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Chapter 7

Declan

There was no greater feeling than holding the woman you loved in your arms. As my arm tightened once around Addie’s thin waist, I marveled at how lucky I was to have found her. Again. Not many people could say they ended up with their childhood sweethearts.

Reluctantly, I untangled myself from Addie’s sleeping form, pulled on my pants, and made my way downstairs. Fallon, who had left only a few minutes before me, was standing by the coffee pot with his muscular arms folded over his chest. His eyes were intent on Ryder as he discussed all that had transpired during our absence.

Ronan and Asher sat at the dining room table, sipping coffee from their mugs. Tamson was volleying his gaze from Fallon to Ryder as the two talked. I didn’t see Calax anywhere, but knowing the ugly bastard, he was probably still sleeping.

“Morning,” I signed, moving to the coffee machine and pouring myself a steaming cup. Through some miracle, we had come across a battery operated coffee pot. I didn’t even know shit like that existed, but it was a blessing in disguise. I needed the bitter liquid to survive the day.

I turned, shocked to see all eyes were on me. Fallon’s were curious while the others’ were wary.

“Is she still asleep?” Ronan signed rapidly. His dark brow was furrowed.

Frowning, I nodded once and took a sip of the blistering hot liquid. It soothed my throat and warmed my cold hands.

Ronan exchanged an undefinable look with Asher before nodding once and walking upstairs where Addie slept. I lifted a brow at their odd behavior.

It was Tamson that spoke, pushing his reddish brown hair out of his face. “She gets nightmares if she’s alone for too long.”

Nightmares?

That was new.

Sarge must’ve been thinking the same thing, for he set down his own cup of coffee and took a step closer. He looked intimidating as fuck in the flames of the candles, all sharp edges, broody scowl, and barely contained power.

“What’s going on?” he asked. I imagined his voice would be dark, clipped.

Once more, the guys leveled one another with that same look. I could feel my never ending patience splintering. Seemingly on the same wavelength as me, Fallon pounded his fist onto the table.

Ryder’s face was grave when he spoke next. I might’ve believed he was impassive if his eyes hadn’t tightened, pain emanating back at me from his umber gaze.

“Calax.” His lips moved slowly though his hands remained pressed down on the tabletop. Normally, the guys were more considerate when speaking to me. Whatever he had to say was obviously bad enough if he couldn’t even sign it.

I braced myself for the words I knew would change my life.

“He’s dead.”

I froze, muscles bunching together as pain and grief consumed me. The coffee mug slipped from my fingers and shattered. The world was spinning rapidly, wildly, and I desperately grasped the back of the chair in order to orient myself to my new reality. A reality without Calax in it. Without his customary scowl and the warmth that seeped into his eyes only around us and Addie. The protective way he cared for each and every one of us.

My best friend.

My brother.

I swayed, and Asher rushed forward to help me sit down. Numbness encased me, overwhelming even the pain. Oh the irony. Who would’ve thought numbness would be stronger than grief?

Out of the corner of my eye, I took stock of Fallon’s expression. He was standing there, eyes staring at something on the far wall. His face was apathetic, and not even I could derive anything from his facial features. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed deeply.

“What happened?” he asked.

I turned my attention towards Ryder to read his lips. I needed to know; I needed to understand. Pain grasped me in iron claws, refusing to release me.

“We were at the house.” Ryder wouldn’t meet either of our gazes. “After Addie had gotten off the radio with you.” He nodded towards Fallon who remained immobile, rooted to his spot against the granite countertop. “Something happened...I’m not sure what...but there were suddenly Ragers everywhere. He was carrying Addie, but they were surrounded. He sacrificed himself for her.”

Tears marred Ryder’s face as he recollected the memory. His agony was almost tangible, and I knew the pain was reflected in my own eyes. Hearing what had happened…

While I had stubbornly decided my own life wasn’t worth living…