Page 75 of The Storm We Face (Together We Fall 3)

“I’m with Tommy and Declan,” he replied. “I’ll make sure they’re okay. And then we'll come home to you.”

“Do you promise?” I hated how weak I sounded. How vulnerable. At that moment, I was nothing more than a forlorn child wanting confirmation that she was loved.

“Promise. I’ll always come back to you, don’t you know that?”

This time, I couldn’t keep the sob from escaping. I brought my fist to my mouth to muffle the sound.

“I love you, Fallon.” The confession escaped me before I could reel it in. And, surprisingly, I didn’t want to.

There was silence on the other side.

“I love you too.”

“But I-”

“I know. I know. And it’s okay. We’ll figure it out together. All of us. But I have to go now, okay? I’ll see you soon. I love you.”

The radio slipped from my fingers, safely landing on the bed. Tears cascaded down my face, but they weren’t tears of sadness. No, they were tears of happiness. I couldn’t remember the last time I had felt such contentment.

Not even the pain in my stomach could diminish the elation I felt.

“Addie!”

The bedroom door was thrown open, and Calax stood in the entryway.

“I just finished talking with Fallon.” I nodded towards the radio. “I’m going-”

“No time.” Before I could protest, Calax scooped me up in his arms. I cried out as pain speared my stomach. “We need to leave. Now.”

I bit my lip to keep from crying out, but there was no denying the urgency in Calax’s voice. The fear in his eyes. The panic.

“What’s going on?” I asked through gritted teeth.

Holding me securely against his chest, Calax turned to face the closed door. From behind it, I could make out growls and shouts, steadily growing louder.

“Ragers. A whole bunch of them.”

---