Cupping the back of her head, I hold her against my chest, her tears dripping onto my skin and down my sternum.
“It’s okay, Sugar. I got you. I’m here.” I kiss the top of her head, loving that I get to be the one to hold her close. Her sobs shake her shoulders, and she clings to me like rain caught in the grip of dangerous winds. “Ah, Nariko. It’s okay. I have you. I’ll always have you.” I squeeze her tighter, hating that the fight with her brother has hurt her so much.
If he were anyone else, I would drink him fucking dry for making my fated mate cry.
Her cries break my heart. The ache in her chest drifts into mine, and I have to blink away my own tears. I kiss the top of her head, wishing that I could fix whatever happened between them.
I know Nariko and Ruka are very close. I know what that is like. There’s nothing worse than fighting with your sibling. Even worse, when they die and all those arguments, all that anger, itnever mattered. I’d give anything to fight with Banks one more time.
“Talk to me, Sugar. Tell me what happened.” I rub her back, my fingers dragging up and down her spine. “Look at me.” I lean back, taking her delicate cheeks in my hand to force her to meet my gaze.
Her long black eyelashes are wet from crying, her beautiful brown eyes swollen from her heartbreak. The tip of her nose is flushed red, and I tap it, falling in love with her beauty, even in her sadness.
“There you are,” I whisper, watching her hair flow in the breeze behind her. “Talk to me.”
“He is angry at me. I don’t think he’s ever been so mad at me before.” Nariko’s voice breaks, emotion clogging her throat as she tries to calm herself. She’s on the verge of breaking again.
“It’s okay. Take your time. I’m not going anywhere.” I kiss her forehead, needing her to know I’m here for her and I always will be.
A horn honks, breaking the moment between us when Westin and Jazz park the truck and trailer to the side.
Fuck. I forgot they would be back with a few rescues today. I’m not traveling for rescues until Nariko and I are in a more stable place. We’re too new for me to be gone for days at a time. Our bond needs us to be close, especially at the beginning of our relationship, and she’s pregnant. We need time to strengthen the connection between us. We would go insane being away from each other so soon.
“Hey!” Westin jumps from the driver’s side and stretches his back.
Jazz stumbles from the passenger side and holds onto the truck, and to my shock, he throws up red liquid. I didn’t even know vampires could vomit like that. Not unless they are dying for their mate like I was.
I learn something new every day.
From here, I can see Westin scoff.
“You are so dramatic, Jazz.”
“Your driving is going to get me killed one day!” Jazz yells, leaning against the bumper. He holds his stomach and groans.
“Or,” Westin counterpoints. “You had a bad batch of blood. Don’t go blaming my impeccable driving skills.” He pats himself on the chest.
“You drive like something is chasing you. I am never driving with you again. Forget it! Oklahoma, I’m going to go get cleaned up!”
Nariko chuckles at their back and forth. Her sadness eases from the comedic relief those two bring.
“There you are.” I rub my thumb over her cheek.
“Fine! I’ll handle the rescues since you can’t finish the job,” Westin shouts, kicking the gravel towards Jazz. “I’m taking these horses to the recovery pasture. They are in bad shape, Oakley. They will definitely need some extra attention.”
I give him a two-finger salute.
“Hey, Nariko!” he shouts, climbing into the truck again.
She gives him a small wave, leaning her body against me. My arms stay wrapped around her, wanting her to feel safe and secure.
Westin waves out the window, the truck’s exhaust grumbling louder than the nearby thunder.
“Tell you what, let me go put on my boots, and I’ll give you a tour of the ranch. Maybe you’d like to talk about what happened with Ruka then?”
She nods, fighting the urge to cry again by the way her bottom lip trembles.
“I’ll be right back, Sugar. Don’t go anywhere.” I clutch her shoulders, keeping her in place. “Don’t go chasing storms without me.”
