Page 92

“Nix, it’s a lot,” Jay hesitates, his protective instincts kicking in.

“I can handle it. Please. I’m so close,” Nix pleads, his voice trembling with determination.

Jay exhales slowly, holding back the urge to turn the SUV around and drive in the other direction, because no matter how much Nix wants to do this, it’s not going to be anything but hard.

Angel’s Pain (Jay)

They turn onto Sweetgum Way, a quiet cul-de-sac with a modest single-car driveway and a garage big enough to fit both vehicles. The house is smaller than they’re used to, but Jay doesn’t mind the compact, easily defensible space.

Hopping out, Finn keys in the garage code, so Jay can pull the car inside with the CR-V close behind. He glances at Nix, who sits still in his seat, concern flickering in Jay’s chest.

“If I get dressed, will you walk over with me?” Nix’s voice is barely above a whisper, laced with such quiet desperation that Jay can’t bring himself to say no.

“Of course. Let’s get everything inside first, then I’ll break the news to Gideon.” Jay knows his mate won’t like the idea of them leaving the house without him, especially in unfamiliar territory, but it’s a toss-up whether Gideon will let it slide so he can make dinner or insist on joining them.

They pile out and into the main floor of the house. Gideon is already washing his hands while Leo drags bags down the hall toward the small laundry room at the end of the hallway.

Hot on his heels, Luca is squawking about washing the nesting materials, already stealing things he doesn’t want to be washed from the tops of the bags.

“I’m taking Nix on a short walk,” Jay offers when Nix returns, finally dressed in his red shorts and a T-shirt.

“Now? Can it wait? I’m cooking dinner,” Gideon says, glancing over his shoulder from the stove.

“Just me, Gid,” Jay replies, his voice calm but firm.

“And me,” Rowan interjects, arms crossed, standing stiffly in the foyer with his shoes still on as if bracing for the inevitable argument.

“No, Rowan. Just me and Jamie right now.”

“What? No.” Rowan shakes his head, his expression resolute.

Sighing, Nix steps closer and takes Rowan’s big hand in his own. “I know you want to come, to guard me and the babies. But this isn’t about me being a Were. This is about when I was human. If you want to see those places, I’ll take you—and anyone else who wants to go—tomorrow. But right now, I need it to be just me and Jamie.”

Rowan looks unconvinced, but before he can argue further, Grayson mutters from the doorway, “I don’t like this either.”

“Gray,” Nix sighs, his tone exasperated.

“But I respect your decision,” Grayson concedes, leaning against the doorframe and wiggling the burner phone. “Although, for the record, I’m going to watch you on the app, and I’m not apologizing for it.”

Nix chuckles softly, his shoulders relaxing. “Okay, I can live with that. Rowan?”

Rowan isn’t as easily mollified. “No. My wolf has a bad feeling, so…no.” The words are growled, his eyes flash from green to red and back again. It’s obvious to everyone that he’s losing the battle against his instincts.

“Rowan, down.” Gideon places a damp hand on Rowan’s neck, applying downward pressure. “Count. I’ll tell you when to stop.” The young enigma sinks to the floor, eyes closed.

Jay isn’t sure if it’s so he doesn’t see Nix leave or so he can concentrate.

“Go,” Finn whispers, handing Nix a pair of slip-on shoes.

Nix looks hesitant at Grayson’s clenched jaw and Rowan counting under his breath in a mix of languages. Not wanting to miss their opportunity, Jay leaves his mates in Gideon’s hands and hauls Nix out the beautiful stained glass front door, only stopping once they’re at the end of the driveway to let him put his shoes on.

“Do you think they’ll be alright?”

“Yeah. Gideon has them under control—hopefully.”

It’s weird being back in Nix’s old stomping ground, and when Nix slides his hand into Jay’s, it sends a shiver of déjà vu down his spine. They’d walked just like this on these same streets so many times.

Sweetgum Way is only two blocks over from where Nix used to live and it’s a simple walk that they make in silence. The Renas had built their home in a relatively new neighborhood shortly after Ivy had been born, and Nix had lived there until the day his family died in that accident.