Page 100 of Back In the Shadows

“Looks like everyone is happy that you’re here, including me,” Dope said, standing.

“How were the kids?” Sebastian asked, giving Dope a slap on the shoulder.

“Busy. They kept us busy. My ass is tired.” He chuckled, beaming at the twins.

“You two look like you need some coffee,” Cami said as she headed to the kitchen.

Alaric and I joined her and left Sebastian and Dope to catch up.

“You look exhausted. How are you holding up?”

I brushed the stray hair from my eyes and smiled. “I’m super glad to be back, and even happier to stay for a while. I’ve missed Portland.”

Cami gave me a concerned look as she placed a coffee cup beneath the spout of the espresso machine. “What about Sebastian? He’s back on Death’s stomping grounds, isn’t he worried?”

“No. We’ll manage it like we always do.” I couldn’t tell her we had immunity for anything that Death did. The thought speared my chest like a thousand needles because the price was too high. I would never give Verity to the Pied Piper. Never.

Cami waved her hand in front of my face. “Where’d you go?”

“Sorry. Just a lot to process. Xavier won’t be a problem any longer.” I needed to let her know that I wasn’t in danger from him at least.

Her brows shot up. “Did … is he …”

“Alive? Yes, but he won’t ever walk again. We traded him to the man that was behind my kidnapping for our freedom and protection.” That was all I was willing to tell her.

Her lips formed an O. “That’s good news then. I won’t ask any more questions because I get the feeling I don’t want to hear the answers.”

I sat at the table and adjusted Alaric on my lap. He stuck his fist in his mouth, slurping loudly.

“I won’t tell you anything that would hurt you. Trust me on that one.”

She started the next cup of coffee and leaned against the granite counter. “I know and at first it pissed me off, but I wasjust upset about Ryan and … Death.” She shook her head. “I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to calling him that.”

“It will grow on you and so will he. All I can say is that no one better fuck with you or there will be consequences.” I shot her a knowing look and grinned.

“Oh hell, Ella. Seriously? He can’t go around”—she moved her finger across her throat like she was slitting her neck—“deleting everyone that annoys me. No one would be left in this city.”

I giggled, grateful for the lighter conversation.

“It’s so not funny.”

“It really is.” I blew on my coffee and took a sip. Cami disappeared and delivered Sebastian his cup. We were definitely gaining some ground with her accepting him.

She returned a minute later and sat at the table with me.

“Have you talked to Ryan?”

Cami pursed her lips, sadness flashing in her gaze. “Yeah.”

“And?” I couldn’t help but remain hopeful that they could work things out. I understood where Cami was coming from, but it was hard to see her so unhappy. Him too.

“I told him it was over. I just can’t sleep next to someone that has a hidden life. If he got caught, I would go down with him too. It’s dangerous, and you and Sebastian keep me busy enough trying to dodge the shit you two stir up.”

Cami’s expression was sad and lost, and my heart ached for her. Even though she tried to hide it, she was clearly devastated by Ryan’s betrayal. I suspected it was harder to leave someone when you were still madly in love with them. If I could, I would erase all her pain just to see her happy again. She deserved nothing less.

“Not sure I can disagree with that logic. I know that he kept you out of his work to keep you safe, but if I were in a serious commitment with Sebastian and learned about Death the wayyou did, I would be upset and most likely end the relationship too.” I didn’t tell her that I’d contemplated running, but I knew that Death would track me down, so it was a moot point. Honestly, I hadn’t ever wanted to leave him, I was just scared about a life with a serial killer. Now, I was running from a different monster, the Pied Piper.

We continued to chat over coffee until it was time to put the kids down for a nap. I needed one as well, but I knew I wouldn’t sleep unless Sebastian held me.

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