30
Dominic raised the phone to his ear, his eyes darting between Dane and me as we sat frozen at the table. My heart thundered in my chest, each beat loud enough to drown out the low hum of the television. My appetite was gone, replaced by a sharp, gnawing unease.
“Hello,” Dominic said, his voice steady and firm, though the tension in his shoulders betrayed him. “Who is this?”
The room felt unnervingly still, the silence stretching like a rubber band pulled too tight. My fingers curled around the edge of the table, my nails pressing into the wood as I waited. My throat was dry, and my pulse was quickening.
Finally, his shoulders eased, and he let out an irritated sigh, his expression softening just enough to show relief. “What the hell, Alaric? Why are you calling from an unknown number? And this early?”
The knot in my stomach loosened slightly, but only for a moment.
Dane sighed in obvious relief, pushing back from the table with a wide grin. He grabbed the last bit of pancake on his plate, stuffing it into his mouth. His voice came out muffled as he chewed, too excited to slow down. “Uncle Alaric’s calling for me. It’s time for me to go.”
I shot up from my chair, my chest tightening. “Why an unknown number, though?” I asked, glancing between him and Dominic. “That’s… that’s suspicious, right?”
Dominic avoided my gaze, brushing past me as if my question didn’t matter. He muttered to Dane, “Get your things,” before disappearing into the small room where I’d spent the night. Moments later, he reemerged, dragging a battered box filled with what little belongings Dane had brought with him.
Dane moved to follow, but I grabbed his wrist before he could leave the table, my grip firm despite the tears threatening to spill. “Please,” I whispered, my voice cracking. “Please don’t go.”
He turned to me, his face softening as he cupped my cheeks in his hands, just like he used to when we were kids. He placed quick, fluttering kisses on my face, each one light but aching with finality. “I have to,” he said, his voice gentler now. “Alaric and I have a plan—taking Vaughn down for good. I’ll be back. I promise.”
I shook my head, pulling his hands away from my face and gripping them tightly. My voice wavered as I turned to Dominic, who stood by the door, holding Dane’s box. “Dominic can go,” I said desperately. “You don’t have to.”
Dominic’s sharp gaze landed on me, his expression cold and unyielding. For a moment, I thought he’d snap at me, but he didn’t say a word. Instead, he pushed past us, his shoulder brushing mine as he stepped outside, his silence louder than anything he could have said.
I stood frozen, watching as he trudged down the narrow path leading to the woods, his broad frame framed by the early morning light. The old blue Isuzu D-Max, which I now realized must have brought me here, waited at the edge of the clearing.
I folded my arms tightly over my chest, glaring after him like a petulant child. My vision blurred with tears as I turned back to Dane, who gave me a small smile before stepping out the door to follow Dominic.
I lingered by the door, my nose sore and my eyes blurry as I watched them go. My chest ached tremendously, and they had barely reached the car when an overwhelming wave of emotion surged through me. Before I could stop myself, I raced out into the open space, my bare feet slapping against the cool ground.
The morning air was heavy, the dampness clinging to my skin as the sounds of chirping birds overhead filled the space around me. The trees along the path swayed gently, their branches creating dappled shadows on the earth below. Each step I took felt heavier than the last, the weight in my chest nearly unbearable.
“Dane!” I called out, my voice trembling, breaking under the strain of my desperation.
He turned at the sound of my voice, his eyes widening slightly in surprise. Without a second thought, I launched myself into his arms, the force of my hug sending him stumbling backward until his back hit the side of the truck with a dull thud.
Across the vehicle, Dominic stood watching us, his expression a blend of irritation and indifference. He crossed his arms, his gaze sharp and unimpressed. If we’d been on better terms, I was sure he’d have teased me for being such a “pick-me girl,” as he liked to put it. But today, his silence only added to my growing sense of humiliation.
Dane, however, didn’t push me away. His arms wrapped around me tightly, his warmth an anchor as I dissolved into sniffles and quiet sobs against his chest. My tears soaked into his shirt, but he didn’t seem to care. His hand moved soothingly over my back, his touch gentle despite the tension in the air.
“Hey,” he murmured, his voice soft, almost a whisper. “It’s okay. I’ll be back before you know it.”
I shook my head against him, my grip tightening. “I don’t want you to go,” I mumbled, the words muffled by his shirt.
He sighed, resting his chin lightly on top of my head. “You know I have to,” he said, his voice steady but filled with regret.
Behind us, Dominic let out an audible huff, his irritation finally breaking through. “We don’t have time for this,” he snapped, his tone clipped.
I shot him a glare over Dane’s shoulder, but he didn’t flinch, only gesturing impatiently toward the truck.
Dane pulled back just enough to look at me, his hands resting on my shoulders. “I promise, this won’t be forever,” he said, his gaze earnest. “You’ll see me again, okay?”
I nodded reluctantly, wiping at my tear-streaked face with trembling hands. “You better come back,” I whispered, my voice hoarse.
Dane smiled, leaning down to press a light kiss to my forehead before gently guiding me back a step. “I will,” he said firmly.
As he turned to climb into the truck, Dominic gave me one last unreadable glance before sliding into the driver’s seat. The engine rumbled to life, and I stood there, rooted to the spot, watching them disappear down the narrow path until they were gone.
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