Page 33 of Daring Her Vampires
“Aren’t you afraid he’ll hurt you?” Luca scowls.
“How could he hurt me more? I’m not a little girl anymore. No thanks to him, I know my power and how to use it to my advantage. He can’t cause me pain anymore,” I grit out.
“I don’t know if that's true,” Atlas says softly, his gaze on my wet cheeks.
“Yes, the memories are painful. Remembering Mom is sad. I wish I could have met her.” I sit straight. “I raised myself. I protected myself. I made it. He can’t do anything to ruin my accomplishments. When the flowers come, I don’t think about him, but her. I put them in water and keep them healthy as long as I can. It is a way to remember a woman who didn’t get to live a life.” I scoot forward in my seat. “I’ve worked my ass off. I’ve made mistakes, but I’ve also done wonderful things. I opened several businesses, lived in great places, and have relied on no one. She lives through me. I finally have a family.” My throat closes. “They show me love, give me hugs, and give a shit about my safety.
“Do I sometimes annoy them? Yes. Sometimes, they get on my nerves. But no matter what, they love me, and I love them. My dad can never take that away. If I were in trouble, all those people you met would be here in a minute. They would dropanything to stand in front of me if Dad showed up at my door. I don’t fear him. He should fear them.” I exhale roughly. “And me. I finally have the family I always dreamed of, and the only thing that’s been missing is a mate.” I stand up and walk around the coffee table in front of them. “I know it’s barely been two days, but I feel you. I know we will be happy together.”
“Little Bunny,” Atlas rumbles, and it makes me shiver. He gets to his feet, circles my waist, and pulls me to his chest. “We will give you a home.” He buries his face in my hair. I hug him back, smelling his comforting scent.
“We will plant flowers in the yard,” Luca breathes, and I stare at him. “For your mom and mine.”
My heart thuds, and I leave Atlas. “Thank you.” He picks me up easily, his mouth against my neck, and I wrap my arms around his neck.
Their arms feel right, like I have come home. Humans don’t understand the immediate connections shifters have with their mates. It would be odd for them to want to be with someone forever after a day. My rabbit is in bliss, taking comfort within the arms of our boyfriends. She is pushing to complete the bond. We have been through hell, but we’ve also lived an amazing life. The things I have experienced led me to these two men. I know a good thing when I see it, and I won’t let them go.
Suddenly, I jerk back, Saylor’s face flashing behind my eyes.“Sally.”It’s her voice in my head, screaming.
“Tricks,” Luca growls, setting me down.
“Sally, what is it?” Atlas asks.
“Shit,” I gasp. I see Saylor on her bed, writhing in pain. “We have to go.” I wrap my hand around my stomach. My vision is like being underwater. The guys are there, but in the background, all I can see is Saylor. “You have to get me to Saylor. She needs me. Her baby is coming.”
“Where?” Atlas asks.
“Get my phone out of my pocket,” I instruct, grabbing Luca’s shirt to balance. “Call Laken. He’ll tell you where. Shit, the vision isn’t going away.”
“Does this normally happen?” Atlas slides my phone out.
“No. They always go away. I think she’s in trouble.” All I feel is panic. Luca picks me up, and they put on my shoes. “Get me there as fast as you can.”
“Blurring will make you sick,” Luca says.
“I don’t care. She needs me now.” I hear Atlas speaking to Laken, but I can’t make out the words. I’m lifted, and pressed to Luca’s chest. He whispers words of reassurance. I hold onto his neck, hiding my face. Saylor is still screaming.
Something is wrong with the baby.
Luca glides to a stop outside Saylor and Elijah’s cottage. My eyes clear the moment he sets me down.
“Careful,” he murmurs.
“I’m alright.” Surprisingly, I am. Shifters aren’t meant to move at such a high rate of speed. It would have been enjoyable if my mind hadn’t been consumed with fear and urgency. I turn to the door, and Elijah flies through it. He’s not wearing his hat. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him without it. His eyes are wild.
“Sally,” he rasps. “Something’s wrong. The Doc kicked me out. You have to tell him to let me in. I can’t lose her. I can’t. I can’t lose the baby. You know.” He grabs my hands, and I hold in the wince from his tight grip. “You know I’ll be nothing without her. She’s screaming for you. I was about to call you. Fuck.” He bows his head. “Please, Sally. I don’t know what to do. I can’t—” He’s too overcome with emotion to go on.
“The baby is breech.” I look at Elijah’s brother, Draden. “Saylor needs to be calm, and she feels Elijah’s emotions.”
“Nothing will calm her.” Brae is the other brother. They’ve been traveling, so I don’t know them well. “She asked for you.”
“Elijah,” I snap, and his chin jerks up. “I’m here. Nothing will happen to Saylor. Get it together.” I squeeze his hands just as fiercely. “You will have a baby. I’m hoping for a girl who will give you palpitations with the clothes I’ll give her. Saylor is strong, and she would never leave you.”
“I know. I know.” He takes a breath, and his eyes clear slightly. “I will approve every piece of clothing.”
“We’ll see.” I lift a shoulder. “I need to go to her.”
“Right, yes. I’m coming too,” he says.
