“I’m going to try and search the old internet for this,” Wannabe offered.“Maybe I can find something.”
Anchor nodded.“Good idea.Let me know if you find anything.”The guys all peeled off, talking amongst themselves about any clubs they had ever heard of.
I met Shay’s eyes.
Shay stood up with her arms wrapped around herself like she was trying to hold the last hour together.The second our eyes met, her shoulders dropped, not with fear this time, but with relief.
I crossed the room to her, slow and steady.She met me halfway, her fingers curling into the front of my cut before I even fully stopped.
“You’re back,” she whispered.
“I told you I wasn’t going to be gone long,” I said, and brushed a knuckle under her chin.“It’s good having everyone do surveillance so nothing gets under our radar.I’m not sure the other guys would have found that carving like I did.”
Her breath shook out of her, small and honest.“I just… I like it better when you’re with me.I don’t have to worry as much.”
That hit deeper than she probably realized.I slid a hand to the small of her back and pulled her gently against me.
“I’m here,” I murmured.“Right here.”
She rested her forehead against my chest for a moment and breathed me in like she needed the proof.When she finally looked up, her eyes connected with mine.
“That symbol…” she said quietly.“It scares me.It’s pretty much throwing it in our faces who he is.You find out who the symbol belongs to, and then you’ll find him.”
“You don’t need to be scared, babe,” I said.“This is the best lead we’ve got so far.”
“It means we’re on the right path, doesn’t it?That maybe this time we’re getting closer.”
“We are.”I brushed a strand of hair from her cheek.“Whoever is doing this, whoever’s connected to what happened back then, they’re slipping.This mark?It ties everything together.Caleb.Bernice.Your mom.The bodies now.It’s all linked.”
She swallowed hard.“And we’re going to figure out who?”
“We’re damn sure gonna try.”I stroked my thumb over the back of her hand.“And until we do, you stay with me.”
Her eyes softened.“I wasn’t planning on being anywhere else.”
I leaned down and kissed her slowly, lingering, not rushed or frantic.Just real.Just us.Her fingers slid up the back of my neck and pulled me closer like that was where she always meant for me to be.
When we finally pulled apart, I pressed my forehead to hers.
“You good?”I asked quietly.
“I am now.”
I wrapped an arm around her shoulders and guided her toward my room.Her steps matched mine like we were already used to moving together.
For the first time since this nightmare started, I felt like we’d grabbed onto a thread that could finally unravel the whole damn thing.
And I wasn’t letting go.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Shay
Prime’s fingers twitched against my hip, like even asleep, he was making sure I hadn’t gone anywhere.My chest tightened, not with fear this time, but something warmer, deeper, unexpected.
I slipped out from under his arm slowly.He didn’t wake, just shifted, brow furrowing for a second like his body protested the loss of contact.
I padded quietly to the bathroom and shut the door halfway before turning on the small light.
