Page 41 of Unveil

My pulse stutters. “What do you mean?”

“Think about it. You’re not allowed anywhere but Masque anymore. You’ve been locked down at Bordeaux Conservatory for weeks.”

I shift. “I was rehearsing. Benoit and Nox are the ones who always want to go to Masque. That’s nothing new.”

“Exactly, it’s nothing new, because they know the city isn’t safe for you anymore. People like your father can sense restlessness like that, like a storm’s coming. You didn’t notice because he shielded you from everything, but he closed ranks. Hell, he didn’t even let you be alone with your disappointing boyfriend for longer than two minutes.”

I scowl. “He’s overprotective.”

“And why would he besooverprotective in a world he owns?”

I glare at the back of his head. “Maybe he sensedyouwere coming.”

“Except he didn’t. I’ve coasted under your dad’s radar all this time. Way before your twenty-first birthday. I’m good at staying hidden, but not that good. And with the way the Phantom of the French Quarter used to haunt his streets, I expected him to find me like”—he snaps—“that. But he didn’t.”

He lets that reality rest before continuing. “I was the only one who saw the Wildes close in. That’s a problem. But our family can help yours. Together, we could make the Wildes think twice before they burn shit to the ground.”

I huff. “No one’s burning anything to the ground.”

“They already have!” he snarls, making me bite my tongue.

That reaction was too strong, the deep growl torn from his chest too raw and pained. My chest squeezes. He’s not speaking metaphorically.

He releases a harsh exhale. “Look, the reality is, no one up here is a cohesive front. Whether you’re in Dark Corner, Old Bridge, or Foxfire Hollow, we all use old-school guerrilla warfare tactics more than anything. And don’t get me started on what they’re up to on Devil’s Mountain and Ravenstree. Point being though, certain Wilde and Fury factions want to stake their claim farther and wider than they ever have, including the Southeast, the North, and even the West. We’ll wipe each other out if the King line doesn’t take the throne.”

“And you’re so much better?”

His brow raises. “Yeah. We are. We’re lawless, but we at leastabideby pacts and codes. But without the Troisgarde-Fury alliance, we can’t expand. None of our families will survive.” His gaze returns to the curving roads. “Bottom line? You aren’t safe in New Orleans anymore. It was time I brought you home.”

Home.

Outside the window, the walls of trees break to a gorgeous view that surrounds us on all sides, and I suck in a breath.

The mountains’ mist lifts under a single ray of sunlight, unveiling hills, valleys, and hollows, with lakes and meadows scattered between. Orion rolls the windows down and I breathe deep, closing my eyes. Pine, rich earth, crisp air. Freedom fills my lungs, my veins. I’ve never lived here, but I’ve missed it like it was home.

Still, Orion is thelastperson I want knowing that Appalachia,hishome, is what I’ve always craved.

I lift my chin. “If they were so dangerous, why didn’t you come before now?”

“I wanted to. If something’s mine, I guard it with my life.” His knuckles whiten on the steering wheel, pulling the inked letters taut. “But the amendment to the pact said we let the daughters live without interference until y’all’s twenty-second birthdays. I waited as long as I could, but then Ozias went rogue, proposing like that. He probably thought your engagement would keep me away from you. He was wrong.”

I nibble at my lip, unsure if I should bring it up, but go for it anyway. “What about my twenty-first birthday? Didn’t that break your rules?”

His slow, creeping smile has my cheeks flushing at the memory. Him whisking me from the dance floor, maple and bourbon kisses in the shadows, grinding against my core until we were seconds from throwing all caution to the wind…

Then my friends appeared, and he vanished.

When Orion answers, his voice is delicious caramel, like he was thinking about it too.

“Kissing you that nightwas the best rule I’ve ever broken. Until last night, when I devoured you until midnight.” His eyes flick up to mine, crinkling at the edges. “Seems you make me reckless too, little bird.”

I worry my lip. “And Bart? What happened to him? Is he…?”

“Not yet. But go ahead and decide how you want it done, because that motherfucker ain’t long for this world.” His gaze holds mine. “The Wilde-Fury feud has a code. Blood for blood, life for life. I’ll risk both to protect what’s mine, and he hurt what’s mine.” His jaw ticks. “I don’t know where that coward ran off to, but my brothers are on it. Once they’re done running interference, Dash will find him.”

“And how would he do that?”

His brow raises. “I can’t spillallour secrets, yet. That’s wife territory, and I’m gonna need you to at least like me first.”