“Yeah,” Vee said. “How did you know?”
I jumped up from my chair, anger instantly pulsing through my veins.
“Byron, what is it?” Damyr asked, his voice laced with caution.
“Wilder’s father. Lawler fucking Rowan,” I growled. “He keeps cropping up and I don’t fucking like it.”
My hands flew through my hair, my mind running at a thousand miles a second. I needed to get Wilder somewhere safe. He couldn’t be here. I needed to protect him.
I had to keep him safe.
He was mine.
All mine.
Mine. Mine.MINE!
Hands gripped my shoulders, and I lashed out. My fist connected with something solid and there was a grunt of pain, but it didn’t really register. I had to leave. Had to check on Wilder.
I darted to the door, but something slammed into my side and threw me to the floor.
Damyr’s bright blue eyes filled my vision, and something buzzed in my ears like white noise.
“Calm down, Byron,” Damyr whispered softly, his words ricocheting around my brain and soothing my chaos.
“I have to save him. I have to be near him, Damyr.”
He frowned at me, and I could sense the wary glances from the others on the sofa but I couldn’t seem to pull my focus away from Damyr. He must be using his compulsion on me to keep me still. Sensible, even if I hated it.
“Let me go,” I said as I flexed my hands against his biceps.
“Are you going to punch me again?” he asked with a chuckle.
It was only then that I clocked the blood under his nose.
Oops.
“No, but I need to be near him, Damyr. I…” I trailed off, unsure how to put into words what I needed.
“I understand,” he replied softly as he leant back and gave me some space. “Probably better than most. Although I am surprised it’s Wilder. I thought I would have to spend time keeping him safe from you.”
I got to my feet and shook out my hand that I used to hit Damyr. I think I might have broken a knuckle. “Oh, you definitely should, but don’t worry. I don’t want to kill him anymore. I just want to have some fun.”
“I don’t think that’s any better,” Vlad called after me as I headed towards the door.
I cast a quick glance over my shoulder towards Damyr. “I’m sure Bishop will tell you if he finds anything. Now I think we should all go and enjoy our Christmas treats.”
Then I walked out of the room and headed back to Wilder like the Devil was on my heels.
Chapter Twelve
Wilder
The fogginess of sleep clung to my mind, making my thoughts feel slow and sluggish.
I opened my eyes and blinked away the sleep. The ceiling above me wasn’t mine. Where the hell was I?
I swallowed, and my mouth was drier than the desert. How much did I drink last night? And why was my throat so sore? I couldn’t quite grasp the memories. It was like chasing smoke that kept disappearing on the breeze.