Wild and Free (The Three #3)(172)

Yeesh, if all her ancestors were as wise as her, it was no wonder Abel was so smart.

On this thought, I felt something funny so I looked to Abel to see his gaze aimed across the room. There was a small smile playing at his mouth.

I looked where his eyes were aimed, but I knew what I’d see.

The mirror image of my man, including the smile playing at his mouth.

Cain.

He knew his parents had chosen well as to who would raise Abel.

But I bet it didn’t suck to have that confirmed.

We all fell silent and I held Abel and his brother’s nonverbal communication close, using that to send positive energy out there to Serena and her mate and all those who were trying to save her.

Our silence lasted awhile before Dad broke it, muttering, “Christ, I could use a doobie.” I looked to him to see his eyes on Gregor. “You got any pot around this joint? My stash ran out three days ago.”

I felt Abel shaking with laughter and I turned to grin at him just when an unmistakable boop, boop, boop-ing sound came from Gregor’s computer.

His eyes sliced to it as his hand went with vampire speed to his mouse.

He clicked.

The boop, boop, boop-ing stopped and the room filled with a deep, smooth voice.

“Serena has been secured.”

I slumped against Abel as relief swept the room.

“However, the losses were again great,” the voice went on.

The relief vanished.

“We’re safe. My mate is weak, but she’s being seen to,” the voice kept going.

That meant it was Gastineau.

“The news of losses is distressing, Gastineau,” Gregor replied to the computer. “But I’m very pleased to hear of Serena’s rescue.”

“You have the phantoms,” Gastineau declared, and I stopped slumping against Abel. “A delegation is en route to your compound now. I’ll send missives to the rest. And you’re already aware that my queen has committed her wraiths to the side of The Real True.”

“We’re most grateful,” Gregor told him. “I await your delegation and word of Serena’s successful recovery.”

“Right,” Gastineau returned, then there was a different boop sound and I knew he had disconnected.

“Not a surprise. Positive energy works,” Teona stated, and I saw her smiling at Jian-Li. “Not our asses on the line, and probably just hopeful we did anything to help, but hope is powerful. We can never forget that.”

She was not wrong.

“No truer words spoken,” Barb voiced my thoughts (kinda).

“I’d suggest another jamboree, but all I got in me is to f*ck my vamp and crash in preparation of whatever shit we’re gonna face tomorrow,” Dad declared. “So I’m off to hit the hay.”

I grinned and looked at Abel, who was looking at Dad and shaking his head.

It didn’t take long for us to disburse, which we did on quiet, relieved, but edgy good-nights and tight hugs.

Abel and I were silent all the way to our room. We remained silent as we got ready for bed.

I continued the silence when we slipped between the sheets and he pulled me in his arms, front-to-front, and tucked my face into his throat.

I was guessing this meant no nookie.

I was disappointed, but I got that. He had a lot on his mind and I had to give him space to sort through it.

After a while, Abel ended the silence, giving me what was on his mind.

“They’re gonna be pissed that we got Serena.”

I closed my eyes.

“Yeah,” I whispered, pushing closer and holding him tight.

“They’re gonna retaliate.”

“Yeah,” I repeated, moving in to press my lips to the column of his throat.

“A lotta them still got concubines.”

I gave him a squeeze.

“This shit is gonna explode, Lilah, and soon,” he said.

“Probably,” I agreed.

“I hope like f*ck we’re ready,” he muttered.

I did too.

But I did it to myself.

Out loud, I stated firmly, “We’re ready.”

“And I hope like f*ck you’re right.”

“Shh, baby, clear your head. Sleep.”

“Need your hands and mouth on me.” He pulled me up so we were facing each other and dropped his voice low. “Need your wild. Need your brand of alive. Need to feel free the way only you can give to me even when we’re cooped up.”

“Whatever you need, honey,” I whispered, moving my hands on him.

“Love you, Lilah,” he whispered back, moving his hands on me.

“Love you too, Abel,” I replied before he dipped his head and kissed me.

Then I gave him my hands. My mouth. My wild. My brand of alive. And I did the best I could to make him feel free.

I guess I did all right, because after the third round, he cuddled us close again and fell asleep.

But I lay awake, hoping. Doing lots and lots of hoping. Sending my positivity into the universe with more hope that it would reach the fates that tied me to Abel, handing me beauty, making them decide on the side of right.

Only after I’d tired myself out hoping, I fell asleep.

*

They were dead.

All of them.

Every one.

Blood dripped in the gutters as I stood in the street amongst the results of pure evil, staring at the blond vampire. Taking in his arrogant grin. But also taking in the malevolence in his eyes.