Warrior (Relentless #4)(189)

I closed my hand around hers to stop her from walking away. I’d handled things wrong again and upset her. I hated the tension stretching between us, especially since I couldn’t stay and talk things out.

“I hate to leave you upset, but I have to go. We’ll talk when I get back, okay?”

She nodded quietly.

A touch was not enough. I pulled her into my arms, and she came, unresisting.

“I’ll see you in a day or two,” I said tenderly.

My chest swelled when her arms snaked around my waist.

“Be careful,” she whispered.

“Always.” It would take an army of vampires to keep me from coming back to her. I tilted her chin toward me and brushed my lips across hers.

I let her go and reached around her to open the door. I waited until she went inside and closed the door behind her before I headed back.

The team was stowing gear in the SUVs when I got there. I grabbed my own bag, which was always packed and ready to go, and climbed behind the wheel of one of the vehicles.

Chris took the passenger seat and gave me a questioning look, but I wasn’t in the mood to talk about it. He rested his head against the back of his seat and muttered, “It’s going to be a long few days.”

The jet was fueled and waiting on clearance when we got to the airport in San Jose. The current situation in the country had prompted Tristan to supply us with our own jet for reasons exactly like this. If you were going to fight an enemy like ours, it helped to have unlimited resources.

While we waited to leave, I called Tristan and filled him in.

“Are you sure it’s her?” he asked shakily.

“I won’t know for sure until I see her in person, but Chris and I both believe it’s her.”

“Dear God,” he breathed. “After all this time.”

I ran a hand through my hair. “Sara said she and her friends would find her. I have to admit I didn’t think they would do it this fast.”

“How is Sara doing?” he asked. “She says she doesn’t care about her mother, but this can’t be easy on her.”

“I think she’s more upset that I left her at home.” I remembered her hurt look as she’d closed the door.

“Ah.”

“I understand why she wants to be there when we find Madeline, but it’s not worth endangering her life.”

“You don’t think she’ll try to follow you?” he asked.

“No.” Sara had promised me at Christmas that she wouldn’t run off again, and I believed her. Though that wouldn’t make her any less upset with me.

I exhaled slowly. It was going to take a lot more than a few kisses to make this up to her.

I thought about calling Roland and asking him to visit, but I already knew that was out of the question. Maxwell wasn’t going to let him and Peter leave New Hastings, let alone Maine, until they graduated from school and worked off their punishments.

I could ask Nate to come, but he was finally writing again, and Sara wouldn’t want to disrupt him. I could think of no one else, except…

When the idea came to me, I couldn’t believe I hadn’t thought of him first. If anyone could distract Sara and cheer her up, it was that arrogant Englishman. And he’d do anything for her.

“Tristan, would it be possible for me to speak to Desmund?”

“Desmund? Uh…sure. I’ll see if I can find him.”

I smiled, imagining the look on Tristan’s face. I doubt anyone ever called for the warrior. Desmund had been ill for so long I wasn’t sure he knew how to use a phone.

“I’m transferring you to his apartment.”

“Thanks,” I said before Desmund’s phone began to ring.

“Hello?” said a clipped English voice. “Tristan?”

“Nikolas,” I corrected him.

There was silence for a moment. “Is Sara okay?”

“She’s fine,” I assured him. “Listen, are you free for a week or so?”

I figured it would take that long for her to start talking to me again.

“That depends,” he replied haughtily. “I’m planning a trip to England, but I suppose I could postpone it if I’m needed here.”

“How would you feel about a trip to California first? I’m on my way to Canada for a few days, and Sara’s not happy about it. I think a visit from you would cheer her up.”

“You want…me to visit your mate while you are away?” he asked slowly. “Are you not worried I’ll steal her away from you right under your nose?”

I knew he was trying to get a rise out of me, just like I knew he was going to say yes to my invitation.

“I’m willing to chance it,” I retorted dryly.

He took a moment to answer. “I’d love to visit with Sara. When would you like me to be there?”

“Tomorrow, if you can.”

“I’ll let Tristan know I need to use the plane. Tell Sara I’ll see her tomorrow.”

“Actually, I think I’ll let you surprise her.”

Chris waved at me to let me know it was time to take off.

“Listen, I have to go. The plane is waiting for me. Thank you for doing this.”

“I would say you owe me, but it’s my pleasure.”