“Calm,Lisichka,” my Russian giant tries to soothe me, but I’m still coming out of a five-day heat and my best friend’s life is on the line.
“I love you, Sugar Bear, but if you don’t let go right fuckin’ now, I’m puttin’ you on a sex ban.”
His arms release me quicker than anything I’ve seen, and I straighten myself before approaching Declan, who is staring at me warily.
Breathing out through my nose, I look up at him. “You completely changed plans that we had agreed on without consultin’ me, when I am the one they affect the most. This is my decision to make, Dec, and if I have to give them Brooks to prevent Addie from bein’ sent back to Thornfield, I will, and the blame will rest solely on you.”
He grits his teeth. “I was just trying to help—”
I hold up my hand. “I understand that, but you didn’t.”
Rationally, I understand that I was in heat, in no position to offer him an opinion on the matter, and that we were running low on time. It’s not fair for me to be as mad as I am, but this isAddiewe’re talking about.
“I think…” West sidles up between the two of us, putting a hand on each of our shoulders, “We should focus on how we can get Adela to safety before the week is up. Anyone have any thoughts?”
“I think we wasted all of our hoodwinking on Xavier when we went after my dad.” Sam frowns, crossing his arms. “A pizza delivery truck isn’t going to get us out of this one.”
Hayden snorts. “Hoodwinking.”
Sam rolls his eyes. “Fuck off.”
“He’s right, though…” I sigh, taking a step back. “He knows we have tricks up our sleeves now.”
“Who sent Adela to Thornfield the first time?” Hayden frowns.
“Her daddy,” I growl, getting pissed off just thinking about it. Fathers are supposed to be loving and supportive. Despite all of my experiences being the contrary, I know this for a fact. My guys would all be perfect dads.
“I mean, she’s eighteen now, but since he was the one who originally checked her in, maybe he can check her out? Like…as soon as she gets there? They said Leslie is in charge now, right?” Hayden sounds so damn hopeful, and really, itisa good idea.
This might just work out.
The thought has my stomach untwisting from the knot it had jumbled into when my phone first rang.
“He might not be willing to help us,” Sam frowns, “especially since hewasthe one to send her there originally.”
I shrug. “He’ll probably get pretty compliant if I threaten to cut his dick off.”
Kole barks a laugh. “I do love it when you talk dirty.”
Declan glares at him. “I’mstandingright here.”
“Aw, don’t worry,” Hayden grins, throwing an arm over my shoulders. “I’m sure the big guy loves it when you talk dirty too.”
My brother sighs, rolling his eyes before turning to me with an arched brow. “So? Do you have a name for her dad?”
I turn to West expectantly.
“Roland Olivier.”
Declan nods once. “I’ll pass it off to Aidan. Would her mom be of any help?”
West shakes his head. “Her mom left three years ago.”
My heart clenches. I didn’t know that.
“I can see if my parents know him,” he offers, shoving his hands in his pockets, “might be faster than waiting to see what Aidan can dig up.”
“You think that’s a good idea?” Declan frowns, crossing his arms. “I mean, I know Aidan said they don’t have any of the markers that other people in the BLU do, but regardless, they work for Xavier. For all we know, they could tip him off the moment we reach out. Adela would be back in Thornfield faster than we could blink.”
