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“I don’t know about all of them, but I do.”

“Then what the hell are you waiting for?” she scoffs, waving her arms. “Track.”

“Simple as that, huh?” He clenches his jaw. “I won’t leave Saylor alone. Have you heard all the stories yet of what the women here have been through? I won’t join the ranks of leaving my mate alone.”

“Hey,” Laken growls.

“You know it’s true,” Elijah says.

“Whatever,” Laken replies.

“No,” I snapped. I push out of his arms. “I am done with this.” I take a deep breath, knowing he’s not going to like what I have to say. “I want to draw him out.”

“No.” His eyes narrow.

“Yes. Let’s get this over with. I don’t want to run anymore. Before I met you, I was determined to somehow trap him, draw him out alone. I want him dead. He’s been fucking up my life long enough. I’m done,” I say firmly.

“I’m not going to let you be used as bait,” Elijah growls.

“Let me?” I glare.

“Uh-oh,” Sally whispers.

Chapter Seventeen

Saylor

My hands land on my hips.

“I won’t purposely put you in danger,” he says, stubbornly.

“I won’t be alone for long. If your friends are willing, we ask them to be close. The vampires can hide so much better than the others, and you. I leave my scent. I make a trail even an asshole like him can track.” I watch him carefully, hoping he will see reason.

“No,” he repeats, his teeth clenched.

“Elijah,” I say softly, getting close. I put my palms on his chest. “You know you can find me fast. We will make a perimeter. Everyone will be on the same page. We can do this.” He softens and I slam my point home. “I don’t want to run anymore. I would hate to have to draw him away from here. Away from you and your friends. One way or the other, I have to end this. He took away so much. Don’t let me take away what we could have. Don’t let him take me away from you.”

“Not fair,” he sighs. He pops a new toothpick in his mouth. “But I hear you. I know it’s the truth.”

“We have to do this.” I press against him and tip my head back. “You won’t lose me. Your mark will lead you to me. The bond will guide you.”

“No shit. Who could miss the teeth marks on your neck?” Sally shoves a doughnut in her mouth. “Good job, cowboy,” she garbles around the food.

“Jesus, she’s going to be living here.” He adjusts his hat.

“Yep,” she smiles, her teeth filled with food.

“It’s a good idea,” Bash interjects. “We are fast, too. If Grant is preoccupied with Saylor, he won’t notice us. Some shifters don’t know how to track us.” He looks pointedly at Elijah. “You’ll have to trust us again.”

“Can’t wait,” Elijah says dryly.

“Can we help?” Las asks, stepping close.

“I think we are going to need all of you,” Elijah nods.

“Especially if Grant touches her, you’ll have to hold him back from slaughtering them all,” Sally says wryly.

“That would be a bad thing?” Elijah sneers.