Page 78 of Firedrake Betrayal
I’d thought he would be itching to leave with his hesitation to investigate the mountains where Atticus is likely hiding. “You don’t think it’s a good idea?”
“I think we need to talk out all the pros and cons before jumping into the car and taking off. Staying has its risks, but so does leaving. Go to bed. I’m going to stay up for a bit, maybe let my wolf out for a run.”
“Why do I think it’s less of a run and more making sure no one else attacks?” I ask.
He gives me a lopsided smile. “It’s a little of both. Go on up. Isaiah, you look like you need to lie down and Patten?—”
“Will go up with Jade.” Patten’s eyes narrow at Dominik. “After this talk of New York penthouses, I’d like to make sure she doesn’t wind up back in one.”
On my way upstairs with Patten, I change direction and walk over to Isaiah. “Can I hug you?”
His brow furrows. “Why would you want to do that?”
“I just do.”
He studies me for a beat, as if he can’t quite work me out, and then nods.
I wrap my arms around his hips and press my cheek against his chest as I squeeze, wanting to comfort him. “It wasn’t your fault, and I don’t see you any differently than how I saw you before.”
He gives me a far too brief squeeze, kissing the top of my head. “Good night,ma belle. I’ll stay and watch the house with Shep.”
Patten saidma bellewas French for beautiful. I’m not, but I will never stop feeling grateful that these three men think I am.
As I head for the stairs, I notice Dominik is watching me. I thought he would be glaring because I hugged Isaiah and I’m still refusing to go with him to New York.
He looks confused.
Upstairs, Patten and I brush our teeth and wash our faces.
In his room, as he lies under the covers in bed, I sit cross-legged on top of the comforter, wearing one of his T-shirts, not ready to sleep yet.
“Isaiah isn’t okay, is he?” I ask.
Patten shakes his head. “He saved my life from the shooter. I didn’t see a damn thing until after he shoved me to the ground, and now he’s beating himself up over it.”
“What did you see?”
“A bullet hole.”
I swallow hard, absorbing how close I came to losing him. That near miss confirms that leaving is the best thing for all of us. “One of Atticus’s guards?”
He nods. “I think so. No stake means it was me they wanted. It could be Atticus wanting to take us out one by one. It could have been my da. Or maybe this is something else.”
I hope it’s not something else. This is plenty to deal with.
“And Isaiah lost control?” I lower my voice, hoping he can’t hear from downstairs.
Patten’s expression turns thoughtful as he pillows his head with folded arms.
It’s important that I learn to wield my slowly emerging powers. If it wasn’t, I’d crawl up this bed, slip under the covers with Patten, and rest my head against his bare chest.
“No, I don’t think he lost control. He does, but I don’t. He was angry, and he had a good reason to be. If someone had taken a pot shot at him, I’d have killed the guy too. I tried telling Isaiah, but…”
“He doesn’t see it the same way?”
He shakes his head again.
And he wouldn’t. He drained Amelie, the woman he loved, and now he doesn’t trust himself to feed on a person without killing them.
