Page 63 of Protected Promise

“Breathe, Tobi. Just breathe,” Landon reassured her calmly.

“Almost there. You’ve got this,” Jackson cheered.

She noticeably relaxed when we hit the ground floor and the elevator doors opened.

“Thanks. I’ll never get used to that contraption,” she mumbled as she quickly got off the elevator.

Jackson and Landon shared a knowing look.

I let Landon lead the way to the parking garage to find his car. My stuff took up so much room that I had no idea how we were going to fit in Tobi and the extra luggage, but somehow Landon managed to repack things to accommodate us all.

“The space isn’t that big, but should be enough now,” he finally said.

“No worries. I’ll take it. I will probably just sleep the whole time anyway,” I confessed.

“Don’t be silly. I’ll take it. You sit up front with Landon,” Tobi insisted.

“Are you sure? I really don’t mind.”

“I’m sure.”

Before I could argue further, she opened the door behind the driver’s seat and turned to say goodbye to her mate.

“It’s only a week,” he reminded her.

“I know. I just hate being apart.”

My heart ached for her. I looked over to Landon as I studied him. How would I handle being away from him? In such a short time he was quickly becoming my everything. That was a little terrifying but thrilling at the same time.

To keep myself from gawking further, I gave a small wave to Jackson and slid into the passenger seat. Landon shook his hand and embraced him before joining me in the cab of the vehicle.

He reached for my hand like it was the most normal thing in the world.

“Are you ready to go home, gorgeous?”

I smiled so big it hurt my cheeks. “I am,” I said confidently.

It took Tobi and Jackson a few more minutes and several kisses bordering on inappropriate for public before she finally slid into the back seat. He closed the door, blew her one final kiss, and we were on our way.

Of course I slept through most of the ride. I just couldn’t seem to stay awake in a moving vehicle.

“Are you happy?” I heard Tobi ask without opening my eyes.

“Yeah, I am.”

“She has her fair share of demons. I don’t really know all the details, but there’s a reason the doghouse protects her.”

“I know,” he said.

“But do you really know?” she pressed.

“Yeah.” He sighed. “I know everything.”

“Good. I’m glad. She’s so sweet and if she can relax and open up to you then I know she’ll make a wonderful mate for you.”

“She is the perfect mate for me.”

Tobi snorted. “Well she is your one true mate, so I guess you’re right about that.”