Unspoken (Shadow Falls: After Dark #3)(40)

“Most parents don’t understand.” She thought about her parents, her father, and wondered what he thought he understood … what he believed. In her mind, she saw the way he looked at her these last few months. Was he really afraid of her?

“How are things at your home?” Steve asked, as if reading her mind.

“Crazy,” she said. “I’m guessing you heard about my dad.”

“Yeah. I’m sorry. I know that has to be hard.”

She nodded.

After a moment, he asked, “What changed?”

“What do you mean? I thought we weren’t going to talk about us.”

“No, I didn’t … I mean you coming back to Shadow Falls. I heard you went back to try to help out.”

She gave Baxter a slow pass of her hand across his back. “My being there wasn’t helping. It made things worse.”

“Not intentionally, I’m sure,” he said.

She stared at the dog. “No.” A bird called out in the night. “I think my dad knows.”

“Knows what?”

“That I’m vampire.” She glanced up, unsure why she’d told Steve this. She hadn’t even told Kylie or Miranda yet. Chase knew, but only because he’d eavesdropped. But the second she looked into the shape-shifter’s eyes, she understood her reasons. This was Steve. He’d always been so easy to talk to. He was safe. Even safer than before, she realized.

Perhaps he’d always been safe, but it hadn’t always felt that way. Now it did.

She didn’t have that need to run away, or to keep him at a distance. She wasn’t the least bit afraid. That, she realized, was what had changed.

And just exactly what did that mean?

*

Chase finished up with the sketch. Once outside the headquarters, he pulled out his phone and checked the time. Looking around, he spotted a bird in a tree. Was it just any bird, or was Burnett still having him followed?

Was he taking a chance?

He remembered the kiss he’d shared with Della. The one that she’d initiated, not him. And damned if that hadn’t felt good. Sooner or later, she’d understand that they were perfect for each other. She had to, didn’t she?

Maybe after she got her dad off, then they could start all over. A fresh start—one where she knew he was her choice, one where kisses and having a half-naked Della in his arms weren’t so uncommon.

And tonight’s little excursion might bring that about sooner. It might lead him to Douglas Stone. Burnett would get pissed, but, in a way, it had been his suggestion.

He dialed Leo. “We still on for later tonight?” he asked as soon as the guy answered the phone.

“Yeah, but Chase, are you really sure you want to do this? I’m sneaking you in, so I can’t send the guards in with you. I’ll be the only one covering the back entrance, which means I can’t go in.”

“I know,” he said. “I’ll be fine.”

“We’ve lost three people this year. They thought they would be fine, too. And they weren’t in there alone.”

“Let me worry about that.”

“Okay, be here at eleven and don’t be late.”

“Got it.” He hung up and looked at his cell again for the time. He had just enough time to go back to the cabin, feed Baxter and let him out, and then go off to the jail.

*

As he flew over Shadow Falls, he saw the campfire’s glow. Was Della there? He envisioned her with Miranda and Kylie. But a less desirable image hit. One of her cozying up to the fire with Steve’s arms around her. Jealousy filled his chest.

As tempting as it was to fly low enough to see, he knew he’d set off the alarm. So he flew past the orange glow and scent of roasted marshmallows and headed for the entrance.

Walking through the gate, knowing the camera had taken his picture and let him pass, he looked back over his shoulder to see if he had a tail. He didn’t spot one, but that didn’t mean shit. He hadn’t spotted one last night, either.

He came to the trail and debated making a quick visit to the bonfire. Taking off in a quick run, he got there in less than three minutes. The fire was huge, flames reaching up to the sky, and the popping sounds of burning wood filled the night air. Laughter rang out from a group of girls roasting hot dogs on sticks. A few couples, arm in arm, enjoyed each other’s company.

Lucas, hanging out by some trees, spotted him and waved. Standing close by the blue-eyed were was Kylie. But no Della. Chase walked over.

Kylie smiled. “Hey, I heard you’re back.”

“Yeah.” He noted that the girl’s smile seemed genuine. Did that mean Della hadn’t badmouthed him too much to her? Chase glanced back at Lucas and remembered that Burnett had sent him to follow the lead on the basketball.

“Your trip back to the park lead anywhere?”

“No, I stayed there several hours. I think Burnett sent another were agent to keep an eye out.”

Chase nodded and focused back on Kylie. “Is Della around?”

“I don’t think she’s back yet.” She pulled her phone out.

“She should be,” he said.

“I texted her a while back and told her to come here.” The blonde looked up. “She hasn’t texted me back. But she might have called it an early night. I think she had a rough day.”