Page 57 of Shadow Bound

I hate to admit it, but Ranger backing me up makes me feel good. I’m not someone who seeks approval, but knowing that Ransom’s twin no longer thinks of me as the enemy is nice. I don’t think I’ll ever have Ryker on my side, there is too much water under the bridge for him to accept me. I get it and can’t fault him for his anger. As long as he keeps his hands and claws to himself, we’ll be golden.

Remington, who’s sitting beside Ryker on the couch across from me, suddenly slaps Ryker on the back of the head. “Enough. You can glare all you want, but she isn’t going anywhere. So, buck the fuck up. You’re going to give yourself wrinkles.”

Ryker bares his teeth at his sister. “Remington, not only was she a soldier of Sterling’s, hermotheris also one of the bad guys. How can you all sit here pretending she isn’t the enemy?”

“Nessa is only my mother by DNA,” I remind him with a pointed look. “It’s not like she gave birth to me and nurtured me. She just trained me and sometimes tortured me.”

There’s a low growl from where Ransom sits, but I elect to ignore him, not wanting to add to the mental exhaustion I’m already feeling. In the past hour, I’ve started to feel even worse. The idea of going and laying down for a while sounds really appealing right now. Anything other than repeatedly defending myself and my past sounds appealing though.

“We can’t fault her for having shitty parents,” Winslow pipes in. “Might I remind you whomyparents are?”

I cock my head. “Your birth or adoptive parents?”

“Adoptive,” she clarifies. “My birth mom was a great person. I have no idea who my biological dad is.”

I do. Needing to change the subject from parents, I sit forward in my seat, leaning my elbows on my knees. “We need to figure out what Noah has been up to.” I look back at Ryker who despite Remington’s scolding, still glares at me. “We also need to call Jax. It’s time for Pruitt to come home.” At the mention of his mate’s name, the harsh lines on his face soften and the fire that has been burning in his blue eyes goes out.

Ryker and Pruitt haven’t had it easy. Their love hasn’t been easily attainable for them. No one should have to fight as hard as these two have for each other. Ryker is a mess—volatile—right now because he needs his mate. I can’t fault him for needing the reason he breathes.

“She can come home?” He sits up straighter.

I worry my bottom lip. “I wouldn’t get too excited; she needs to come home because Nessa and Sterling know she’s alive. Nessa is out there looking for her, and she will find her. Jax is strong, but Nessa has centuries of experience on him. She also never tires. He needs backup. Pruitt needs you all there to protect her.”

“If we bring her home, won’t Nessa know she’s here? Nessa will come straight here,” Winslow wonders.

“You’re using Pruitt as bait to draw in your mom?” Ranger asks a second later, connecting the dots.

“You’re using mymateasbait?” Ryker growls, flying up from his seat to stand. Ransom mirrors his move, but I don’t miss that he angles his body between his brother and me again.

“I told you not to get excited.” I shrug unapologetically. “I’m not wrong in saying Pru needs more protection, but this is the best way to get Nessa. You all want Sterling gone, right?”

They all stiffly nod. “Then you need Nessa out of the way. She’s his strength, his bodyguard. Without her around, he’ll be vulnerable.” I’ve already explained this to them, but it feels prudent I do it again, so they truly understand how important eliminating Nessa is. “You all need Sterling gone so you guys can live your happily ever afters with your mates in peace. As long as Sterling is out there, you will be looking over your shoulders—living in constant worry he’s going to show up and ruin things for you.” I look at Ryker. “I knowthis isn’t the life you want to live with Pruitt.”

His jaw clenches as he contemplates my words. After a minute of silence, he sneers at me. “You can stay, but you’re not to be alone. Someone needs to watch your untrustworthy ass at all times.”

“I need a babysitter?”

“More like a prison guard detail,” he corrects.

“We’ll watch her. She can come stay with Winnie and me.” Ranger’s offer almost makes me fall over in shock.

“Cool with me.” Winslow nods.

“I’llwatch her,” Ransom snaps at them. “We’ll stay with you though, because I don’t want Ryker and her in the same house.”

Ranger nods at his twin. “Probably for the best they’re separated. Don’t need one of them slitting the other’s throat while they sleep.”

“Not like he’d see me coming,” I mutter under my breath.

Ryker’s chest rumbles. “That’s another thing, while you’re on pack territory, you’re not allowed to use your shadow gift. I need you in plain view where everyone can see you. There will be none of that lurking you’re so skilled at.”

“I don’t have a reason to hide.” My shoulders shrug, not really put out by the new rule.

“You’ll also keep your fangs to yourself, vamp. There will be no feeding off anyone while you’re here.”

I can’t stop the snort that escapes me. “Did you miss the part where I’m no longer interested in killing innocent people?”

“Did you miss the part where I don’t trust you?” Ryker retorts.

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