Page 103 of Betrayed in Blood
Lucas helped Ginger into the back seat of the SUV while I climbed into the passenger seat.
This whole night had been a fiasco. My plans were a sham, and Simone might never be the same. I didn’t realize I was crying until Devon got in the driver’s seat and wiped a tear from my cheek.
“Simone will be fine. We didn’t lose anyone. We have your mother, sister, Jasper, and data to sift through. This was a successful mission.”
I wiped my eyes. “This was a cluster fuck.”
He shook his head. “All the teams performed as they should have. From what little Team Three was able to tell me, the bullet Simone took was a freak accident. We’ll know more once we get a few hours sleep. Don’t beat yourself up. It might appear messier than we expected, but it worked as planned.”
When I didn’t respond, he turned my face to meet his icy blue gaze. “If they were guarding April and Willa with guns, they have something they’re hiding. It’s just a matter of time before we know what it is. I know you’re worried about Simone. So am I. But she’d be the first to say this was a success. The same goes for Sergi.”
I snorted. “I didn’t hear him say that.”
He laughed as he started the vehicle. “After hundreds of campaign battles, I know a thing or two about Sergi. He might be what you call OCD, and I agree he’s always been a tidy man, but when it comes to battles, he likes them messy. If he’s irritated, it’s only because he had to watch from the sidelines.”
ChapterThirty-One
I hadn’t realizedI’d fallen asleep until Devon opened the door, and I fell into his arms. “I don’t know why I’m so sleepy.”
“The dream construct must have sapped your strength. Maybe you should drink a glass of Colantha’s juice the next time we go on a mission.”
“I did.”
His lips skimmed my ear, his voice too low for anyone else to hear. “Perhaps the emotions of the evening have simply caught up. You’re not invincible, you know.”
“Says you.” I could have stayed in his arms until he carried me to bed, but that wasn’t going to happen. Not tonight. “Put me down. I’m not returning home from a mission with you carrying me.”
He chuckled as he released my legs, but he kept his arm around me. “You know, just because you’re coming home without being drenched in blood or sporting a physical injury, you risked a lot by dreamwalking in an unsecured environment. You were lucky I was the first one in that hallway rather than one of Jasper’s vampires. I would hate to think what I would have found.”
I turned to him, understanding his concern and his fear. After the evening we’d had, he didn’t deserve one of my platitudes. “All I saw was that gun. He was going to shoot me, and I wasn’t sure if the armored vest would be enough. I could have returned us sooner than I did, but I knew you’d be there. I didn’t question it.”
He leaned his forehead against mine. “I’ll always be there.”
“Are you going to continue to make dove eyes at each other or come in and update me on the mission?” The Wolf stared down at us, his arms crossed in front of his chest.
“Not that it isn’t good to see you, but why are you here?” Devon asked. “I know you’re concerned about your wolves, but they’re fine, and they’ll be here soon.”
“I’ve already heard from Elijah. Thanks to your healer, Rachel’s injury to her leg is almost healed. She’ll have full motion once she returns to training.” He ran a hand over the back of his neck, his expression turning rueful. “I’m sorry for the mess they left behind. The wolves, well, once they’re in wolf form and one of their own is attacked in such a cowardly fashion, they tend to hunt on instinct.”
Devon shook his head. “What happened to the days of swords and hand-to-hand combat? When you looked your enemy in the eye? When you knew you were taking a life? Now we kill people with drones, never seeing their faces.”
“We have made war more civilized.” He paused, seeming to lament how easy war had become. Then he clapped his hands. “Enough of that for now. I have much to show you, but I realize this might not be the best time. Though, I’m not sure how long it can wait.”
Devon turned to watch another SUV drive up. “We’ll need a few hours rest. Can I offer you a room until then?”
“He’s already been given a room, brother.” Lyra stepped out with Colantha behind her.
Colantha was holding a glass of juice and handed it to me after I dragged myself up the steps. “Drink it all, and don’t ask questions.”
“How did you know I’d need this?”
She rolled her eyes. “I just said don’t ask questions, and it’s the first words out of your mouth. Drink, and we’ll talk after you’ve slept at least four hours.” Then she turned and touched Remus’s arm. “We have more to discuss while they rest.”
Remus nodded. “I’ll be in as soon as I see to my wolves.”
I drank the juice as we entered the manor and turned for the hall to return the glass to the kitchen when Devon took it from my hand and gave it to Lyra.
“Do you mind?”
