Page 30

Chapter Thirty

Saylor

I clean up as best as I can in the in-plane bathroom, even though I’m not sure it does much good.

I need a shower, but the thought makes my skin itch. My instincts are completely content knowing I smell heavily of my alphas.

I sit with Valor during landing, and his strong arms make me feel more protected than a seat belt ever could.

He kisses my forehead, running his hand down my spine. His affection spills through the bond, and he grabs my hand, bringing it to rest over his chest. “You know how much you mean to me. Right, little one? You can feel that?”

“I do.” I nod. “You’re important to me too.”

“You saved me, sweet girl. I’m not sure there’s anything I can ever do to repay you, but I will spend the rest of my life loving the hell out of you.”

I might have saved him from being put down, but he saved me too. From Vlad and Sergei and all the other alphas who wouldn’t have cared if I said no.

My heart skips a beat, then flutters like it’s trying to escape my chest. “I love you too,” I assure him, stealing a kiss.

It’s slow and reverent and filled with emotion.

It’s also an excellent distraction because I don’t realize the plane has landed until Valor pulls back to breathe.

His dark eyes meet mine as he nuzzles his nose against mine. “You’re finally home.”

“Yeah,” I agree, but it doesn’t take long to understand…

Wherever they are is where home would be.

* * *

Ridge files off the plane first.

Leo, Shaw, and Omen are right behind him.

Valor carries me down the stairs wrapped up in the blanket we carried with us from Germany. He stops on the bottom step and rocks on his feet.

“What the fuck is this?” Shaw growls.

My body goes stiff, and I turn in Valor’s hold.

We’re at another small airport, and we exited right out on the runway.

My father stands next to Easton, the owner of Shadow Security. There are two men at Easton’s side that are wearing the company logo, but I stiffen seeing my father’s press secretary and several of his campaign advisors.

“The senator seems to think this moment would be a nice photo op,” Easton says.

Leo spins around and comes back to stand in front of me and Valor.

Shaw raises a hand, jabbing a finger at the crowd of my father’s men. “I swear to fuck, the first camera I spot is getting destroyed. That doesn’t even speak to what I’ll do to your face.”

Omen chuckles. “I’ll help.”

“I recognize Leo and Shaw. Who are those two?” My father asks with a snide tone that instantly lets me know he’s talking about Omen and Valor.

Easton shrugs. “They don’t work for me. Perhaps you should try asking your daughter.”

“Let me down,” I say, patting Valor’s arm.

He sighs but places me on my feet.

I untangle from the blanket, running my hands down my dress. Never in a million years did I think my father would show up here.

I tease my hand down Leo’s arm as I step around him, awkwardly waving at my dad with the other.

Samantha and my little brothers are nowhere to be seen. I wouldn’t mind seeing the boys, but I know better than to hope my stepmother isn’t here because he finally found some honor and said enough was enough.

“Saylor, I thought I might never see you again,” my father says, staggering forward. “Thank God. I’ve prayed every day since you were taken.”

Cece, my father’s press secretary, scratches away in her notebook.

My head tilts.

I think she’s got a recording device clipped to the top of the clipboard that she’s using as leverage.

That figures.

Any experience is something that can be leveraged to help his poll numbers.

“Where are Samantha and the boys?” I ask, taking a step back as my father gets closer.

My father flattens a hand over his tie as he continues toward me. “They wanted to be here, but it’s late. We had no idea what kind of condition you might be in?—”

Easton scoffs. “I told you she was fine.”

My father ignores him, saying, “I have a doctor on standby to see you immediately. Your kidnapping has been kept out of the press, but it’s only a matter of time…”

My head shakes.

I should have seen this coming.

It’s always been a battle between what my mother’s family would want—for all of us to stay under the radar.

Any press is bad press to them. They’ve likely helped to squash all news of my kidnapping.

And what my father wants—any opportunity to gain public sympathy.

The poor senator whose daughter was kidnapped.

Only, I won’t allow him to use me anymore.

I certainly won’t be going back to his house to be forced to live alongside Samantha. She hoped I wouldn’t be saved, and my father knows that.

He just doesn’t give a shit.

Not as long as it benefits him.

But I’m done with his games.

“My kidnapping?” I give him my best vacant look, blinking repeatedly. “Is that what you’re trying to tell the press?”

“What is this?” my father hisses, spinning to look at Easton.

“I’m sorry you disapprove of my choices in life partners, but concocting a story like this is extreme.” I pull my shoulders back, preparing to carry on the lie I just created. “I’m bonded now, and it can’t be taken back. So, you can have thoughts and feelings and make threats all day, but it won’t change a thing. You won’t bully me into complying. Not ever again.” Refocusing on Cece, I give her a polite smile. “I will do every interview that I’m offered if you don’t put a stop to whatever he’s up to. My heat still hasn’t come to an end, and we have to drive back to Vermont before I can sleep. Keep me out of everything from here on out, or I will fight back, and I can promise you, it won’t be pretty.”

With that, I spin around and head back to my guys. Well, the three of them that still stand near the bottom of the plane stairs.

Shaw stays behind to glare at my father, but I face-plant into Leo’s chest.

He wraps his arms around my back and nuzzles his cheek to the top of my head. “You okay?”

I nod as Valor slides behind me, running his hand down my spine. “I will be. Let’s go home.”

“I can’t wait to see it,” Omen says, leaning over and kissing the side of my head.

“Come on, Easton brought an extra car,” Shaw calls. “We’re riding with Ridge. He’ll drop us off.”

“No fucking in the vehicle,” Ridge grumbles. “My ears are scarred for life.”

I snort, burying my face deeper in Leo’s chest.

I never thought so much could change in the blink of an eye, but it did. I’m not the same person who went to Amsterdam on vacation. I’ve changed, gained four bonded mates, grown into my own, and I’m so ready to leave the baggage of my father behind.

Before I went to Europe, I would have been heartbroken to see him choose Samantha over me once again , but I’ve built my own family now.

Samantha and the boys can have the senator.

I don’t want him.

All I want is to settle into Leo and Shaw’s apartment and truly start our lives as a bonded pack.

And that’s exactly what I intend to do.