Page 69 of Cursed Love
“Mmm…” she muttered on the brink of sleep.
“I’d do anything for you and our baby. I honestly never believed I deserved someone, especially not like you. You can do so much better—”
Chapter 28
His words had seeped into her dreams, wrapping around her, cocooning her, and raising her on a blissful cloud. Ryan loved her… No, he lovedthem. Instinctively, her hand pressed on her flat stomach.
Love.
She thought she had found it with Greg, but she now understood what they had was not love. At least, she had not beenin lovewith him.
The way her heart sighed at the thought or sight of Ryan was unlike anything else. He could calm her with only his presence, and the sex was off the charts. She also did not fear standing up to him or upsetting him. Somewhere deep inside, she knew he accepted her—all of her, even the illogical, impulsive woman her brothers loved. She never felt the urge to hide any part of herself from Ryan.
Now, if they could solve the million other problems haunting them, they could build something more together.
Rolling over, she found the bed empty and cold. Listening carefully, she could not hear the men in the other room. She tossed aside the covers, eager to find him. Their clothes from the night before had been tossed in the pile of dirty laundry, reminding her she needed to make use of Peter’s washer and dryer.
Brandy grabbed her last pair of clean jeans, a frown forming when she realized the electric buzz in her mind was muted. She had never noticed the buzz until that moment, when it was gone. She pulled the cups over her breasts and clasped her bra, her mind reaching out, searching for any sign of Ryan.
“Rye? Honey? Where are you?”she called, blood rushing in her ears as a numbing sensation slithered down her arms.
“Rye? Answer me, damn it!”she snapped.
Grabbing a shirt off the top of her bag, she rushed to the door. She pulled it over her head as she stepped out, not caring who could possibly be around. “Ryan?” she shouted into the condo.
She tugged the hem to her hips as Peter turned toward her with his phone to his ear. His eyes narrowed on her, and she could only imagine the panic he found. Her heart raced, a dizzying feeling as a rush of anxiety struck her in the gut.
Peter took two long strides toward her and cupped her elbow. “What’s wrong?” he demanded.
“I… I… Where is Ryan?” she whispered and placed a hand to her head.
Peter looked in the direction she came from. “I thought he was with you.”
She shook her head slowly. “N-no,” she stammered.
Peter guided her to the couch, his call all but forgotten as he helped her sit. “Take a breath, babycakes.”
Brandy forced her eyes to meet Peter’s. His gaze was steady and filled with worry. A shimmer of his own werewolf magic flowed over his skin. “He’s not answering me,” she said, her voice unsteady.
Peter nodded in understanding. “When did you see him last?”
“Last night before falling asleep. He came back and said he and E never made it to Serena’s. Oh God, E!” Brandy pushed to stand, but Peter gave her a gentle shove down. “I have to get my phone!”
Peter shook his head. “Call out to Ryan first.”
“I did! He’s not answering! Aren’t you listening to a damn word I’ve said?” she shouted.
“Try again,” he demanded, his voice hard but soft.
Brandy closed her eyes. “You don’t understand. I… I don’t even feel him in my head. It’s so fucking quiet.” She met his eyes, and tears spilled down her cheeks. Lifting her hand for emphasis, she told him, “There used to be this buzz or hum or something. I can’t explain it, and now it’s so damn quiet.”
Peter grabbed her hand and squeezed it. “Babycakes, take a deep breath and close your eyes. Humor me.”
She searched his face before releasing a frustrated breath. Sucking in a burst of air, she let her lids close.
“Good, take another. Imagine you’re in a large room and search each corner for Rye. He’s in there. Find him.”
Brandy opened her eyes and raised her free hand to her mouth. “What if he’s—”
