Page 109 of Resolve
“With your other siblings getting them settled somewhere safe,” Aiden answers.
Karl nods. “I’ll keep an eye on them.” He motions his chin toward the prisoners. “And on the people you’ve asked to come here.”
Dane eyes the prisoners incredulously. “Is that safe?”
“I know how to keep them calm.”
“Keep your phone on you. If something is wrong or you need something, let us know with that.” Aiden fixes the shield to more manageable swords and armor on himself. I doubt it would have fit in the car if he hadn’t.
“You’ll tell me when he’s dead?” Karl asks, his tone indifferent even though he’s speaking about his father.
“Yes.”
Chapter thirty-five
Raegan
Reidgetsusbackto Hype in the early morning before sunrise. We couldn’t risk the long drive with the state of Dane’s hand. There are muscles and nerves exposed from the breakdown of skin that puts him at risk of infection the longer it’s untreated. We wrapped it with a sliced-up hoodie to help protect it until we got there.
While it takes Reid over an hour, it feels like seconds for us. I’m still reeling from the fight with James. From the fears that he’d revealed and now feel like an open wound for everyone to see as I silently bleed out.
Two hands cover each of mine.
Dane and Jackson.
“Come on, Rae. Let’s go to the apartment for the rest of the night. We can put on a movie and cuddle under a blanket until you get hungry, and then I’ll cook you whatever you want to eat.”
“We’re not doing anything until Cassandra heals your hand,” I counter, my tone resolute. “That never should’ve—I thought I couldn’t—Dane, I’m so sorry...” Each attempt is interrupted by emotion threatening to crack through. I’m not supposed to hurt themen I love. I’m supposed to protect them.
“You’re a villain in the making.”
“Stop.” Dane tugs my hand, encouraging me out of the car.
Jackson twirls my hair together to the base of my neck, then pulls my hood up. He stays at my back when I move, like my personal shadow.
The others are already inside, so we exit quickly and go through the door with as little time outside as possible. Dane spins the second we’re in and yanks me into his chest. For a few seconds, he just holds me.
“Just because he attacked us through you, doesn’t mean it was you, Rae. You could never hurt me.”
I draw a shuddering breath, clutching his back and burying my face into his hoodie. He’s right. I’ve had nothing but control over my gift since training with Jackson and Kell. James picked at a sliver of worry in the back of my mind and made it feel like so much more in the moment. Even though it wasn’t a fear I’d dwelled on for more than a few seconds. And I won’t give it more than he already has.
“Thank you,” I whisper. Slowly, I pull away.
Jackson smiles at me and tucks my hair behind my ear, following it to the ends and spiking my heart rate at the intensity of his stare. “Where you go, I go,” he reminds me, but I know instantly what he’s really saying.Even if you became a villain, I’d be right by your side.
The sharp click of shoes precedes Elias’s appearance from the back hallway. One hand is seated in his pocket while the other flicks out to check his watch. “You’re back earlier than I expected.” He passes by Reid and Tinsley on their way to their apartment to rest as Aiden and Kellan join us.
“Reid teleported us back”—Elias’s gaze flicks to the door, and Aiden coolly adds, “With thecar.”
“I appreciate you not leaving it behind. My contact is enroute to the hospital as we speak. It’s been put on lockdown until they can safely get the prisoners out. We already have a safe place where they can go.”
Mm. Probably where they sent the trafficking victims to help them process everything. “One of my half-siblings is with them,” I chime in. “I don’t know what he plans to do, but he wanted to stay with the prisoners.”
Elias nods, withdrawing his phone. “I'll let them know so there’s no friendly fire.”
“If you don’t mind, Thorton, it’s been a rough twenty-four hours. We can talk after we’ve gotten some rest,” Aiden remarks.
“Of course.”
