Love's Cruel Redemption (The Ghost Bird #12)(123)

He loved her.

And in that one moment, that single moment with her, kissing her by the fire, all the other doubt he’d had about the plan, about if she wanted this, about how it would all work in the future. It all vanished. They’d been through this much together. He’d screwed up so much.

Yet she was here. Not a word about what had happened.

He lifted a hand, fingers moving through her hair to rest his palm against the back of her head. He held her to himself, all the fear disappearing.

He thought to stop it, but he didn’t want to let go. Not when he had her back in his arms.

He’d change this. He’d find a house for her. He’d tell the guys he was in. For as long as she wanted them to be together. That they’d make the team work. He’d take the fall for Erica, if he needed to. He’d live in secret.

Eventually the kiss did break, but they didn’t talk. They simply clung to one another, pressed into each other.

She buried her face into his chest. He hugged her.

He promised himself, and later he’d promise her.

This was going to be his first priority from now on.





A




Sang

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Nathan and I sat next to each other on the ride home in the late hours. We were in Kota’s car. Victor and Luke went to Victor’s house. He was going to check in with his parents and then leave shortly after to join us.

I made sure the boys said nothing to Nathan about what happened as we were leaving. They’d promised Mr. Blackbourne. They promised me with just a look we shared when Nathan and I exited Lily’s house.

He’s back. Don’t pressure him. Let’s go home.

At first in the car, Nathan kept his distance from me, sitting on his side and focused on the road.

But I eased closer. On the way down the drive, he put an arm around my shoulders.

By the time we were on the highway heading west, I had my head in his lap and he had a couple of fingers circling my earlobe.

Within moments, I was dozing.

I didn’t wake up until we got back to Sunnyvale. I was surprised we were there. The lights from the diner woke me and the turn onto the street had me sitting up.

Nathan brushed hair away from my face. “You don’t have to wake up,” he said.

“Where are we going?”

“My house,” he said. “But a quick stop at Kota’s for me. I just want to check in with Erica.”

“Is she up?”

“I think so.”

He parked Kota’s car in the Lee’s driveway. We got out, the moon above our heads was full and bright, lighting up the street better than the street lamps.

Victor headed for Nathan’s house.

Nathan waited for me as I circled around the car. He put an arm around me and kissed the side of my head close to my ear while we were walking.

“Let’s not kiss in front of the others,” I said. “Kota doesn’t like seeing it.”

“I know,” he said. “There’s a lot to talk about.” He sighed. “Does Erica know?”

“Yes. She knows about you. Not the others.”

He quieted. He stopped walking and we stood in the garage in Kota’s house. Erica’s car was parked in its spot. He was looking at it absently.

“What?” I asked, realizing my voice echoed in the space. I quieted.

“I don’t know if we should tell her about the others,” he said. “I don’t know how to tell her.”

“I think we need to give her time with just the three of us.”

“I don’t want to lie to her, though.”

I didn’t disagree with this. Would it be worse letting us continue to carry this forward? But tonight wasn’t the night. “I think we’ll have a bit to explain anyway after Jessica saw you and Danielle.”

I didn’t mean to bring it up but he grumbled and shook his head. “That should never have happened. I’m sorry.”

“I know what happened,” I said softly. “We all know her well enough to know she’d do some horrible trick. Victor told me in the car what it was about. For the most part, they’ll get what they wanted out of it.”

The corner of his mouth perked up. “Not really. Marie, sure. She can get out of school. Danielle? She’ll have to explain to her mom. And why not let a letter from the school get to her parents so they find out?”

My eyes widened. “You’ll do that?”

“She might get it, if her parents approve. She’d have to convince them. Marie’s out. She could have gotten out when she wanted. But we’ll help her graduate. In the least, we’ll get her to take the GED so she’ll have that.”

So they were just waiting long enough for them to cough up the secret they were holding on to.

He tilted his head, still kind of seeming off. His eyes were dark, and his expression tired. I thought he was going to say something.

He moved away from me, stepping close to Erica’s car, looking into the back seat.

He opened the door quickly.

A waft of air hit my nose, from inside the car, the scent catching me off guard.

Jasmine...

Before I could say anything, Nathan pulled out a white mask that had been tucked under the seat. Only it wasn’t just the mask. It had a modulator attached to it.