Chapter Nineteen DOMONIC An hour later I am still sitting on the couch . Draven fast asleep and wrapped in a blanket next to me . For some reason , I cant stop touching her , even as she sleeps . I stroke her hip over the blanket as the rest of my pack crowds the room . What did you find ? I ask quietly , not looking up from her face . Nothing yet , Logan answers , taking a seat on the armchair across from me . Shes beautiful . My eyes shoot his way , and I swallow my initial anger by gracing him with a fake smile . Rainier has got the entire department scouting for all black sedans with out of state plates in the vicinity . He should have a list for us soon enough . James states , entering from the kitchen to stand and gawk at Draven . You can all stop staring at her now . Its beginning to piss me off. Right , Andrew says making his way toward the front door . Well , Im going to get some things from my place so that I can stay at the condo for a few nights . Youre what ? I snap . She needs more protection than just you , Domonic . And I think I speak for everyone when I say , what happened tonight cannot happen again . I stand up . What the fuck is that supposed to mean ? It means were all in this together , Paul hisses , standing between me and the insubordinate asshole at my front door . It means , worth our protection . shes I nod , Right . Glancing down at Draven , I say , Quinn , you go and get some things too . You can stay in the guest room for a few days , while we figure this all out . Bartlett , go with him and fill him in on the extras while youre out . What extras ? Quinn queries , but I dont answer him . Im too ashamed . How do I explain that I left me mate- who has been running from her abusive stepfather all alone so that we could discuss her from four miles away ? I cant . So I dont . Logan edges in from the kitchen , Id like to meet her , tomorrow . If I may . I mean , you are going to keep her , arent you ? All eyes fell on me and I turn toward Draven . God , I want to . But , if I were to keep her , Id have to tell her what I am , and if she doesnt want me after find out ? I dont know that I could live with myself . You know I cant , I say , Thats bullshit , Logan hisses . I stand glaring down at Logan and say , Whatever I decide to do , is what I decide to do . We all promised years ago , we werent going to take any mates . 1/3 Chapter Nineteen But that was before and were not the same as we used to be . We have better system than our dads did . And if she really is your mate , then shes our queen , and you dont get to be the only one to decide how we protect her . I chuckle , Who the fuck do you think youre talking to ? Think of it like this , Domonic . What if she meets someone else out there after youve let her go ? Are you going to be able to stomach that ? Im three seconds from knocking this idiot through the wall . You dont think Ive thought of that ? Fuck you , I snap , Get out . Fine , but Im going to be staying in the condo too . At least until we find out who tried to get in tonight . Before I can argue , Paul steps between us . Hes right Domonic . Lets just focus on her protection for now . We can talk about the other stuff later . Im going to take her to bed . You sort the rest of these assholes out . Then I lift Draven into my arms and carry her upstairs to my room . She doesnt so much as stir . She must have been really scared for it to have drained her so badly . Tucking her into my bed , I place a kiss on her forehead and head back down the stairs while dialing Rainier . Whats up ? He answers. Did you ever get that marriage certificate ? We need that name . He groans . But Ill check again once Im back in the office . Maybe you should just ask her for it . She doesnt like to talk about it . Well maybe its time that she does . Right , I sigh . Anything on the sedans ? * Rental cars . Im heading to the agency now to see if I can get some information on the few that weve found . Call me when you know something . I hang up the phone and look around at my living room . Quinn , James , Logan , Bartlett , and Andrew have all gone . Grant and Paul are whispering over a pot of coffee in the kitchen . What are you two cooking up ? I ask with a sigh . Logans right , Domonic , Paul states . You can try and fool yourself into thinking youll be able to make her leave , but I know its bullshit . You havent let her out of your sight since you found out she didnt get on the train . I let out a frustrated groan . What the fuck is your point ? My point , Paul taunts smugly . Is that when we made that promise all those years ago , we were raw with pain from losing our moms . None of us really knew what we were thinking . Now , its been years , and maybe … Maybe what ? You want to put Draven in the same position our moms were in five years ago ? I snap . We still dont even know who lit that fire ! And what if Draven doesnt want me ? Have you thought of that ? He laughs . Oh , she wants you . We both know it . Thats not the problem . Youre afraid she wont accept what you are . 2/3 Chapter Nineteen Shut up Paul . Im tired and I dont want to think about it right now . Right , well , Im going to head back to the bar and close things up for Bartlett , Ill meet her tomorrow , Grant says . Unless she isnt going to work there anymore . Shes not working . No , no , wait a minute ! Paul says , Maybe thats exactly what she needs to do . Because if the person who was here tonight was someone her stepfather sent for her maybe we shouldnt be looking for them at all . Maybe we should be waiting for them to come looking for her . As much as it bothers me , he has a point . Call Rainier . Tell him not to go to the rental agencies . In fact , let everyone know to stop looking so that we dont scare them away . 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