The Ripple Effect (Rhiannon's Law #3)(88)

“But you won’t.” He could overpower my mind and force me to do as he wanted, but he wasn’t going to.

“I’m sorry, but no.” Regret weighed his words, the gravity easy to feel. “If I did, I’d have to wipe the memory clean. You need to be aware of everything that has happened, to remember it all, even the things you’d rather forget. I refuse to have any lies between us, Rhiannon. From this moment forward, we have to share everything. Our survival depends on it.”

“Then start by telling me what you’re keeping from me.” His gaze bolted from my lips to my eyes. I’d caught him off guard. A rarity. “I’m not used to the mark being open between us, but I’m starting to understand it. I know you’re worried about something. Tell me what it is.”

He frowned and lifted his head, staring into the distance. “We can’t go back to the way things were. I refuse to go back to the way things were. My actions have damned not only me, but you as well. We will have to fight for what we want. It’s going to be more than dangerous. Do you understand?”

“Do you mean no more vampire rules to follow? No more f*cked up evening dinners to attend?”

His smile was forced, but I basked in it, finding a measure of comfort in the gesture. “For starters.”

“Then I say it’s not so bad to be damned.” I wrapped my fingers around his wrist and moved his hand until my cheek rested in his palm. In turn he reached between me and Jennifer, grasped the leather wrapped around my neck, and removed the amulet.

“When you wear this, I can’t trace you. That’s why I had Paine shadowing you. If we’re going to move around freely, you’re going to have to hand this over. It’s the only way I won’t be detected.”

“You have a plan?”

The hatred in his eyes set me back, startling me. “Yes.”

Reaching out, I touched the thing. I didn’t know the proper words or protocol, only that free will dictated the passing of the amulet from one individual to another.

“I give you this freely,” I murmured. His frown told me the amulet was still dead and I explained, “I sucked all the juju from it when I banished the demon. If we’re lucky, it’ll recharge fast. From what I’ve read, most mystical items only take a few hours to regenerate, depending on the origin of their creator.” Since Marigold was a fallen angel, a supposed creature of the Holy Savior, I crossed my fingers that the regeneration started during the day—as in soon.

“This is forbidden and unknown territory.” He settled the leather cord over his neck and exhaled slowly. “Vampires do not turn rogue. Half-demons expect a hierarchy. They’ll hire assassins. We’ll be forced to fight for our lives.”

This time when I smiled, it was real. “Not necessarily.”

I wasn’t good at projecting thoughts to Disco, and considering what had happened not so long ago between us I was somewhat surprised at how easy it was to now, but when he realized I wanted to show him something he delved inside my head, sorting through the information I readily shared.

I had a new identity thanks to Goose’s careful planning, as well as money—both tucked into the back seat of the limo. True, I’d put a lot of trust in the fact that Jerry wouldn’t leave. But I also knew there was nowhere to safely hide the information. The manila envelopes bought Disco and me a safe ticket out of New York. Marigold Vesta had promised me her protection if I could return her to her body. Hurting Disco meant hurting me. By falling into her good graces, he would as well by default. Or at least I hoped.

He didn’t like the deal I’d made with Bane, however.

“It doesn’t matter,” he said regarding the issue. “I purchased a residence long ago that no one knows about. We can stay there until my plans are in order.”

“You’re so sure no one knows about it?”


“I’m positive.” A steely glint entered his eyes. “I won’t take refuge from someone I can’t trust. Your stranger is unknown to me.”


“That doesn’t mean anything.” When he looked at my quizzically I reminded him, “I trusted Goose, and look what he did. Sometimes it’s smart to keep your friends close, your enemies closer, and the strangers you meet on speed dial. If we need weapons, Bane can get them.”

“You have a point, but it doesn’t matter. Jerry will take us to the vehicle I had set aside in the event you agreed to leave with Paine and Ethan. If we drive through the day, we can arrive at our destination by nightfall.”

Bane wouldn’t like it, but fortunately I didn’t owe him anything. I’d give him a courtesy call when Disco and I were safe, just to keep our quasi-relationship amiable. No sense in burning any bridges we might need to cross for safety. Maybe in the future I could help Bane out, give him the clues he was after, but since I had a long to-do list he’d have to get in line.

“You’re sure it’s safe?”

“I won’t risk you again,” he answered, as though that explained everything. “No more doing things behind my back. Those days are over.” I nodded my agreement, and he stroked the back of his hand along my cheek, his knuckles light on my skin. “We find your angel, bring her back and gain an ally.”

“There’s more, though. Isn’t there?” I asked, feeling a stirring within him, knowing he wanted to tell me something.