Page 97 of The Souls We Claim

“Yes. There’s safety in numbers, right?”

Halo smiles, then bends, places his shoulder to my stomach, then hoists me up into a fireman’s lift.

“Wait, what are you doing?”

“Gimme a minute, guys,” Halo says, like I’m not dangling down his back.

“If it takes more than fifteen, we’re leaving without you!” King shouts.

“I’ll take five minutes,” Bates yells.

“I’ll take the full fifteen,” Clutch says. “I share a wall with him at the clubhouse.”

Halo chuckles at that but doesn’t say anything to me. Instead, he dumps me on the bed, feet first, then stands in front of me and grips my ass. I’m taller than he is…just.

“You care about me being safe, kitten?” he says.

“You always look so hot when you smile. I love the way your eyes crinkle in the corners.”

He kisses me softly. “You didn’t answer the question.”

“Yes. I care about you being safe. I want you to come back.” I run my fingers over his patch that saysRoad Captain. “You’re going to do something dangerous again, aren’t you?”

Halo nods. “To the average person, it’s dangerous. But I’ve been trained for this shit. So, to me it’s my job. We got two things we need to accomplish.”

“Can you tell me about them?”

“All I’ll say is one is routine. A standard run from the docks.”

“And the other?”

He shakes his head. “My life has always been secrets. Even when I worked for the military. I’ve seen and done much I can never talk about. And I’m proud to carry the weight of them because I was able to do things that will keep people safe. Now, I need you to let me go do what I need, what I’m good at, without me ever telling you exactly what that is. Then I’ll come back to you and Lola. You think you can hold space for me to do that?”

“In a heartbeat.”

“Never thought that would sound good to me, but it’s a fucking miracle.” Halo lifts me into his arms, and I wrap my legs around his waist. “Wish I had the time to stay and fuck you.”

The sound of a vehicle pulling onto the drive distracts him momentarily.

“Who is that?” I ask.

“Reinforcements.” He kisses me again. “Let’s go say hi.”

When I open the front door, Niro, Rae, Vi, Avery, and Catalina are outside.

“Surprise,” Vi says, holding up bags of snacks.

“We’re sleeping over,” Rae says.

“And even though it’s a grown-up sleepover, I get to come and play with Lola,” Avery adds.

Catalina is geared up for a siege. “I’m babysitting.”

“Lola?” I ask, confused.

“No. You guys apparently.”

“Babe,” Niro warns as he steps into the hallway behind her. “You promised.”