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“It sucks, but I’m okay. I liked him, but until this is over, I don’t have the energy for dating.”
Once this was over, she’d confess. She’d have to. No one else could protect her from herself… and dammit she ached to tell her sister, to share the burden of it, but… not yet. Just, not yet. “Your normal life enables me to live vicariously—”
“Eryn, for fuck’s sake. I dated a nice guy, but I’m not ready to commit to anything right now. I’m so damn worried about you and I feel so helpless, and for the love of all that’s weird in this world, let Vann and his team help. Lie about what you are, if it makes you feel better.”
Eryn held a finger to her lips to silence her sister. Since the last dose, Eryn’s senses were so much stronger, but different. Vann walked nearly silently, but she could feel his warmth long before he reached her.
Vann rounded into the kitchen. Lazily sauntering in, a smitten grin lifting the corners of his lips. He didn’t say anything, but opened the fridge and pulled out a carton of eggs.
“I’m off to bed,” Lexi said, backing away toward the guest bedrooms. “I’m relieved to hear you’re working on our security system today,” she added with a pointed look at Vann. “I know we weren’t keen on accepting your help before, but… tonight, I think we all need a nice, long, detailed conversation.”
Vann nodded, and waited for Lexi to disappear into her bedroom.
He strolled over to Eryn and framed his hands around her, gripped the counter and leaned in.
Eryn set her coffee on the counter behind her and braced for delicious impact. She reached up and framed his jaw in her hands.
He leaned close and drew her in, kissing her deeply, naturally and raw, and Eryn absorbed every ounce of him. “Good morning,” he murmured with a sweet smile before kissing her again.
Heart tripping over itself, her chest clenched tight as she nuzzled before pulling back. “I need to get ready for work.”
He hadn’t been wrong about one night not meaning once. Sleep deprivation was much more tolerable when it was because of sex. She knew why she had such good stamina, but he was… probably really good at his job.
He hooked his fingers with hers as she stepped back, releasing her, but she knew it would take nothing for them to end up back in the bedroom again.
The omelet was probably delicious, but she could hardly taste anything.
Neither spoke on the drive to the hospital.
If she failed… maybe he and his team were like Lexi said, and they were a tough enough security force to stop her before she hurt anyone.
Outside the employee entrance, he leaned across the console and palmed her cheek.
Unable to resist, she turned toward him and sank in for a savoring kiss. Warm and tender, stirring both comfort and a deep arousal as she remembered last night, their bodies together, the honest intimacy, she didn’t want to pull away.
“Eryn?” he murmured, licking his lips before leaning back into his seat.
“Yeah?”
He rubbed his forehead with his thumb and forefinger. “Never mind.”
“Hey. Look. We knew this was a one-night thing.” Hell, she wanted to tell him everything. That glimmer of hope, that maybe he could help. That maybe she would survive this.
“We’ll talk tonight.”
She unbuckled her seatbelt and opened her mouth to say something, but the words choked in her throat, silencing her.
15
Locked and loaded.
Vann climbed into the passenger seat of Quinn’s SUV. Eyes closed, he rubbed his temples.
Not helpful. He blinked and stared out the window.
Familiar controlled chaos. There was an odd comfort in knowing the fight was about to start. The wait would be over soon. One way or another.
Quinn hopped in, moved the seat up from Ryan’s settings, and adjusted the mirrors. Bennett climbed into the seat behind them, and Bodie into the other.
