AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Kellen took my hand and scooted closer. “No. I was a bitch. ”
That made me laugh, however lightly. “Takes one to know one, hon. If you do love him, then I didn’t really do you any favors by dragging you back here. ”
“You didn’t know. ”
“I didn’t ask, either. ” I got to my feet again and offered her a hand up. “Get dressed. ”
“Why?”
“Because I’m taking you to Calliope. And then I’m taking you back. ”
Chapter Fifty-One
I didn’t have the luxury of time to let Kellen say goodbye to Lucas in person, but we lived in a world of iPhone technology. As we drove I used my too-smart-for-its-own-good phone to video call Lucas, and when he answered, I passed Kellen the phone.
I tried not to listen in, but they were both emotional as Kellen told him she loved him but she couldn’t stay.
“I have to go back,” she said, wiping a fat tear off her cheek.
“But I can’t protect you there,” he replied. I couldn’t look at the screen because seeing Lucas upset might break me. I needed to keep my distance from this.
“I don’t need your protection anymore. ”
A familiar sigh came through the speaker. “Wi
ll you come back?”
“I don’t know. ” Her tears were coming faster now. “I’m sorry. ”
There was a clipped discussion on the other end of the phone. “I have to hang up now, Kellen. Please think about this. ”
“I have. ”
A pause. “I love you. ”
“I love you too. ”
The Rain siblings said goodbye to each other. Possibly for the last time.
Holden had just risen for the night when we showed up at his doorstep. I wasn’t sure if he had normal dreams, but I think he was hoping this was a bad one when he opened his apartment door to see me, Desmond and Kellen huddled together in his hallway.
“They’d better be here to wish you a fond farewell to the mortal coil,” he said.
“Something along those lines. ”
“Oh, Secret. You know how much I love a straightforward answer from you. ”
“Can we talk inside for a minute?”
He stepped aside, and I wasn’t so distracted as to miss the glare he shot Desmond. I wasn’t interested in coddling either of their egos right then. If they wanted to know who was coming out on top when it came to me, the answer would be whichever of them helped me with this plan the most.
I wouldn’t find arguments terribly endearing right then.
“Is your entourage going to be okay on their own?” Holden asked. “I didn’t put down a deposit for pet damage. ”
My expression said what my words did not, a very plain Shut the fuck up.
I crossed the threshold and closed the door behind me. “I’m going to get right to the point. ”
