“As I said before, Alex found me as soon as I stepped through the portal,” Barret states slowly and carefully, his brows furrowed.
“Just because you talk slower doesn’t mean we understand what the fuck you’re saying,” Vin snaps, and a flicker of hurt crosses Barret’s face.
“He told me that his dad—a real douche canoe, that guy—wanted to kill Violet. Of course, I couldn’t let that happen, so when Alex came up with a solution, I accepted.” He shrugs once more, as if that’s the end of the story. Already, his gaze is fixed on one of my leather schoolbooks, his fingers idly tracing the patterns engraved on the spine.
“Barret, what happened next?” I whisper, my throat clogged with emotion. Seeing him alive and well…it sort of makes me want to kill him for putting me through such pain to begin with.
“I ran into you and Cal.” He drops the book and gives me his full attention once more. His sooty lashes blink rapidly as he rests his chin on the back of my desk chair. “When Alex and his father came, I did what Alex told me to do—I stepped in front of the blade meant for you. I would’ve done it anyway, but it was a relief to know that I wasn’t going to actually die. It wasn’t god-blessed, despite what Alex claimed.” With a pained expression, he rubs at his chest where the blade entered. “I tried to tell you guys, but there was a shit ton of blood.”
“Yeah,” I choke out, swallowing the sob that wishes to escape. “A lot of blood.”
“Alex kept up his end of the bargain by grabbing one of my bugs and taking it with him through the portal. Unfortunately, there was a little incident that involved your dog and my beetle form, but he took me to you, so I can’t complain. And now, here I am.” He extends his arms on either side of him, a happy smile on his face.
“Barret…” A choked noise squeezes past my closed lips before I can contain it. “You motherfucking asshole!” Hands trembling, I raise them and place them on his well-defined chest. “I thought you died! Cal thought you died! How could you do this to us? How could you allow us to believe…” I trail off, dropping my hands to my sides as if he’s on fire.
“I did what I did to protect you,” Barret says slowly, that adorable crease between his eyebrows growing even more pronounced. His confused gaze flickers to the men behind me. “Did I do something wrong?”
“Nope,” Vin says simply.
“Nothing at all,” Mason adds.
“Yes, he fucking did!” I protest, resisting the urge to throw him over my knee and spank the shit out of him. “He made me think he was dead. I mourned for you, asshole!”
“But I’m still alive.” Barret sounds even more bemused as he stands slowly, stepping away from the chair. “Isn’t that a good thing?”
“Of course it’s a good thing, you beautiful fucker.”
With a huff, I stalk away from him, placing my balled hands on my hips.
Barret’s alive.
He’s here…and he’s alive.
He’s safe.
With a choked sob, I spin around and throw myself at the giant man. His arms immediately clasp around my waist, holding me steady. Tears prick my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall. Nope. Not me. Badass vampires don’t cry.
“You motherfucking shit-eating asshole,” I sob into his neck. His arms flex as they tighten around me, his head lowering to rest on top of my own.
“I’m sorry I scared you,” he whispers, quietly enough that the others can’t hear.
“And I’m sorry I called you a motherfucking shit-eating asshole, you motherfucking shit-eating asshole,” I manage to gasp out. After what feels like hours—but I know is only a few minutes—I get myself under control enough to step away and scrub at my wet eyes. From allergies, of course. “Did you see Cal yet? He needs to know you’re okay.”
Barret shakes his head. “I went to see you first. I assumed he would’ve been with you.” His slashing eyebrows pull low over his dark eyes. “Do you think he’s okay?”
“I’m sure he’s fine,” I say, more to myself than to him. Remember that pesky little bugger, hope? Well, I need to hold onto that with two hands, or else I’ll fall apart at the seams. “We can go look for him.” Turning towards Vin and Mason, I ask, “Can you guys—?”
“Sit at the portal and wait until Hux or Jack appear?” Mason finishes for me, flashing his signature crooked grin. “I would be honored to, m’lady.”
“Whipped,” Vin murmurs to his best friend.
“Yes, in the bedroom,” Mason deadpans. He grabs Vin’s shoulder and spins him towards the door. “Besides, I’m not going to be sitting by myself on the bleachers, am I? So who’s the whipped one?”
“It appears to be both of you,” Barret points out innocently, and I swear I could hug the big guy. Especially when Vin and Mason simultaneously glare at him.
“Please, for me?” I ask, batting my lashes. I know both Jack and Hux are strong and resilient, but I won’t be able to settle down until I see with my own two eyes that they’re safe. I send a silent prayer to whoever’s listening that they have made it out of the arena in one piece.
“Because you asked nicely,” Mason teases. “But I’m expecting a reward for good behavior.”
“A sexy reward?” I lift a brow, and heat instantly enters his eyes, darkening the color.
“If it involves you on a bed with a bow on top, then yes.”
“Come on, Casanova,” Vin huffs, dragging him from the room. But not before I catch his expression—longing and lust so pronounced that I’m left breathless. Vin may not
