“I made a deal,” I say simply. I look at the older man who has been standing there silently and give him a sad smile. “I couldn’t risk letting anything happen to your children.”
Elias’ face is void of emotion, but I don’t miss the slight widening of his eyes. “You’re going to turn yourself over to him, aren’t you?”
I nod. “It’s the only way I could think of that would ensure Remington and Ryker’s safety. And they’re my priority now.”
“What the hell were you thinking?” Sawyer snarls. I know he wants to raise his voice, but he doesn’t.
“That I don’t want Ryker or anyone else in the pack to die for me,” I tell him.
“Ryker could win the challenge,” Elias says.
“And he could also lose,” I snap. “I’m not willing to take that chance.”
“You’re not thinking this through—” Sawyer starts to say, but I quickly interrupt.
“I didn’t ask you here for your opinion. This is what’s happening, and I need your help to make sure it works.” I hold up my hand, silencing him when he starts to speak again. “I know you both love Ryker as much as do, so, please. Help me keep him safe.”
“What happens after Nicolai takes you? How are we supposed to get you back?” Elias asks. “I want to keep my son safe, but if you’re gone, he’ll go to the ends of the Earth to find you. He’ll fight anything that gets in his way.”
“You’re not going to try and get me back.” I lift my chin. “As long as I’m with Nicolai, he’ll leave Ryker and the pack alone; you guys will be safe. And like I said, that’s all that matters to me.”
“Ryker is going to be devastated.” Sawyer grimaces.
“But he’ll be alive,” I remind him, “and so will Remi. Will you guys help me or not?”
Elias looks at me long and hard before finally speaking. “You’re just like your parents. They were so strong and always willing to put the pack before themselves. I’ll remind you that by doing so, they lost their lives.”
“I know.” I nod and bow my head. “But I understand now why they did it.”
“What do you need us to do?” Sawyer asks.
“First, I need you to make a phone call.”
I open the door to Ryker’s room and find him sitting in the dark on the bed with his back to me. His hair is still wet from the shower, and he’s bare-chested. I lean against the doorframe and scan his shirtless form. I knew there were angel wings on his back that extend over his shoulders and down the back of his arms, I never paid any attention to the fact that they were connected to a beautiful angel with dark tears streaming down her face. It’s a gorgeous piece, but very somber at the same time.
He doesn’t turn around to look at me when he speaks. “Are you still mad at me.”
“No,” I sigh, closing the door behind me. I walk across the room and sit down next to him on the bed. I lean into his side and rest my head on his shoulder. “I just want you safe.”
“I’m going to try really hard to come back to you,” he whispers to me before wrapping his arm around me and pulling me close.
“I know,” I tell him. I push down the guilt I feel when I say it. I don’t need him to pick up on it and ask what’s wrong. “It sucks. It shouldn’t be like this.”
“No, it shouldn’t.” He sighs. “But no matter what, you’re going to be safe.”
I feel my body stiffen up when he says that. I have no idea what my future looks like, but I know for a fact I will more than likely not be safe. Nicolai does not give off the warm and safe vibe. I force myself to relax and push down those thoughts.
“I don’t want to talk about it anymore tonight.” I rise up from the bed and stand in front of him. I gather all the confidence I can muster before reaching for the hem of my t-shirt and pulling it over my head.
Ryker’s eyes widen and shoot up to look at me. “What are you doing?”
“Our lives are full of uncertainty right now, and we don’t know what our future together looks like,” I start, “but right now, at this moment, I’m certain how I feel about you, and I know that I want to be with you.”
“Pru…”
“I love you,” I say, rushing the words. “I’m so in love with you, Ryker, my heart feels like it might burst.” I place my hand over my heart as I look into his ocean-blue eyes.
Ryker doesn’t move. He doesn’t blink, and I barely see him breathe. He sits there staring at me with wide eyes. But then he moves so fast I barely register it. He pulls me onto the bed, and I can’t help the yelp of surprise when my back bounces against the mattress. My breath catches in my throat when I look up and find him looking down at me. He’s positioned himself over me, and only my thin cotton bra separates our chests.
“I never thought I would have the opportunity to tell you how much I love you. I always thought my only option was saying it to a headstone, but now…” He pauses. “To be able to tell you I’ve loved you since the day that golden halo of light appeared around you when we were kids is the greatest gift. I loved you as Grey Thorne, and I love you even more as Pruitt Bailey.”
My cheeks hurt from how hard I’m smiling at him. I reach up and hold his face between my hands. “I love you,” I repeat. “Please kiss me now.”
Ryker’s mouth crashes into mine with almost painful force. But I happily meet his passion and part my lips when his tongue pushes
