Page 153 of The Immortal's One
Bella sniffs. “I hate this. I feel like I’m losing a friend.”
My heart squeezes. I walk over and wrap my arms around her slim shoulders. “You aren’t losing a friend,” I assure her.
She sniffs again, leaning back and wiping her eyes. “Can I visit you?”
I smile softly. “I’d like that.”
Bella has been a bright spot in my life these past weeks. Without her, I would’ve been so lonely. So afraid. She made my time in Greece bearable. I’ll always be grateful for her kindness.
Thane clears his throat. “I will take you back to Maine myself. First, I’ll need to?—”
“No,” Des interrupts. “I’ll do it.”
My heart flips. I look at Des, but his attention is on his brother.
Thane frowns. “Are you sure? Don’t you want to interrogate our prisoners?”
“I will once I return,” he says. “This won’t take long.”
Thane’s stare lingers on his brother before he finally says, “Very well. Be quick. Come, Bella.”
Bella takes Thane’s hand and, with one last glance at me, the two walk out of the room.
I exhale and look at Des, nervous about what’s coming next. “Des, I?—”
“Come.” He holds out his hand. “Let’s go.”
I stare at his palm, my pulse racing. I swallow and place my hand in his.
The now-familiar electric sensation travels through my arm, stoking the embers of my desire to life once again.
Des’s nostrils flare. He’s just as affected by my touch as I am.
I open my mouth to speak, but the words come out as a gasp when he draws me into his chest, and the world around us tilts. I squeeze my eyes shut as he pulls me through the rip.
40
Power pushesand pulls me in one direction, then another. Des’s arms wrap around my back, holding me tight, lessening the worst of the disorienting sensations. His woodsy, masculine scent helps calm my racing heart and steadies my breathing.
Hair whips my cheeks. I tilt my head forward, resting against his shoulder, praying I don’t vomit.
Seconds later, it all stops.
Fresh air kisses my cheeks. Cold nips at my nose.
I lift my head and crack an eyelid. Dizzy, it takes a moment for me to register what I’m seeing. But when I do, my eyes fly wide and I gasp.
A pair of white rocking chairs sit under the porch light on the patio. Fresh snow blankets the lawn where Kayla and I played freeze tag with the neighborhood kids back in the day. The blueberry bush Dad rarely trims blocks the bottom half of the living room window.
Emotion burns the back of my eyes.
I’m home.
After all this time, all the danger, secrets, and drama… I’m finally home. I’ve wanted this for so long.
So why do I feel so conflicted?
Des’s arms shift against my back.
