Page 121 of Dark Bonds

“Focus,” Bishop chides, but there’s no real heat in his voice. “We need a solid plan if we’re going back in there.”

Matteo nods, his tactical mind already whirring. “We can’t do it all at once,” Matteo says. “We’ll have to divide and conquer.”

“I’ll lead the rescue team,” I volunteer without hesitation. I can’t shake the image of those people floating in the containment units. It makes my skin crawl. “Dorian, you’re with me. You know the lab layout better than any of us.”

Dorian nods, his face a mask of determination. The guilt in his eyes has been replaced by a fierce resolve. “Agreed. We’ll need to move fast and stay quiet.”

“We should rest.” Bishop looks out over the forest. “I should get back.”

Swallowing my pride, I reach for Bishop and grip his bicep. The others fall back, giving us a moment of privacy.

“Hey.” He turns to me, and it’s then I realize he’s wearing a uniform—one just like that girl from Aurora University. Thesight of it sends a chill down my spine, reminding me of how little I truly know about Bishop’s role here.

“Bishop,” I start, my voice low, “that uniform... Are you working for them?”

He looks down, as if just remembering what he’s wearing. When he meets my eyes again, there’s a weariness there I’ve never seen before. “It’s... complicated, Frankie. I took this position to protect our kind, to be a voice on the inside, but I never imagined...” He trails off, shaking his head.

I want to press for more, but now isn’t the time. Still, the revelation adds another layer to the already complex web we’re tangled in.

“Come back with us,” I blurt out. “To the cottage.”

For a moment, his mouth just opens and closes in shock.

Bishop’s eyes widen, a flicker of surprise crossing his face before he schools his expression back to neutrality. I caught a glimmer of something else there too—longing, perhaps? He glances down at my hand on his arm, then back to my face.

“Frankie, I...” He pauses, seeming to struggle with his words. “I appreciate the offer, but I have responsibilities. My position here?—”

“Can wait,” I interrupt, my voice low but intense. “Just for tonight. We need you, Bishop. I need you.”

The admission costs me something, but I know it’s true. Despite our differences and the secrets I know he’s still keeping, Bishop’s steady presence grounds me in a way I can’t quite explain.

He hesitates, and I can almost see the internal battle playing out behind his eyes. Duty wars with desire, obligation with connection.

“Please,” I add softly, not above a little manipulation if it gets results. “After what we just saw, I don’t think any of us should be alone tonight.”

That seems to tip the scales. Bishop’s shoulders relax slightly, and he nods, giving me a small but genuine smile.

Relief spreads through me, and I give him a partial smirk. “You can sleep on the couch or with Dorian.”

His laughter follows me all the way toourcottage.

Chapter 40

Frankie

The sun’s barely up,and our kitchen table looks pathetic in the dim light of our cottage. Some war room this is.

Our cottage.

Even though we are here because of Blackwood, the fact that all the guys I’d choose for a pack are here, surrounding me, sends a thrill through me—one I bitch slap into oblivion because now is not the time for that bullshit.

The place reeks of old coffee and sweat. None of us got much sleep, and it shows. The house keeps creaking, and I swear each sound makes us all jump. We’re wound tighter than springs.

I look around at the guys. We’re just a bunch of college kids, but now we’re in way over our heads.

As we gather around the table, I look at each of my guys. Yes, my guys. Is the road rocky? Yeah, but they are mine, rough edges and all.

The guys look as upset as I feel. That lab... It messed us all up. Every time I close my eyes, I see those people in the tanks. God, their faces...

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