19. Chapter 19

Chapter 19

Bri

Y ou'd think I would be used to the surprises by now, and yet, every time I think I've found my new normal, I turn around, and my world flips again.

Cain showing up today while I waited for news about the case made me hopeful. I'd thought maybe we'd won, and he was taking me home.

Instead, we are riding in a beat-up Chevy pickup that's probably as old as I am.

At least the heater works.

The spacious cab keeps me from panicking now that I'm back in control of the anxiety, but Cain has been avoiding the big questions since he got me out of there.

"Can you message Ghost? We need a safe house, and if anyone has a place we can hide out, it's him," he asks me, pulling the burner phone Ghost gave me out of his pocket and handing it over.

He'd taken it from me before I left with the men in suits yesterday, and I thought he left it with all of his technology back at the rental car.

"I thought we had to leave everything?" I ask, taking it from him.

"We did, but no one knows we have this one, and I know Ghost would never have a device that could be traced. So while he could probably find us, the people who we don't want on our tails, can't," he says, smiling to reassure me.

I guess that makes sense.

After turning it on, I pull up the contacts and see the ghost emoji, which both makes me grin and gives me pause.

"What's Ghost's real name?" I ask, realizing I'd never thought to ask before.

"I have no idea. I'm not sure anyone knows it. In his line of work, having a past means having weaknesses. I think he keeps his old identity hidden to protect himself and them," he shrugs with his response.

"That sounds lonely," I say, thinking back to the picture in his bag.

I wonder if he ever sees his sister or if that would endanger her.

Shaking away the thought, I send off a text.

Hey Casper, we need a safe house.

specifics?

A safe one. One that no one knows about.

Yes, City. I'm aware of what it is. Where? For how long? How many people?

"He needs to know where and for how long," I relay to Cain.

"Tell him we're in South Denver, and at least a week, maybe more."

Near South Denver, just two of us, at least a week.

I copy and wait for his response.

K, give me a few

"How do you know Ghost? Because based on how everyone talks about him, it seems like he should be the boogeyman, and yet Hudson, you, and Dante all seem like you are old friends," I ask to fill the silence while we wait.

"Honestly, I'm not sure anyone really knows him. We've heard rumors of other jobs he's completed, and we worked with him for several months on a pretty big mission in Detroit, but until he texted Dante about your kidnapping, we thought he died that night," he says with a faraway expression on his face.

"Why would you think that?" I ask, unsure how I would have survived if he hadn't reached out or followed me to Boston.

"The Detroit mission went sideways. After four months of intel, stakeouts, and surveillance, we were ready to take down the whole operation there. Everything was set, but someone gave us away, and a lot of people died because of it. The team working with us consisted of almost forty people in various capacities. Six are still alive, and five of us are only alive because of Ghost. He caused a distraction, giving himself up and leading everyone away. His sacrifice allowed us to escape. We didn't think he made it. Reports on both sides named him as one of those killed. So when people talk about him being a legend, he's earned that," he finishes, reverence in his voice.

Ghost's a hero.

Something inside me always knew he was one of the good guys, and not just because he was always saving me.

"Wow," I say, unsure how to respond when the phone vibrates in my hand. The message is only an address.

"Ghost gave us an address. It's in Colorado Springs. I'll look up directions," I say, changing the subject as I type in the information.

"We aren't too far from there, based on the signs I'm seeing. I'll stop at the next grocery store to grab some food and drinks to make it the week," Cain says as I send a quick response to Ghost.

Thanks, Snowball.

Getting you out of trouble is becoming a full-time job, City

Yeah, and I hear the pay and benefits are shit. You should quit.

Tempting.

I laugh, pulling Cain's attention, and his eyes flash to the phone.

"Apparently, keeping me out of trouble is a full-time job," I repeat Ghost's words to him with an eye roll.

"Well, he's certainly right about that," he says, and I backhand his arm in mock outrage.

"Hey, now, you two can both shove it. I never asked for a team of bodyguards. I just wanted to graduate, get a job, and live my life in peace," I say, realizing all of those things may be completely out of reach now.

I'm not even sure if I can graduate at this point.

The thought is jarring and pulls my mood back down.

"Firefly…" Cain says slowly, pulling my eyes back up to his as he pulls into a parking space.

"If you want those things, then you will have them. I will do my best to ensure you have the life you choose," he says, unbuckling his seatbelt and reaching for my chin. "You and me, Firefly. We're in this together, and I plan to spend the rest of my life making your list of dreams come true," he says before leaning down and capturing my mouth in a kiss.

I close my eyes, leaning into him and letting his declaration wash over me.

The rest of the world falls away, and for a moment, it's just Cain and I. No LLC. No wolf packs. Just the man who snuck his way past my defenses by showing up and protecting me at every turn.

I love him.

The words used to scare me, but now they comfort me. My future may not be crystal clear anymore, but my heart knows exactly what I want.

Tipping my chin up, I allow him more access. It causes him to respond with a growl before pulling back, my lip between his teeth in a gentle nip.

"As much as I would like to pull you into my lap right here and fuck you until we can't see out these windows, we have to get to the safe house," he says, his eyes glowing silver as he calms his breath.

"Why do they do that?" I ask, holding his face near me as I examine them.

Pools of iridescent mercury.

"Do what, Firefly?" he asks, his brows dropping in confusion.

"Glow. They glow sometimes," I say, mesmerized.

"Oh, when my wolf threatens to take control, they shift," he explains, prompting more questions.

"So is your wolf separate from you, or an extension of you, or how does it work? Can you talk to him, or is he you?" I fire off the questions.

"It's hard to explain. He's me, but also, he's not me? I can hear what he needs or wants; he can feel when I need him to take over. His needs are separate from mine, but we live in the same body, so our goals have to align. When we aren't on the same page, it's hard to maintain control because he wants to take over," he says, trying to explain.

"So why did your wolf push to take over now?"

"You're his Mate. Or rather, your wolf is. He wants to Awaken you and claim her as his. Every time I'm with you, I'm pushing him back. It's a delicate balance of keeping him at bay while allowing you to make your own decisions," he says, kissing my forehead.

When he leans back, his eyes have returned to their smoky gray hue.

"Well then, I guess come on, you two. We have supplies to get," I say, a smile forming on my face as I unbuckle and jump out of the truck.

***

An hour later, we're parked outside a small cabin tucked a mile off the main road. The similarities to Ghost's cabin are startling, and I find myself paralyzed in my seat.

Cain notices my discomfort and reaches for my hand.

"Everything ok, Firefly?"

Of course not! I'm back in a cabin in the woods, albeit I'm much happier with this kidnapping than the last, but I still don't love the parallels.

"Yeah, fine. I just need a minute," I force out, trying to keep my breathing regular despite my anxiety rising.

"Talk to me," he says, dropping his voice and stroking the back of my hand with his thumb.

"Hudson took me to a cabin before meeting Big Tony," I whisper, not daring to look at him. Silence follows, and I try not to read into his pause.

"We can find another place to stay if this is too hard. I know you went through a lot in those two days, and I can't imagine how you kept it together, Firefly," he says, voicing nothing but reassurance in his tone.

I risk looking over at him only to find understanding in his expression. No judgment, no irritation. Just understanding.

It gives me the strength I need to get out of the truck.

"Thank you, Candy Cain, but I can do this," I say, unbuckling and opening my door. He's at my side of the truck before my feet hit the ground.

"Hang on there, Firefly. I need to check the area first," he says, dropping a quick kiss on my head before jogging up to the cabin and doing a circle around the outside. He tests the front door and it opens without issue.

No locks?

I guess not a lot of people come out here.

He disappears inside for a minute before resurfacing and walking back to my side of the truck, shaking his head and rubbing his nose.

"Everything ok?" I ask, trying to read his face.

"Yeah, all clear, no tracks in the snow, and it doesn't appear anyone has been inside recently," he says before grabbing the bags from the truck bed.

"Then why the face? Is it a mess inside or something?" I ask, following behind him to help.

"No, it just smells odd. I can't quite place it," he says, handing me two bags of chips before taking all the other groceries himself.

Walking in the front door, I inhale, hoping to help identify the odor—only, there isn't one. At least not one you wouldn't expect to find in a place like this. It smells like the pine logs that make up the walls. It's a crisp, clean, woodsy scent that fits the space completely.

The whole cabin is open. There is a living room with a comfortable oversized couch, a small four-person dining table, and an outdated kitchen with a fridge that looks as old as me.

"It smells exactly like outside in here. How is that odd?" I ask, setting the chips on the table and taking in the cozy details of the place. Blankets are placed on the couch and in a basket by the fireplace, wood carvings decorate the mantle, and stunning animal art covers the walls.

This is like a storybook.

"Oh, I smell that too, but remember, my nose picks up things that yours doesn't," he says, unpacking the bags he carried in a single trip.

Add one more thing I can't do.

I can't keep myself from being kidnapped, I can't physically beat any of them, I can't even smell the way they can.

It hits me that no matter how long I fight, it will never be enough.

I will spend my life running, hiding, and waiting for the day when Cain, or Ghost, or Dante can't rush in and save the day.

I'm done letting this world scare me into submission.

I'm taking control.