“Almost dying could be considered an adventure.”
“Or just our normal lives.”
Nathan laughed. “That too.”
Asher turned to greet Ronan and Declan next. They exchanged quick embraces as the side door on the van slid open, and Brie and Zina emerged. Cabo had already climbed out to stand by the passenger door; he shaded his eyes against the sun as he studied the building.
“You trust them?” Ronan asked Asher.
“Absolutely. But more importantly, they trust me. And their trust in me is making it possible for them to trust all of you too. You’ll soon find out how important that is.”
Asher returned to the van and kissed Brie’s forehead. He squeezed her arm reassuringly before leaning in to remove the safe. Brie grasped his arm when he rose from the vehicle with the safe cradled against his chest.
“I’ll carry it,” she said.
Her gaze was that of a mother bear protecting her cubs as she stared at the safe. She’d decided to trust the Alliance, but she would watch the stones and kill anyone who tried to take them from her.
“They’re safe here,” Asher vowed.
Brie glanced up at him before looking over at his friends. They probably thought she was a little crazy, and she didn’t care.
“I’ve spent most of my life looking for them,” she whispered. “They were my life when I had nothing else.”
Asher ached to hold her, but he couldn’t do anything with the safe in his arms. “I know, and I’ll make sure nothing happens to them. I’ll protect them as much as you, but you can trust everyone here. I wouldn’t have brought you here otherwise.”
“I know.”
But her niggling alarm persisted. She’d spent so long having visions, searching, and protecting those stones that she didn’t know how to let them go.
“And if you change your mind or need more time before revealing all of this, we will take it. I’m following your lead here,” Asher told her.
Rising onto her toes, Brie kissed his cheek. “I’m so happy I found you.”
“Me too.”
“Let’s go.”
They walked over to join the others, and Asher did the introductions. They all exchanged handshakes, and Nathan grinned as he clasped Brie’s hand in both of his.
“Thank you for saving our friend,” Nathan said.
Brie smiled as his hands warmed hers. “I’ve grown attached to him.”
“As have we all,” Ronan said. “Let’s get inside.”
As they walked toward the building, Declan opened the door for them, and Asher carried the safe inside the shadowy interior. Roland, their head security guy, sat by the computer monitors, watching every screen; he lifted his head and waved at Asher when they passed.
“It’s good to have you back,” Roland greeted.
“It’s good to be back.” Then Asher turned to Ronan. “I’d like to see Logan and Elena before we delve into everything and reveal what’s in the safe, but I’ll keep it with me.”
“Of course,” Ronan replied. “I’m sure he’ll be happy to see you.”
Brie smiled at Ronan’s words and easy acquiescence. He could have insisted he be given answers now. Asher had told her who Ronan was, so she already knew he was the vampire king. Even without that knowledge, the power radiating from the man would have told her he was someone exceptionally strong andold.
“How’s Logan doing today?” Asher asked.
“Not good, but that’s expected,” Declan said.
