Page 67 of Kiss the Dawn
“It won’t,” Ordell said. “I give you my word.”
The children didn’t wake,not even when we carried them to Betsy and used wrist straps to secure them to the bed in the back. Bella rained kisses on their cheeks, and they didn’t wake then either.
Dash was last to say goodbye, running his hand over their heads and telling them how much he lovedthem. His dark eyes were bright with anger and tears as we closed the door.
“I think the curse is keeping them asleep for now,” Ordell said. But he didn’t sound too sure. “I’ll contact you with more answers once I have them.” Finally, his gaze settled on me. “I’m sorry, Orina. Sorry I won’t be here.”
I swallowed down my regret and smiled up at him. “It’s not forever.”
His beautiful sunny blues lit up my heart. “No, angel, it’s not.” He nudged my chin up with the crook of his finger and pressed a soft kiss to my lips.
My vision blurred, and I fell in to hug him tight.
He wrapped me in his powerful arms and held me against his solid frame for several beats.
“I love you.” I breathed him in. “Be safe.”
“I love you too, and I will. I promise.”
I watched him drive away, standing apart from Dash and Bella, my heart bruised and sad for us all.
This curse had to end and soon.
It was time to immerse myself in Ezekiel.
It was time to fall in love.
Chapter 24
The next day went quickly, with more cases showing up, including another missing persons report, which cut our morning catch-up short. Although Ordell had given me permission to tell my team about the triplets, I decided to keep what had happened to them to myself for now. It was his business, and it felt wrong to share it.
The end of the day came as a relief.
Merry had plans to visit Crush’s club, and Holly had a date, while Padma prepared for an evening to herself.
Merry and Holly left first, and it was just Padma and me locking up.
“Are you sure you want to go back to the chapter house alone?”
“Positive.”
“I could come with you if you like.”
“No, you best stay out of Old Town like Hemlock suggested. I doubt you’ll bump into Ezekiel, but why take the risk?”
I hadn’t told her about the other night and how Ezekiel had shown up in my room. I doubted a boundary would keep him away if he wanted to see me.
“I don’t think we have to worry about Ezekiel.”
She shrugged on her coat. “Fine. But I don’t want you to come. I want to go alone.” She shot me an apologetic look. “Is that okay?”
“Of course.”
“Sorry.”
“Don’t be. I should have read between the lines.” We stepped outside, and I locked the doors.
“What are your plans?” Padma asked.
