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I sag with relief and walk away from the window, glaring at Max, who’s once again inside. “What were you thinking? That was a disaster.”

“It was fine. You had to tell them sometime, or you’d be like Jennifer. You should have heard about her camping trip. What a nightmare.”

“What did you do with Hillary?”

“She said she’d catch a ride with Ashlyn and Colin. She texted when she got home—she’s fine.”

“I hope you don’t get fired for skipping your first support group.”

“It will be all right,” Noah assures us both. “Hillary is a seasoned pre-vamp. No one will care that Max had to leave for a family emergency.”

“Does this really count as an emergency?” I cock my head to the side, questioning him.

A smile ghosts over his face. “It felt like an emergency when your parents showed up while you were gone.”

“I’m so sorry—they didn’t give me any warning.”

“I figured.”

Cassian stands. “Well, now that that’s over, I’m going to head out.”

“Me too,” Max says.

“Thanks for coming to my rescue. Sort of.”

My brother grins and follows Cassian out the door. “You’re welcome, Pip.”

As soon as they’re gone, Noah turns to me. “Are you okay?”

“It’s a miracle my dad didn’t drag me out of here.”

“I’m surprised he didn’t.” He frowns down at me, his eyes worried. “What did your mom say when you two disappeared?”

“That she doesn’t want us to date, that I need to kick you out, and that I had better lock my bedroom door tonight.”

“Because I’m a vampire?”

“Obviously. But also because you’re aman.” I rub my temples. “What did my dad say to you?”

“That he doesn’t want us to date, that I had better be out by tomorrow, and I had better not even think about touching you.”

“It’s nice that they’re so in sync,” I joke darkly.

“He’s probably going to start whittling stakes as soon as they get home.”

“I doubt he even sleeps,” I agree. “He’ll be in the garage all night, building up his armory.”

Noah groans, hanging his head back. He looks as stressed as I feel. When he looks back at me, I don’t like his expression. I don’t like it at all.

“Whatever it is you’re going to say, keep it to yourself,” I tell him.

His eyes soften like he’s about to deliver bad news. “I don’t want to go against your father’s wishes. It’s not a good way to start a relationship.”

“What are you saying?”

“He told me to break up with you.”

“And you agreed?”