Page 34 of Mated in Flames

“I don’t know what to do,” I confess into the silence.

“What do you want to do?” Luciana asks immediately.

There’s really only one thing I want right now.

“I want to get Dane back,” I say, my voice cracking slightly.

She smiles.

“Then let’s do it,” she says.

Surprised, I look at her. There’s no judgement on her face. Her expression is open and understanding. And there’s determination to help me however she can.

In that moment, I know that I love her.

“Thanks,” I say, and my roiling emotions finally start to calm; I’m not alone in this.

Luciana nods. “First, we need to figure out where they would have stopped. You know this area better than I would. Are there any old, empty houses around, or areas that no one goes to?”

“A few,” I say, my mind spinning with possibilities. “They would have wanted to get out of Mundaring, at least, but there are a few places that I can think of on the outskirts that they might have gone to.”

“We’ll go to them one at a time,” Luciana says, nodding to herself. “Can we stop at my place first? I want to grab my medical kit, just in case.”

We both know that she won’t have much that would be of any use if Dane is either dead or under control, but I appreciate the thought all the same. I nod with a smile. I feel good about this, I decided as I stride decisively toward the front door. I’m going to get my brother back. I fling the door open.

And come face to face with Dane.

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