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“We’re gonna have to fix that. But first, we’re gonna have to get your sister in on this.”
I looked over to see Nereida, her brown eyes wet as she tried so hard not to cry.
“C’mere.” Seff motioned to her.
She slid from her bed and stepped into Seff’s arms next to her sister.
“I was being strong.” She sniffled. “I was being strong.”
“Yeah, you’re both very strong and so brave. Desarae and I couldn’t be prouder of you. But you know what?” He paused to get their attention. “It’s okay to let us be strong for you.”
His eyes caught mine, and he winked. He reached out a hand, and I went into his embrace willingly, sandwiching the twins between us. I felt his happiness, his joy, as well as something else—a deeply buried uncertainty.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
There was no chanceof the twins getting back to sleep after they woke up. We were all in the kitchen finishing up hot chocolate and thick slices of toasted sweet bread when the tiny hairs on the back of my neck tingled. I looked at Seff. He had gone stiff as he inhaled one slow breath after another. His eyes locked on mine. He didn’t say a word, but I understood.
They’re almost here.
The trucks. The others. The wolves who would take my dead pack-mates away, along with their belongings.
Taking my empty mug to the sink, I sucked in a breath and held it as sadness threatened to overwhelm me all over again. Guilt wasn’t far behind. Guilt for what had happened to my pack-mates, for what I’d done to the rogue. All of it had been muted and overshadowed by the bond I now shared with Seff.
Gods, I wanted to cry.
Big, strong arms wrapped around my shoulders and held me close from behind. “Hey.”
I turned my head to gaze at him. His dark eyes were so full of concern. Then, his mouth was on mine. Every kiss tasted like a wordless apology.
“I gotta talk to your dad.”
I sighed. “I know.”
After Seff left, I shuffled the twins’ tired little bodies up the stairs and into their beds. I tucked them in, blew kisses, and wished them sweet dreams. I waited downstairs on the futon listening to the sound of rumbling trucks coming up the winding mountain road.
After tapping lightly on the front door, Jessy peeked in and asked in a whisper, “Are they sleeping?”
I nodded and motioned her in. Luisa followed Jessy inside.
“Sweet heavens, Des.” Jessy shook her head. “This just sucks.”
I nodded and wiped at the tears sliding down my cheeks. The emotional lump in my throat trapped everything I’d wanted to say.
“Seff said you hurt one of those inbred bastards.”
