“He’ll also have to go through Gwendolyn Goode. With Gwen comes Graham. And with Graham comes a fuck of a lot of badassery all on his own but, if that isn’t enough, also comes with the additional force of Gravewatch at his back. That’s a whole legion of highly trained men who’d enjoy nothing more than pounding a dick like your uncle into the dirt.”
“I get what you’re trying to say but?—”
“And then there’s Sally, Agatha, and their entire Bay Colony Coven. Can’t say I’m hip on the witchy woo-woo, so to speak, but I do know I wouldn’t want a dozen Wiccans on my ass, cursing me to Hell.”
I could no longer formulate any excuses or interjections.
“I see I’m finally making my point,” Cade murmured, scanning my face. “You have a network of protection here. A strong one.”
“I don’t want anyone protecting me because they feel sorry for me.”
“Tell me you’re kidding.”
“I’m not kidding. I don’t need their pity.”
“It isn’tpity, Imogen. People around here like you. They like being around you. You’re a good friend and a good person. Why is that so difficult for you to understand?”
I blinked at him. I didn’t really have an answer to that.
“Yeah,” he muttered, scoffing. “That’s what I thought. Now, can we go to sleep? I have to be up in four hours.”
“Okay,” I whispered, totally overwhelmed. I couldn’t stop my mind from replaying the words he’d just said. Mostly, though, I couldn’t stop my heart from clenching as a now-familiar feeling stole through my body.
Home.
In these strong arms.
In this warm bed.
In this strange town.
I was finally home.
And, crazy as it was….
I didn’t ever want to leave.
* * *
When I woke up the next morning, Cade was already gone. The puppy was asleep beside me in his spot, snoring lightly, his jowls slackened on the pillow. I sat up against the headboard and spotted a note on the nightstand. Socks lifted his head when I reached across his furry form to nab it.
There was a short message scrawled in Cade’s blocky handwriting.
Goldie—
Gone to search for Rory. If I get a break, I’ll swing by The Gallows. If not, I’ll see you tonight. Could be late — don’t wait up.
And don’t wear anything to bed.
(Yes, that includes the gloves.)
— C
I pressed the note to my chest as a flurry of idiotic, lovestruck butterflies burst to life in my stomach. I tried to hold onto my annoyance at his bossiness —Who did he think he was, ordering me to sleep in the nude?— but it was an impossible task. Joy was coursing through my bloodstream, invigorating my whole body.
Until I saw the alarm clock.
“Shit! Is that the time?” I shrieked, scrambling off the bed. “Socks, I’m going to be late! Come on, boy, let’s move! Gwen will be here any minute!”