“But you know I’m right. You belong with us at home, not out here at Starbucks of all places.”
“He left,” I whispered. Admitting it out loud was harder than I thought it would be. The only man I’d ever loved and tried to die saving.
Had left.
Like we’d had some sort of one-night stand he was ashamed of.
Ugh, my head hurt.
“He’ll be back. He just needed…” Mason swore under his breath. “God save me from these types of conversations. Cassius needed time, and regardless of his feelings and your odd connection, he’s still king so I don’t give a flying rat’s ass if he killed himself so you could live then professed undying love on Dr. Phil.” He offered a dismissive shrug. “He’s our king. What he says goes. He left, so let him leave. It’s not your place to question him.”
“Someone has to!” I pushed back my chair and stood.
Mason followed suit and pulled me into his embrace. I tried to fight him but it was impossible. The man was so strong he could break me in half, and that was saying a lot since I could seriously hold my own.
“Steph,” Mason sighed into my hair. “Just… leave it. Ever thought of simply telling him thank you and moving on with your life?”
I sighed against him, inhaling his woodsy scent. “No.”
“Try it.”
“No.”
“Steph…”
“I’ll come back.” My shoulders slumped as I gave in. “But what do I do if he comes to the house? What if he does come back?” That thought was almost as depressing and confusing as him staying away forever, or me being the reason behind his absence.
“Well I may have this ass backward all things considered—I mean, I eat pinecones—but you could always say hi.”
The ride back to Ethan’s house was almost unbearable. For one thing, Mason drove like a maniac. I’m pretty sure he’s actually never passed a driver’s test. When I asked to see his license he laughed and pushed down on the accelerator, shooting Ethan’s brand new Lexus forward like a pinball out of the slot along busy city streets. You’d think he had a death wish, then again it would take more than a car accident to kill us.
By the time we pulled up to Ethan’s mansion on Lake Washington I was ready to kiss the ground and cuss Mason out.
The chance to get in the Wolf’s face was taken from me the minute the car shut off.
“Stephanie.” Ethan had already opened my door and was holding his hand out like a damn peace offering. My heart stopped beating so heavily in my chest. I glared up at him. Stupid Vampires and their ability to control things like hearts.
Why did I need mine anyway? Especially if it was going to constantly get broken by Cassius.
I swallowed the emotion tightening in my throat and placed my hand in Ethan’s.
“Ethan.” I challenged him with a glare and stood to my full height.
“You should always take someone with you when you go out.” Ethan’s eyebrows knit together as if he was actually concerned for my safety. “It isn’t proper for you to be—”
“—drinking coffee by myself?” I finished.
He rolled his emerald green eyes. “Yes, well, try to be more careful. We can’t simply snap our fingers and replace council members.”
“Ah, so it’s about the council.”
“It’s about you,” Ethan half growled in my ear and shoved me toward the door where both Genesis and my brother were waiting.
I was half tempted to throw my hands in the air and blurt out, “I’m fine! I’m really fine! I promise!”
Genesis had a look of pity on her face.
And my brother looked like he was relieved I was still alive and well.