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After sweeping the area, we all went to the apartment building with Jasper. Zeke and I kept a lookout while Jasper got the information he needed. And Zayn—he bounced around excitedly, still on an adrenaline rush from our near miss.
I let my hand rest on Zeke’s, grateful for the comforting touch as I fight back the urge to lash out at his twin.
Does he really not understand how much danger we were just in, or is this all a front?
“I can’t believe that happened,” Zayn says, his eyes sparkling.
“I can’t take this anymore,” Zeke groans, swerving onto the exit ramp at the last second. I grip his hand tightly, steadying myself with the other one as Zayn is shoved back in his seat, his seatbelt jerking him to a stop just as he’s about to smash his head on the window.
“Zeke,” I murmur in warning, my heart thundering at the sudden maneuver.
“I’m sorry,” he breathes, rubbing a thumb over my hand. I might have worked through a lot of my issues with driving after the night outside of the Opal Moon, but not enough for him to be driving recklessly. “I just need to pull over.”
I grip his hand in understanding as he pulls into a parking lot. The fast-food restaurant is clearly busy as families pick up food on their way home from work, and cars line nearly every spot.
“Was it something I said?” Zayn asks, his brows furrowed in confusion as I glance back at him incredulously.
“I’m going to get us some food,” Zeke murmurs, lifting my hand to place a kiss before he gently guides it back down to my lap.
“Take your time.” I wish I could get some space too, but there’s no way Zayn will let me go anywhere without following.
I unbuckle my seatbelt as Zeke gives me an appreciative smile and closes the door, stalking off into the restaurant.
Zayn and I have to have a talk because this needs to stop here and now.
“What’s his problem?” Zayn sulks. Snapping my gaze to him, I don’t miss the way his throat bobs as my glare narrows. I crawl over the center console and into the backseat with him, a smile unfurling on his lips like he thinks it’s a good thing.
Oh Zayn, how wrong you are.
He trails his gaze up my body, and heat licks up my spine at the hunger there. He lingers on my chest, eyeing the way my shirt clings to my skin, making the neckline lower than it usually is. Embers of desire flicker to life in my core, but I push them aside. It would be so easy to brush this off, to enjoy this alone time with him and sate the hunger gnawing its way to the surface, but that wouldn’t solve anything.
“You’re his problem,” I answer evenly. He snaps his head back up to meet my eyes, his cheeks reddening as he gives me a chagrined look.
“Me?” he claps a hand to his chest as though he’s shocked by the revelation.
I take a deep breath, tempering my annoyance. This man. He might be a danger to himself and others in this world, but I can’t help the admiration I have for his outlook on life. He hasn’t been hardened by this life as my other mates and I have. It’s honestly refreshing and does nothing to quell the insatiable desire I have for him. I crave that levity, but at the same time, I don’t want to see it dim. I don’t want to be the reason he loses that spark.
But something needs to change.
“Don’t you see that he cares about you, that we both do?” Tension radiates through me at the admission.
A smile curls on his lips, his eyes flickering with delight.
“I care about you too, gorgeous.” He reaches for me, about to trail his fingers over my cheek, but I stop him. His hand is warm in mine, the connection between us feeling like home as the bond hums. I place his hand back in his lap though, and I shudder at the loss, but I need a clear mind for this.
“If you’re going to stay with us, I need a few things from you,” I say, eyeing him keenly. “They’re non-negotiable.”
“Anything,” he blurts. He’s about to reach for me again but stops at my warning glance, folding his hands back in his lap.
“I mean it. If you don’t keep your word, you’ll be packing. Understood?”
“I understand, gorgeous.” His expression sobers slightly at my insistence. Pain slices through my chest, but he needs to understand this is serious.
“What do you need me to do?”
“First, if you’re going to stay, you need to make an effort with Zeke.”
“Skylar—” he starts, but I cut him off.
