Page 13 of Silverproof Damsel

Smiling, I reached down, plucking up my bag from the floor. “Already ahead of you for once.”

Winchester pulled her phone from the pocket of her jeans, then rapidly shot off orders. “Check the area for any threat. There have been attempts on Remington’s life. In light of hersensitive circumstances, we’ll be on high alert until I instruct otherwise.”

I pressed my fingers over the bridge of my nose, listening to my siblings’ sarcastic remarks directed at Winnie. If Winnie hadn’t been in command mode, she’d have walloped them for those remarks.

“No, not in a moment. Get your asses out of the vehicles and sweep the fucking area. That’s an order.” With a swipe of her thumb across the screen, she ended the call. She looked at me and eyed the small, pathetic bag holding my few belongings inside. “That’s all you intend to bring to the house?”

Grunting, I tossed the light pack over my shoulder, even as my stomach slowly began twisting. “It’s all I own, sadly. Rhys froze my accounts and forced us to close the doors to the club. All of my money sank with Forged Desires. Until it opens—I have nothing.” I feigned unconcern about my lack of funds.

“You’ve been here, broke as shit, and all this time, you what, Remington? You never once thought to ask me or one of the others to loan you cash? I have more money than I can spend in fifty lifetimes. I’d have gladly given you some.” Strolling toward the door, she turned as the ceiling made a loud, unsettling noise.

As I looked up, my stomach plummeted faster than the large piece of roofing. Winchester gripped my arm painfully, jerking me away from the spot I’d stood beneath the large, damaged panel.

“Bloody hell! This house is crumbling around our heads. Come on, this place isn’t safe for you.”

“You’ll need to open your house to Nyx. She’s going to be homeless as well,” I muttered as we strolled through the narrow hallway. Stepping out the front door, I glanced back with regret. I’d failed to make it six months on my own, outside of the protection of E.V.I.E.. Shame and self-loathing drifted through me at the embarrassment of it all.

Savage’s stony disposition caught my eye. A smile twitched over my lips as she smirked, nodding. Colt stepped up beside her, his eyes sliding to my middle with a look of apprehension.

“Leave it to our littlest spitfire to be the Silversmith to bear a Van Helsing child. I knew you were in trouble, Remington. But this? This is insane, even for you.” Stepping closer as I reached him, he pulled me close for a hug. “But your child will be loved. Very loved, sister. No matter what blood runs through the wee thing’s veins.”

Winchester had warned me of the complications and precarious situation of carrying a Van Helsing child, and what it could entail. I wasn’t only carrying a Van Helsing child. I carriedtheVan Helsing’s Heir. No matter what happened, I’d deal with the complications, whatever they were.

Of course, that also created issues within our house. A house that Winchester was working hard to create. She still faced hardship as she sought to raise the fallen house of Silversmith from the rubble it had been left in. My having the enemy’s heir wasn’t going to make it easier on her, especially not with a few of our siblings opposing my doing so.

“Thank you, brother.” Tears pricked my eyes, threatening to fall as Savage offered a curt nod of agreement. “I’ve missed you both.”

“And us?” Gauge asked, stepping out from the shadows, grinning mischievously. “No love for us, baby sister?”

My smile spread as he, along with the others, came into view. “Everyone’s here?” I asked, though I already knew the answer. “I can’t recall the last time you were all together.”

“No, not all of us. Smith and Weston are both already en route. They should be here soon enough, though. And you wouldn’t recall it happening because it hadn’t been allowed when Roslyn lived, honey,” Ruger explained, then leaned closer to plant a kiss on my forehead. “I heard you killed the bitch. If I’d known youwere going to be the one to set us free, I’d have been nicer to you.” Winking as he pulled away, he frowned. “Honestly, I can’t say I expected the youngest to be the one to put the rabid dog down.”

I understood Roslyn’s fear of having all of us in one place. Last time too many Silversmiths had gathered, a mob decided to hold a bonfire in their honor. Irritation at agreeing with my mother caused a crease to form in my forehead.

“Don’t insult rabid mongrels. They deserve better than to be compared to that murderous whore.” Savage had never been one to mince words. Plus, she had a thing for dogs. She had set up a sanctuary for mistreated animals with a heavy focus on dogs.

“I didn’t expect it to be me, either.” At my awkward reply, they laughed at my expense.

“We’ll catch up and trade compliments at home. Remington isn’t safe out in the open. Load up. Remington is staying with us now.” Winchester’s order had everyone stiffening before scouting the surrounding area with murderous glares.

Marching the last few steps toward the line of waiting SUVs, I spared one last glance back at the house. My stomach threatened to expel what little food I’d held down as I realized I was returning to my roots.

Back to the Silversmith clan, who were mortal enemies to the Van Helsings. It was going to be a complete shitshow. That much was a given.

Rhys would not forgive me for the blood running through my veins, ever. The thought made my eyes sting as the realization sank in that what we once had was gone. I’d expected him to come around after his temper had cooled. He hadn’t forgiven me, but at least he couldn’t say I was lying about carrying his child anymore.

It didn’t matter, though. For now, I had to look out for what was best for us. It wasn’t him. It couldn’t be him, not unlesshe changed and did a shit load of groveling. I’d be damned if I allowed him to think he had any claim over me or Bullet. The most I’d allow him to do was add his surname to our child’s name. That was only because I was feeling generous. Bullet Van Helsing had a nice ring to it, admittedly.

The sound of a car moving briskly down the road forced my head to turn toward it. Locking eyes with Rhys, I felt a flurry of butterflies erupt into flight as a smug smile played over his lips as he rolled to a stop beside the stopped vehicle.

Rhys wasn’t suicidal. That meant he was showing me he wasn’t afraid of my family. He would walk through them to reach me if the need arose. The thought alone created a wealth of warmth throughout my system. It also told me it hadn’t been Rhys who wanted me dead. If he’d wanted me buried six feet deep, he would’ve let me die last night. He hadn’t, though. It caused hope to flare in my chest.

Climbing into the vehicle, I drew in the familiar scent of my family flooding my senses. Pulling the seatbelt on tightly, I smiled as they piled in after me. It had been too long since we’d been together, but something told me it wouldn’t last long. Good things rarely ever did.

Chapter Six

Fallgraduallyasserteditspresence in the sprawling countryside surrounding the city. The forests became a tapestry of beautiful hues, shifting from vibrant green to brilliant shades of yellow, orange, and red. With the shedding of needles by the pine trees and leaves by the maple trees, the forest showcased the imminent transition of seasons, permeating the surroundings with a potent aroma of pine and mold. The air was perfumed with the pungent scent of pine and pinene, almost overwhelming the senses.

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