Page 95 of As Darkness Fall
“This is just as difficult for him as it is for you,” Aaron added. “Though, he’ll never talk about it.”
I snorted again. “Typical men. Unable to process their emotions.”
Aaron stared at me, then looked down at his hand, then back at me. “Are you sure he’s the only one who can’t process their emotions?”
My mouth shut. I really hated it when people threw my own words back in my face and wererightabout it.
“You’re staying here with Jo,” I said, changing topics abruptly. “While we go get my parents back.”
“You’re avoiding the subject,” Aaron pointed out.
“Yup,” I agreed. “I am. Now, remember, Jo doesn’t have a clue what you are or anything beyond shifters, okay? She doesn’t need to know anything about this. Which means don’t go pulling a Vir and telling her stuff I don’t want her to know. Okay?”
Aaron opened his mouth.
“If you do, I’m gonna let myself fall hard for Vir and then give you the biggest naked bearhug you’ve ever had until you’re nothing but ash, got it?”
Aaron’s mouth shut. Then it opened again.
“That would bequitethe way to go out,” he said slowly, his eyes boring into mine with some emotion I couldn’t read. “But I think I’d prefer to live, for now. I want to see what you’re fully capable of, Danielle Wetter.”
“Then watch closely,” I growled, heading for the door, my mind on Lars. “Because you’re about to find out.”
Chapter Forty-Six
They were waiting for us when we arrived at Aldridge Manor, pulling up to the front door.
“Are you ready for this?” Vir asked from the passenger seat–I’d insisted on driving.
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I promised as I stared through the windshield at the cadre of enforcers standing on either side of a smug-looking Lars. Then, I focused my eyes on him, looking for something.
I didn’t spot it.
My wolf whined, wanting to be set free, eager to tear his throat out. We hated him, and someone had to make him pay. Why shouldn’t it be us? We–
“Dani.”
I looked over at Vir, the sharp bark of his tone catching my attention.
“You must restrain yourself,” he said quietly, reaching out to rest his hand on my upper arm.
His touch was warm and comforting. And it didn’t burn me. I glanced over, meeting his eyes, but I didn’t let myself get lost in the blue fire. Now wasn’t the time for us. Whatever “us” meant.
Now was the time for my parents. After they were safe, and we no longer had to deal with Lars, then—then—I could perhaps allow myself to start truly figuring out what to do about Vir and our Soulbond.
“Thank you,” I said, back in full control.
He smiled. I fought back the flip-flop of my stomach by pushing open the door of the borrowed truck. Nothing helps a girl forget about a boy more than rescuing her parents from certain doom, right? That’s what I was banking on, at least.
The rest of the team, minus Aaron, who was still recovering, joined us from the back of the truck, hopping out of the bed where they had been sitting. All of them were armed to the teeth, but that didn’t seem to faze Lars or his men. Nor should it. We weremassivelyoutnumbered.
There had to be nearly fifty enforcers lined up alongside Lars. I wondered just what lies he’d told them about me to get them to help. Many were not his everyday thugs, the ones who hung off his every word. They were just men from the pack who were stronger or had more experience fighting than others.
Either way, it was a lot. Fifty against six. I didn’t like those odds at all.
If everything goes to plan, then you won’tneedto fight them. That’s the whole point of this. To get out without violence.
“About time you showed up,” Lars said from the center, standing lazily, without concern. “Though I wish you hadn’t broughtthem.”
