I’d never left my family for longer than a night or two. Honestly, the prospect of starting a new life, being Gavin’s bride... it thrilled me in a way nothing else had. I might pretend otherwise, especially around Noah, but Gavin had always been the object of my desires. Even though he rarely, if ever, had shown me any interest.
And why would he? He was nearly a decade my senior, and I was just the annoying little sister ofhissister’s fiance—now of his sister’s murderer. Apprehension curled in my belly. That tidbit was something I hadn’t allowed a place in my brain. Noah had done what he must to survive Callista’s betrayal, but now we were all paying the price for it.
Gently folding the last piece of clothing I could fit in my luggage, I settled the silk nightgown atop the rest of my belongings.
I’d been so focused on my task that a little scream escaped when a knock came at the door.
“Sorry,” my brother grinned, “didn’t mean to frighten you. Just wanted to check and see how packing was going.”
“Likely story, Westley. You live to terrorize me.”
“It’s a little brother’s job to be a nuisance.”
I wrinkled my nose and bent to gather the silk that had slipped from my fingers. “I thought you were supposed to grow out of that.”
“Never.”
“Your future mate is a lucky... person.”
One dark brow rose, but he didn’t say anything. Instead, West headed into my walk-in closet, disappearing into the depths. When he returned, he held my tattered stuffed octopus in both hands.
“You can’t possibly be leaving to face the Donoghues without Mr. Wiggles.”
I laughed as he shook the plush toy, making the legs writhe and remind me how the beloved creature acquired his name.
Adopting an outlandish voice, he made the toy speak. “You can’t leave me behind, Rosie. I’m your best friend. Who else will protect you from the big bad duke?”
I snatched Mr. Wiggles from West and held him close, comfort settling over me instantly. The thing was, hehadprotected me from nightmares ever since the night my aunt Natalie gave him to me. Pressing my face into the soft pink fabric, I kissed his lumpy head and sighed.
“Sorry, Mr. Wiggles. I can’t bring you with me this time. You’ll have to keep West safe instead.”
Westly accepted my offering, this time making an exaggerated pout. “But I wuv you, Wosie-kins.”
“And I you. You’ve been a most excellent octopus, but I feel West might need you more than I.”
“Doubtful,” Westley said, employing his true voice once more as he sat down on my bed. “You’re walking into a pit of vipers, Roz. For God’s sake, you can’t even say the word fuck without stumbling over it.”
“I can.”
The look he gave me called that a lie. “Say it.”
“I don’t want to.”
“See.”
“Fork you, West.”
He didn’t laugh. My brother’s eyes were dark with worry. “I can’t believe this is what you truly want.”
“What I want is for you to stay alive. I can deal with snakes. I’m stronger than you give me credit for. I fought off that fae attack while you were off doing God knows what in Canada.”
He puffed out his chest. “It was a diplomatic mission.”
“Oh yes, what was his name? Waderick?”
West flushed but chose a new tactic. “Roz, I don’t trust them. Minutes before accepting the betrothal, they were screaming for our heads. They can’t possibly mean you anything but harm. And we won’t even be nearby to protect you.”
“Noah spends most of his time in England. He’ll be close enough if I need him.” I bit the inside of my cheek, knowing that was probably a lie. My older brother currently had his hands full trying to locate his missing mate. Who knew when he’d return to London? If he came back at all.