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“Before you go,” Ronan said, “there are some things I should say. Privately.”
I arched an eyebrow. “Anything you have to say to me, you can say in front of him.”
Connor brushed the tips of his fingers against mine—the lightest touch, but full of emotion. Of promise.
“I suppose I had that coming,” Ronan said.
“At the least,” Connor said.
Ronan didn’t spare him a look. “I underestimated you. Or perhaps I should say I prejudged you. I believed I understood who and what you were, what you would be. And I believed I understood what had happened with Carlie. I was wrong on all accounts.”
“Were you?” My question didn’t sound very sincere.
“I believed you had made her without thinking. Perhaps because you’d been raised to take what you wanted. Or perhaps because you simply wanted a vampire of your own. And then I spoke with her.”
“And she told you the same thing I did.” My tone was desert dry.
“She did,” he said, guilt darkening his eyes. He walked to the windows, pushed back the curtains with a finger, looked out. “Regardless, she survived, and that’s what matters.”
“Carlie said you’d invited her to stay here. You’ll take care of her?”
“She is one of us now,” he said simply, with a certainty that made me feel better about returning to Chicago.
“If she needs anything—if she needs me—you can reach out.”
“I will,” he said.
And that was the best détente we’d reach for now.
***
Back at the resort, we gathered outside the RV. It still smelled like feet and Cheetos.
“Thank you for coming to my rescue,” I said, giving Lulu a hug, then Theo.
“Technically, our rescue,” Connor said, shaking Theo’s hand. “And thanks all around.”
“We’re family,” Lulu said. “You’d probably have done the same for me.”
“Absolutely would have done the same,” I said. “Down to the cheap vodka and spelunking.”
“You do know how to woo a girl,” she said, then slid her gaze to Alexei, just looked at him with raised brows.
He stared back at her wordlessly.
“No emotional goodbye?” she asked.
“We live in the same city.”
Lulu just rolled her eyes, climbed into the RV. Theo followed, giving us a wave before closing the door behind them.
Alexei pulled a candy bar from his pocket, began to unwrap it as he walked to the bike he’d already prepped and loaded. It sat beside Thelma, which held our bags and helmets.
“You sure you don’t want to ride with them in the RV?” Connor asked.
“I’m sure.” I looked back at Thelma. “I want Thelma.”
His smile was broad and very, very pleased. “Grab the helmet and come sit right here.” He patted the leather seat, the look in his eyes suggesting he wasn’t entirely focused on the bike.
