Page 50 of The Wayward Sons & The Vampires of Fortune
“And, Gray?”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you,” Ryder said. “For not letting me go.”
I smiled. At least he wasn’t mad at me about that one, not that he had a choice in the matter. It’d be a cold day in Hell before I let him rot away in a prison cell.
“Always, baby,” I told him. “I’ve got you always.”
CHAPTER 34
The hours built on one another. I paced the length of the airplane hangar we were set up in—yeah, a fucking airplane hangar complete with a private jet.The private airport was nicer than I expected. Though I didn’t know what to expect from one. Three hangars, a private office, cushy furniture. It was nicer than most motels we stayed in.
It also came with a dog. A big black fluff ball named Winston that wanted nothing to do with me.Sad day.I wanted to make friends with him, but all he wanted to do was trail Cole around like a dog that got left in a private jet hangar by himself.
And me? I paced in an attempt to soothe the pent-up energy I had in excess. The long car ride hadn’t helped. Knowing that Ryder was on his way but not quite here wasn’t either.
Hours ticked by at an agonizing rate until a cheap car rolled past the airport gate, setting off an alarm. Cole came to stand next to me, arms crossed and face drawn into a severe expression.
“Ready to get rid of me?” I asked as we stood there watching them drive in.
“You have no fuckin’ idea,” Cole muttered. Oh, I had an idea, but I kept that comment to myself. Instead, I watched the car as it parked inside the hangar, pulling up alongside mine.
The passenger door opened, and Ryder stepped out. Any urge I had to keep poking the bear where Cole was concerned went right out the window. He looked worn down and stressed out, but he was alive. He was alive and unhurt.
And he smiled the instant we made eye contact.Okay, it was barely half a smile, but I was counting it.
He barely had the chance to get out a tired hello before I had his face in my hands and dragged him in for an emotional kiss. Kiss was overstating it. I couldn’t move. I just held him against me, sinking into his arms as he hugged me tight. I felt the sigh that moved through him down to my very core, and I wasn’t even the empath.
Wrapping my arms around him, I pulled him as close as I could. Over his shoulder, I caught sight of Sam.
‘Thank you,’I mouthed. Lips pressed together tightly, he nodded before heading straight out of the hangar door with his brother in tow.
I shifted in Ryder’s arms, pressing my forehead to his.
“You don’t ever get to leave me again, you hear me?” I whispered.I kept saying this shit to him. When would it stick?
“I won’t,” Ryder replied softly.
“Promise me,” I replied. “Promise me, sign a goddamn contract, somethin’. I’m so fuckin’ tired of you doin’ this shit without me. I worry—”
“I promise,” he interrupted, shutting me up. I pulled away and just stared at him.Did he mean it?“I promise. Where you go, I go. No matter what.”
“Especially if vampires are involved?” I cocked an eyebrow. Was I testing him? Maybe a little? But I was real tired of this back and forth. I needed him to see that.
“Especially if vampires are involved.” He nodded slowly. “You and me?”
“Against the world, baby,” I finished for him, kissing him. In between kisses, I added, “And vampires. And sirens. And almost werewolves. And those weird little gremlin things we found in Maine—pesky lil’ shits.”
“Gray?” Ryder interrupted. I made a small sound of interest. “Shut up and just kiss me.”
“Yes, Sergeant.” I chuckled and did just that.
CHAPTER 35
Gray slapped a hand to his chest, practically folding over as he laughed his ass off until he was wheezing. We stood in the private office with the door closed but the blinds open so I could watch what was happening in the hangar. While we were safe for the time being, I didn’t trust it. Granted, I couldn’t focus on anything as Gray’s laughter grew louder.
“You punched him!” he howled. “I can’t believe you punched him!”
