Page 132 of Lost
“I certainly don’t plan to. Trevor, let’s get out of here, shall we?”
Moving toward the entrance of the alley, I allow my guard to poke his head out before we continue to walk together. Briar is outside of the car, appearing worried, and it doesn’t dissipate as she sees Trevor’s limp.
“I’ll see you this weekend, I suppose, Cian?” I ask.
“Yes,”he grunts. “I’ll text you with a time so we can have a unified front, Hollis. I already spoke to your grandfather and he said that he would be there with your grandmother.”
“Cian, do you really think?—”
“She’s not a wilting flower, Hollis. Your grandmother will put your parents in their place if it’s needed. I’ll talk to you later,”he says, ending the call.
“What’s wrong with your leg?” I ask Trevor, opening my group chat with my pack. I can feel panic through the bond, and messages of worry are popping up in the chat.
Me
Emilia is a cunt. She blames me for having ROWS dismantled as of noon today. I’m fine. I’m ready for some fun, guys. I also want kisses and snuggles.
Brice
I hate to say it, but that woman needs to be buried alive in a dark hole.
Me
Awww, am I rubbing off on you, Daddy?
Smirking, I put my phone away and check my clothes to make sure I don’t have trash attached to them. Pulling out a perfume bottle, I sigh as I quickly spray myself for good measure.
“Harold kicked it and made it go numb. I’ll be fine. Nothing slows you down, does it?” Trevor asks in awe.
“Other than being curb stomped by that big fucker? No.”
“The fuck is wrong with people?” he grumbles, shaking his head. “I’m used to being around people who are obviously dangerous. Emilia looks like someone’s grandmother.”
“And that’s why people have let her get away with so much for so long,” I say, nodding as Briar opens the back door for me to slide into the car. “If you want to survive in this city, remember that very few people will show you what they’re capable of, Trevor.”
“Amen to that,” Briar mutters under her breath, closing the door behind my guard once he’s inside the car. A few minutes later, we’re back on the road, and I’m beginning to wind down from both the bloodlust and adrenaline dump.
The second I step out of the vehicle at the skating rink, I’m surrounded by my pack and sister. Caleb and Lars carefully watch for any signs of pain to injury before they relax.
“I’m fine,” I promise. “It’s nothing that a hot chocolate can’t fix.”
“Then that’s what you’ll get,” Malcolm rumbles, holding me tightly against him.
I notice that they’re all careful to stay close to me, but I don’t mind. Life is too short to keep people at bay. Nova skates next to me, offering sidelong glances.
“Yes?” I tease her, smiling as snow begins to fall on us. I don’t get to ice skate enough, and I really love this outside rink.
“I feel like trouble just tends to find us,” she grumbles.
Shaking my head, I link my arm in hers.
“When you stand as a safe place for people, it’s inevitable that there will be those who hate that,” I remind her. “I think the idea is that if they remove you from the playing board they’ll leave less light in the world. The reality is that everyone you’ve ever touched carries your light inside of them. Killing us won’tchange that. I’m pretty difficult to kill, and you’re purposely off the grid.”
“I don’t love how nonchalant you are about that,” she says. “I do like the idea that we leave light behind in the people we help.”
“I have my moments,” I tease her. “If it helps, my life isn’t typically this exciting.”
Nova purses her lips that remind me so much of mine as I laugh. Unlinking my arm with hers, I push her toward Tyde.
