Page 59 of Hers to Claim

The fear that shook his voice made her step toward him and wrap an arm around him. “I would much rather ride back with you and Dante.”

“We don’t know where he is or what kind of resources he has here.” He kissed the side of her head. “Please just do this for me. When you’re safe Dante and I will drive home.”

“If anything happens to you I’m going to be really angry.” She squeezed him tight. “I hate that he said those things to you.”

He purred a bit and tightened his grip on her. “We’ll be okay, querida. Trust me.”

“Okay.” She sighed. “How am I getting home? Another portal?”

“Cisco is coming to get you.”

It took her a few beats to understand. “I’m flying?”

“Yeah, he should be here soon.” He led her through the suite to the balcony. After peeking out the sliding door to make sure it was clear, he stepped through and set his phone on the railing with the flashlight on.

Once he was convinced that no threats were waiting, he gestured for her to come outside. Below them the Bellagio fountains were dancing. She’d seen them, of course, but never like this. From above, the lights seemed to shoot into the sky, propelled by some sort of magic.

Rio curled his arm around her and held her to his side. “I’m sorry your date was ruined.”

“It doesn’t matter,” she said, her eyes on the water below.

He rested his chin on her head. “I know that it does.”

If she hadn’t been so rattled she would have realized that he would hear the lie. She nuzzled against him, letting the heat of his body soak into her to hold the chilly evening air at bay. “Okay. It doesn’t matter as much as everyone being safe.”

They stood together quietly watching the fountains until Cisco swooped onto the balcony a few minutes later. “Everyone okay?”

“Yeah,” Rio said. “Dante is in the portal room in case anyone comes after us.”

“Good thinking.”

Tilly flew in and landed on the railing, her clawed feet wrapping around it to hold her steady. “All clear on the roof.”

A moment later, an oversized golden eagle flew onto the railing as well. Mari had never seen Nara in her impressively huge shifted form. She was surprised how much backup Cisco had brought.

“Give me the situation,” Cisco said.

“Vincent confronted us in the bar. He said he had Tris and he wasn’t lying, but I don’t know what that means.”

Cisco winced. “We’ll deal with that later.”

Rio nodded. “He wanted Mari. The taunting was just his attempt to get her when he couldn’t aggress on us in a public place.”

“Who else did he have with him?”

“Clarion was the only one I saw, but that means Halcyon isn’t far.”

“That was the hellhound?” Mari asked.

“Yeah, I’m not sure why they are still working for him. They always hated him.” Rio frowned. “At least it wasn’t anything that flies.”

Cisco grunted. “Vincent can fly.”

“True, but I’d doubt he’d risk himself against you.”

“Nara, you’re on patrol. If you see anything in the sky other than us, I want to hear about it.”

The eagle shrieked her agreement and took to the air.

---