Page 7 of Peacemaker

Crawford’s lips thinned. “She can keep it.”

“No,” Angus said. “She can’t.”

They stared at each other until the captain sighed. “I’m not the enemy here. I’m just passing along the news.” He looked at me, finally, and his face softened. “I know how hard it is to hear it.”

But there was no way he knew. Not really. And was it possible that part of him enjoyed it just a little bit? He wasn’t devastated. He wasn’t saying he would fight with us, fight against the horrifying new rules. He was just delivering the message.

“The city needs me,” I told him, regaining my calm. That calmness could have had something to do with Angus’s presence and his warm hand at the small of my back. He steadied me. All of the supernaturals did. “You need to remind them of that.”

He looked away from me for just a second, but that was enough. There was something he didn’t want to tell me. Finally, though, he did. “You’re not safe, Trinity. You need to be careful.”

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

“He means,” Angus said, “that you and Shane have slaughtered most of the vampires that the sickness didn’t kill. The city thinks it can do without your protection. He means you don’t have as much influence as you once did, and the humans—the mayor—will not hesitate to cut you down if you fuck with them.” He looked at Crawford. “Does that about cover it?”

The captain glared at Angus, but finally, he just shrugged. “Yeah. Tread carefully, Trinity. It’s not to that point yet, but it’s coming.” He hesitated before he got into his car. “I’ll send someone for the car.”

“Thank you for lending it to me,” I said, automatically polite. But my mind was on the changes that were coming. No, not coming. They’d already arrived.

Angus and I watched as the captain drove away, and then Angus pulled me to him. “Trin.”

I wrapped my arms around his waist and inhaled, drawing in his warm, irresistible scent. “The city wants to mark the supernaturals,” I whispered, almost unable to get the words out. “The mayor—”

He tightened his arms. “I know, honey.”

I looked up at him. “What?”

He smiled at my surprise. “I’m not without my sources.”

“It can’t happen,” I told him. “None of it can happen.”

“No,” he agreed. “We’ll fight. It’s time.”

Of course we’d fight. No one was helpless in Bay Town, and there was only so much we were willing to take. We would fight. Relieved and full of hope, I smiled. “We will fight."

I drew back at the approach of another car, then watched as a black as night, unfamiliar, shiny new SUV pulled into the driveway.

One of Angus’s daughters got out of the car, her smile wide.

“Derry,” I said. “That is one sharp car. Late birthday gift from your dad?” I grinned at Angus, who watched me with a slight smile and a soft gaze.

She hurried toward me and gave me an excited hug. “Isn’t it a beauty? I helped pick it out.” She looked at Angus. “Can I tell her?”

He nodded, still smiling.

“It’s for you,” Derry said. “We bought it for you. To thank you.”

I put my hand to my chest and stared at both of them. “You did not,” I breathed. “Did you?”

Both of them laughed, and Derry jumped up and down. “Get in. You have to drive it. It’s amazing. I’ll ride shotgun!” She hurried back to the car and climbed into the passenger seat.

“Angus.” I shook my head, my eyes wide. “But how?” Angus was a recent escapee from Byrd Island. He wasn’t going to be throwing loads of cash around and drawing attention to himself. Not for a while.

He gave me a wink. “Rhys is not the only one with human groupies.”

“You seriously bought me a car.” I turned to look at it. “That car.”

He took my arm. “I don’t want you owing Crawford a favor. Do you like it?”

I should have said I couldn’t accept such a gift. I should have thanked him and suggested gently that he return it to the store.

“I love it,” I shouted. “Oh, my God. It’s gorgeous!”

I grabbed his hand and dragged him laughing to the car, then caressed the exterior like it was a lover. “Angus. My first new car. I can’t…it’s just…thank you.”

He opened the door. “Get in.”

Derry chattered like a magpie, and I oohed and ahhed as I listened to her and touched the bells and whistles and inhaled the new car smell.

“Even Leo will fit in this car,” I told Angus, smiling so hard my cheeks ached.

His eyes gleamed. “Take Derry home. I’ll expect a proper thank you when you get back.”

I climbed back out of the car and wrapped my arms around his neck. “Thank you, Angus.”

“Trin.” His voice was a little sad. He squeezed me, then slapped my ass. “Take her for a spin. Go on.”

I didn’t waste time arguing. I got in, started my shiny new car and sped away. I was grateful for the distraction of the gift and Derry’s excited chatter, but still, the captain’s words lingered at the back of my mind, waiting for their chance to darken a grim world that was already far too shadowed by pain and desolation.