a sound. While he might be big, people often underestimate how fast he can move.

He’s silent and deadly.

“She’s running from us,” Gunner mutters, his face a hard mask, but his blue eyes are devastated. His hands are balled into fists, and I know he’s fighting the impulse to snatch her against his chest and kill anyone who dares to get close.

“She’s running from her past,” I correct, though it’s hard to tell the difference right now. I move faster when her slim form almost disappears in the darkness.

“She should be running toward us, not away,” Gunner grumbles, obviously pained by the turn of events.

By the time we reach the edges of her driveway, she’s fumbling with her keys. We wait patiently at the bottom of the porch steps until she gets the door open. She slips inside but stops short of slamming it in our faces. Though she doesn’t look at us, I can sense her waiting on the other side.

“We’ll wait until you turn the lock.” I keep my voice soft, not wanting to send her spiraling more. “If you need anything, we’ll be right next door. Okay?”

The door opens a tiny bit, enough for me to see her peering at us. Whatever frightened her is still riding her hard, but it’s no longer in control, and I breathe a sigh of relief. Rue nods gratefully, then she shuts the door with a soft snick.

A second later, the lock engages.

We stay a moment longer, part of me hoping she will call out for us, but the night remains silent. It’s only when the light in her room flicks on that I reluctantly climb down the steps, not even aware I crept onto the porch to stand below her window.

With a heavy sigh of defeat, Gunner reluctantly falls into step beside me, casting a murderous look at the closed door like he wants to beat it down. The walk back across the yard is silent. As we near the house, Gunner looks at his car with a conflicted expression.

I give him an out. “Why don’t you stay here tonight? I’m sure Hicks will want a rundown on what happened.”

Gunner nods absently, heading toward the house without a second thought, glad to have the choice taken from him. “I need to get up early to work in the morning.”

“I’ll go with you.” I run a hand down my face, the long day leaving me exhausted. I twist then turn my head from side to side, popping the bones in my neck as I prepare to deal with my twin.

The other three are waiting for us in the kitchen, Hicks with a beer in his hand. Gunner doesn’t even glance at them as he heads toward the fridge to grab one for himself, then he offers me one.

While I normally don’t drink, I know I won’t be able to unwind without one. “She’s home safe.”

Like a dam bursts, James takes that as permission to speak. He talks so fast that his words nearly trip over themselves. “What the fuck happened? I was only gone for a few seconds. What did you fuckers do?”

“We were just watching the fire and waiting for you to return,” Ellis answers, looking bewildered.

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