Dozens of worst-case scenarios paraded through his mind, each worse than the last. A canyon opened up in his stomach as he waited for his sister’s response.
River half-choked, half-sobbed, “No, but… I need you.”
CHAPTER 12
It’s Not That Simple
Brynleigh stumbled back, her heart thundering in her chest. What the actual fuck was she doing?
Bringing Ryker on a kill with her was one thing, but almost kissing him? That was another matter entirely.
Isvana help her, but Brynleigh could not afford to lose her mind around Ryker. She had to keep her head on her shoulders.
The fae captain was making that maddeningly difficult.
One minute, he was staring at her like he didn’t know her, and the next, his lips were hovering over hers.
The problem—and it was a problem—was that she wanted him to kiss her. She wanted him to give her everything, even though their problems weren’t solved. All it had taken was a few moments of attention, and her body was ready to forget every one of their issues.
She wasn’t sure how she felt about that.
Ryker pressed the phone against his ear, and a line creased his forehead. Brynleigh could sense his rising panic.
He asked, “What’s the matter?”
A choked sob came through the phone, audible thanks to Brynleigh’s vampiric hearing.
“You need to come home,” River said. “Now.”
Ryker inhaled sharply. “Is it?—”
“Come home,” River repeated. “Hurry.”
Blood drained from the fae captain’s face, and he assured his sister he would be there soon before hanging up. His face was far paler than it had been moments before.
The fear in his eyes made Brynleigh’s stomach want to curl in on itself.
Ryker cleared his throat. “That was… My father…”
“I heard.” Brynleigh shook her head. “You need to be with your family.”
Her heart ached. She had no right to include herself in that group. Not after the lies she’d told and the game she’d played.
His distraction was evident on his face as he nodded and started moving towards the house.
“Yes, I have to…” Ryker halted, a groan escaping him that could have leveled cities. “Damn it. I can’t leave you…”
Alone.
He didn’t say the last word, but it echoed through the forest like he’d screamed it.
Because Brynleigh was untrustworthy.
Just like that, any warmth they’d cultivated earlier was gone.
Wrapping her arms around herself, Brynleigh shook her head and strode past Ryker up the steps.
“Don’t worry, I’ll come with you and won’t cause any problems.” Her voice was miraculously steady.