Page 129 of Burdened Bonds
“Your friend insisted on a little detour on our way back from Los Magicos,” Azlan says, crouching down beside me. “She can be pretty damn persuasive when she wants to be.”
“I said I wasn’t driving him anywhere unless we stopped by to pick Trent up first,” Winnie says over her shoulder, attempting to grip Renzo’s wrist in her hands and count his pulse.
“Good for you.” I peer up at Trent. “She’s been really worried about you.”
The top of Trent’s ears burn red. “I’ve been pretty worried about her too. You know she’s on the wanted list. You all are.”
“Yeah,” I say, “we know.” I glance back over to Winnie. “Is there any news on Rosa?”
Winnie stops what she’s doing, rocking onto her backside and shaking her head. “She hasn’t been seen. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.”
“It’s a good thing,” Azlan says reassuringly. “That woman is tough. She can take care of herself. I’m sure she’s lying low someplace safe.”
“You think so?” Winnie asks hopefully.
“Definitely,” my mate says, nodding his head, and I can see his confidence eases Winnie’s worries a little, exactly what he intends. My heart warms for him and I take his hand in mine and squeeze it. He may be this big tough enforcer, built like a brick house with eyes as dark as night, but the more I know him, the more his softer side is revealed.
“How is he?” I ask Winnie, motioning my head towards Renzo whose eyes are locked on my and Azlan’s linked hands.
“If he’d hold still and let me check him over, I could tell you,” she snarks with irritation.
“I’m fine, little rabbit. Never been better.”
I roll my eyes. Only Renzo, dead literally five minutes ago, would describe himself as ‘never better’.
“What?” he says. “We’re bonded now. And it feels fucking fantastic.” He lays his hands on his taut belly and I can feel all his exuberant emotions spiraling through the bond. It’s like an actual whirlwind, making me dizzy and euphoric at the same time. I predict being bonded to Renzo is going to have me feeling that way, plus a little afraid, the entire time.
I don’t regret it though. Not when he smiles at me with such genuine affection, it makes my heartbeat skip.
“How about Spencer?” I ask, turning my attention back to Azlan. He’s no longer in the kitchen and neither is Tristan and Stone.
“How aboutyou, sweetheart?” Azlan asks, cupping my face and peering into my eyes. “How do you feel?”
I manage a half smile. “Pretty tired.”
He strokes his thumb against my cheek. “Then go get some rest. We can take care of Barone and Spencer.”
“But shouldn’t we keep moving?” I ask, unable to help glancing towards the darkened window. “They’re going to be after us, aren’t they? Your uncle doesn’t seem like a man who would happily let us slip away.”
“He won’t be the only one,” Renzo says.
Azlan twists around to face him. “You know who else is looking for her?”
“Magicals from the West,” Renzo says.
Azlan twists back to me. “There was no attack from the West. It was some clever trick of my uncle’s. A coup.”
Renzo scratches his cheek. “Nah, those dudes were from the West. But I don’t think they were here to invade therepublic or any of that bullshit. I think they were after little rabbit.”
Azlan shakes his head. It’s obvious he thinks Renzo’s talking nonsense.
“We’re not going anywhere tonight,” Azlan says. “You need time to recover and so do the others.”
“Is it safe to stay here, though?” I say.
“I think so. Winnie, Trent and I cast some protection spells on this place while you were gone.”
“He was pacing about like a caged tiger,” Winnie says. “I thought it was sensible to give him something to do.”
