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Mariah bit her lip, and I felt fear register there. I could sympathize. While this was the plan, the goal we’d been working toward, I thought about the previous two times Tomas Hawthorne had gotten his hands on my mate. We were playing a dangerous game here, but I was playing to win.
My entire future was at stake, and I’d fight for it with everything I had.
Chapter 16
Mariah
The Manhattan skyline sparkled in the afternoon sun when we emerged from the Holland Tunnel. Snow was already collecting in corners of buildings, and the leaves had all fallen out of the trees.
It’d been months since I’d been in New York, yet the city buzzed, life moving on as if nothing had changed, and for the millions of people here, it hadn’t. It was a stark reminder of just how much mine had changed, though.
“You okay?” Evan reached for my hand as he wove through traffic, heading north from where our SoHo penthouse was, and closer to where Mason lived near Midtown.
I nodded and took his hand. “It’s just weird being back,” I murmured.
“I know what you mean. I always thought this would be my home forever, but I’ve gotten used to being back in Texas. I can’t say that I’ve really had time to miss it here.”
“I don’t know how you handled it,” Jax observed. He was in the back with Sofia, feeding her a bottle. “Not being able to shift whenever you want? Being around so many other people?” He shook his head. “Not for me.”
I could understand that, especially for dragons. Then another thought hit me, and I gripped the edge of my seat, my fingers digging into the leather.
“Evan, what if I shift while we’re in the city?” I hissed. “That would be a disaster.”
“Don’t worry about that, Mariah.” He kept his eyes on the busy streets but shot me a reassuring smile. “I’m sure it will be fine. Just stay relaxed, and it shouldn’t be an issue.”
Easier said than done. I sank back in my seat, watching the buildings pass by, the crowds of people traversing the sidewalks, and the cabs darting in and out of traffic at breakneck speed.
Texas had become my home, too, which made this visit even stranger. All the memories felt like they were from another life. And they were, in a way. I’d last walked these streets as a human.
How long had it been since I’d seen Analise? My best friend didn’t even know I was pregnant, much less that I was a dragon now. I’d kept our conversations exceptionally light over the past few months, not knowing how to bring it up to her. How would she react? Now we were here, though, I wanted to see her, and I’d have to tell her what’d happened to me since we’d been here last. Better to do that in person.
“I’d like to see Analise while we’re here.”
“Why don’t you give her a call?” Evan suggested. “Have her meet us at Mason’s and spend the afternoon here. Today would be the best option since we aren’t leaving for the prison until tomorrow, and we don’t know what the plan will be after we’ve spoken to Leonardo Steel.”
I smiled, my heart leaping both in trepidation of what we’d face tomorrow, and excitement at the prospect of seeing my best friend. This was the longest Analise and I had ever been apart.
“I’d like that.” I grabbed my phone and dialed her number.
“Mariah! You’re alive!” she exclaimed, her tone teasing, drawing a smile from me. “I was starting to think you’d found a new best friend and decided to drop me.”
“Yeah, you know me. Total flake in the friend department.” While that wasn’t usually me, I felt bad that lately I’d fit the bill.
“Why haven’t you called?”
“I’m so sorry,” I apologized, guilt washing over me. “I should have checked in sooner. Things have just been busy. There have been some...unexpected developments.”
“What does that mean?” Her tone turned sharp, worry lacing her words. “What developments?”
“Things I’d love to tell you about in person. I'm actually in New York now.”
“What?” she screeched. “Why didn't you tell me sooner? When did you get here?”
“I know, I'm sorry. It's all been a whirlwind.” I bit my lip. “But I really want to see you. We just got to town, and we’re headed to Mason's place. Could you meet us there?”
“Obviously. I’m not going to waste a chance to see you, even if I’m pissed you didn’t tell me until now. I’m already on my way.”
I grinned in spite of myself. That was Analise, protective as always in her own unique way, but she was always there for me no matter what. I wish I could have said the same over these past months. Then again, nothing in my life had been normal since I first met Evan.
