He was right. After breakfast, we’d need to cut out and head to the next spot.
“Are you sure you don’t need any help?” Coral offered.
“Nope, go on.”
That’s all it took.
When Aidan and I entered the bedroom and shut the door, I turned on my heel to face him. I opened my mouth, but he held his hand up, stopping me.
“Look, I know what you’re going to say.” He put our bags down, walked over to me, and placed his hands on my waist. “I’m sorry about the way I acted tonight. I know you’re strong, and these are the things that need to be done, but dammit … do you know how hard this is for me, too?”
Well, alrighty then. I hadn’t expected this. “I know.” I placed my hand against his cheek, enjoying the feel of his stubble against my skin. “And I’m sorry. I don’t like seeing you in these situations either.”
“Can’t we just run away?” A small smile played at the corners of his lips, but I knew better. If I said yes, he’d whisk me away in a heartbeat, and it made me love him more.
“When this is all over …” I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him. “… we’ll have to be partners in this. I can’t do this without you, but there are certain risks I must take.”
“Why do you have to be so reasonable?” he murmured as he kissed me once more.
My body warmed, but I was just too tired.
“Come on, let’s get you some rest. Tomorrow is a big day.” He turned off the lights and tugged me toward the queen-sized bed in the center.
I hadn’t even scanned the room before I crawled into bed. He scooted in beside me. When he wrapped his arms around me, I drifted off despite the uneasy feeling that pulsed through my skin.
Chapter Eleven
Aidan
A loud thud woke me from my sleep, which angered me. I wasn’t ready to get up, not with Emma still sleeping so soundly in my arms.
“Dude, watch it.” My ears perked up at Samuel’s low voice.
That asshole was going to make me get up.
I slowly unwrapped myself from my mate’s body, which was damn hard to do. If this hadn’t meant so much to her, I’d have ignored it and not given a damn. But if Logan got free and alerted the other Hallowed Guild members or hurt Samuel, I couldn’t live with myself.
The room had beige carpeting. Thankfully, it would soften my footsteps as I snuck out. Emma needed to rest. Considering how often shit went down, we’d probably be in another crisis before the day was over. It sounded like it might already have started.
I somehow managed to not wake her as I detangled myself from her. She was out cold.
I grabbed the black shirt off the floor and put it back on. Then, I stood and picked up my jeans. The last thing I needed was to go out there with my junk on display.
It was clear this room wasn’t used often. It was bare except for the bed and the bathroom off to the left.
“You’re going to wake everyone up,” Samuel said with annoyance.
“So what?” Logan asked as he stomped through the house. “Gabby and I need to get out of here.”
Of course, he’d be planning on leaving with her. However, that wasn’t an option. I turned the knob slowly and opened the door, waiting for a creak. Thank goodness, it didn’t happen. I hurried into the hallway and shut the door.
I tiptoed into the living room and frowned. “Will you two keep it down?” I whispered.
Logan rolled his eyes. “I’m just picking up my stuff.” He stood on top of his air mattress, pushing all the air out. “We need to get out of here before those witches come back.”
“You do realize those witches are Gabby’s family?” He had to understand that this wouldn’t disappear. I’d foolishly wished that Emma’s mark would disappear when I was younger, but seeing her at the University, being hunted down, made me realize I couldn’t ignore it any longer. I still let my hate guide me, and it took almost losing Emma for me to finally realize that she was so much more important than anything else—even my hate.
“They could be lying.” Logan sucked in a breath. “Witches are known to do that.”
“Then how can you justify her birthmark behind her ear?” He needed to see logic and fast. The longer it took, the longer it would take us to leave. They were mates; there was no doubt about that.
“You guys could have Sharpied it on her.” He got off the mattress and scowled. “They’ve got you hook, line, and sinker.”
Aidan? Emma’s voice rang in my head. Where are you?
The bastard had woken her up. I’m in here with Logan and Samuel.
Is everything all right? she asked, and I heard the bed creak from her getting up.
It will be. I didn’t want to worry her more than she already was, but she’d be here within seconds. “Do you actually believe that?” He was paranoid, which made him dangerous.
“Who the hell knows?” he said louder.
A door down the hallway opened, and two sets of footsteps headed our way.
Great, he’d woken everyone up.
Beth’s and Gabby’s flowery scents hit me before they entered the room.
“You’re leaving?” Gabby’s forehead crinkled, and hurt flashed in her eyes.
“No, we’re leaving,” Logan grumbled as he folded the mattress up.
“I don’t believe I made that decision.” Gabby’s tone was tight and laced with anger.
Oh, I remembered that tone all too well. It was the very one Emma had used on me back at Crawford.
Emma
I heard the conversation clear as day as I quickly threw on my pink shirt and jeans and headed to the door. Logan was determined to leave with Gabby, and unfortunately, I couldn’t let that happen. If I couldn’t convince her to help us find the next girl, we all might end up dead or worse.
With a sigh, I flung the door open and stalked into the living room where everyone else was.
“Dammit!” Coral yelled from the bedroom she and Amethyst were sharing. “And you complained we were loud that one day when you stayed over.”
Under normal circumstances, I’d have laughed, but right now, I had a feeling another war was brewing.
What the hell is she talking about? Aidan looked at me.
After Jacob got hurt at the game, we stayed with them. He knew that. He’d been standing outside of my dorm, watching the whole thing. Coral came down that next morning, and she thought she was being quiet, but she woke the three of us up.
Three of you? Aidan’s voice was tense, but that was it.
He thought Jacob and I had shared a bed. Yes, they had two love seats and a couch in the living room. We each took one.
“Look, I’m not going.” Gabby laughed without humor. “But feel free to go.”
“I’m not leaving without you.” He glared at her as his freaky eyes glowed. “Get your stuff, and let’s get out of here.”
“You don’t get to tell me what to do.” Gabby closed the distance and pushed her finger in his chest. “You aren’t and never will be my alpha.”