Page 23 of Whole in His Arms

“Yeah. Not sure how far along he is yet, though, but probably same as you, if I had to guess,” Nix said. “Then there’s Jacobi, and he’s just a baby, maybe a few months old. But they’re my blood. I felt it immediately. I’m so close to finding my parents, and you know how much that means to me. But I hate that this is the cost of getting answers. That they’ve lived through this.” Nix’s voice was thick with emotions. He hated that he couldn’t wrap his arms around his mate and comfort him.

“But you’ll get them out, all of them, I know you will, because that’s who you are, and then you’ll make sure nothing bad ever happens to them again.”

“You have that much faith in me?” Nix whispered.

River smiled. “I do, Nix. I’m so happy for you. I want you to bring them back here to our home, and we’ll help them out in any way they need. So, what’s the plan?”

“The guys and I are figuring it out; we don’t want to risk going in hot and getting someone hurt. Well, I have to go back tomorrow and work to set them free. All of them. It might take some time, but I’m really on the cusp of making it happen. I can feel that.”

“I know you are, and I’m super happy for you,” River said.

“I love you, River.

"I love you, too."

"I’m sorry I called you so late, but I wanted to do it while the others were sleeping. I’ve only told Maddox what’s going on with everything. I know he won’t tell anyone my secret, but until I have to, I really don’t want to share it with everyone.”

“I think that’s a bad idea. They’re your team. You can trust them.” River felt the knot return to his stomach. What if Nix did something stupid? He would, too, especially with his sibling in the mix. River swallowed, hoping the pain would subside. “But it’s your decision. But Nix?”

“Yeah?”

“Please be careful. I need you to stay safe and come home to be with your family. Everyone needs you. I need you,” he whispered. “Please, babe, don’t do anything crazy. Please!”

“I won’t. I have no intention of not coming home to you and our little one. Believe that.”

River felt a little relief, but he still worried that something was going to happen. “Okay. But I’m holding you to it,” he said.

“You can take it to the bank, my love.” He heard the smile in Nix’s voice. “I mean it. Please, don’t worry,” Nix said.

“I’m your mate, so I think that’s out of the question. Till you’re back home with me, I can only worry. Besides, I can sense when you’re in trouble, remember?” River forced a laugh, though, trying to shrug off the thoughts that consumed him.

“Well, have faith that I’ll be fine, and I hear you, babe. I’ll think about telling the guys,” Nix said. River nodded, unable to get the words out. “You should get some rest,” Nix added. “I’ll call you later.”

“I’ll be waiting,” River said. He felt Matthew shift in his arms and looked down to make sure he was still asleep. “Goodnight!” River said.

“Night, my love! Sleep well. I love you,” Nix said again.

“Love you too!” River hurriedly disconnected the call, so he wouldn’t bring up again how worried he was about Nix’s safety. He looked down at the still sleeping Matthew, which somehow put him at ease. “I’m worrying over nothing,” he said. “Nix is just fine.”

He then stood up from the couch and went over to Matthew’s carrier. He laid him in the seat, then grabbed both Matthew’s and Amelia’s carrier and carried them up the stairs so they could all get in some sleep. He desperately wanted to forget that Nix was still so far away.

Chapter Eight

Nix

Nix had every intention of keeping his word to River. He could sense how nervous his mate was, even more than he was telling him. It made him sad, and for a brief moment, as he went back to the camp, he contemplated going back home and leaving the other men to handle things. Yet, he couldn’t do that. Not that he didn’t trust them to do the job. He did.So why haven’t you told them about your siblings? He needed to.

But that didn’t change the fact that going home right now wasn’t an option. If he did, it would mean he was completely giving up on his siblings and every single omega being held against their will, but Goddess, he couldn’t stop thinking about his mate. And he needed to honor River’s worries and do his best to remain safe.

So tell them. They’d back you up.

The next day, he was glad when they were on their way back to the woods to see the omegas. They had everything set; he was going to continue where he’d left off. Dax stopped him before he could rush into the situation, though.

“I know you’re probably feeling like things are going slow,” he said to Nix before Nix could leave. “But I have a good feeling about the situation. You are making progress. Slow and steady wins the race, so don’t go in there with your guns blazing, so to speak.”

Nix laughed. “You should know me better than that. I’m cautious and fully aware of the risks. I’ve got this,” he said. He wasn’t quite sure how things were going to progress, but he did know that speaking to Cal would hopefully provide him with some more answers.

He turned to leave but then froze.