Page 78 of Ruthless Moon
We discuss everything and nothing—the weather, funny memories of her daughter when she was younger, funny memories she has of me and Jackson and Bast growing up with Emma and the other children in the coven, and the process of the spell she’s crafting to heal my broken body. She tells me Oliver hasn’t been back down to the basement all day and she’s worried about everyone outside the house.
I know she worries about Emma, but my thoughts are only on Gen. On Bast. Did they make it into the coven? Is she safe?
Meredith tells me she’s doing her best.
I know she is. The pain is less. Breathing is easier.
But it’s hard not to notice the sadness in her voice. She’s realistic. We both are. We both know my life will likely end in this concrete room. But even beneath the sadness, there’s a resolve, a determination that tells me she won’t give up on me. Just in case.
And neither will I.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Love Is Worth Fighting For
IMOGEN GALLAGHER
Aiden sits on the bed next to me. Silent. Pain and regret flowing from him like an overflowing rapid river. I can’t tell him I forgive him because I don’t know if I do. My heart is a wreck and my brain is a clusterfuck, but I lean against his shoulder anyway. I need the connection of another person.
He’s warm and strong and there.
Right now, that’s enough.
“Why did you change your mind?” I know it’s because he found out Liam and I are soul mates, but I need to hear him say it. I need him to say there was more than that. There was so much at stake and he threw it all away. “Don’t you dare say it was the right thing to do,” I add.
He leans his head over mine, tucking it against his shoulder like a hug without arms. “Itwasthe right thing to do. Gen, I lost my mate. And the agony of losing her—”
“Liam and I agreed. It was to save everyone. Didn’t he tell you?”
Aiden kisses the top of my head and straightens. I pull away and look straight at him.
“Yes, Gen. He insisted, but he’s my cousin. He’s like a brother. And I couldn’t take you from him. It wasn’t right and the pack understands.” He grabs my shoulders and meets my gaze. “Your father would’ve escalated his control over my pack the second we were married. Or the second we had a child. Or any other trigger he decided pushed the odds into his favor.”
I nod. “I doubt he would’ve waited very long.”
He gives a low growl of agreement. “Instead of Liam, it would’ve been you in chains or with a knife to your neck. This was always going to happen. I see that now and I was a fool to think this marriage was going to stave it off for any length of time.”
“He’s going to kill him.”
Aiden stands and turns to give me a steadying hand. “We’re going to get him back.”
An hour later my eyes are locked with Aiden’s across Alice’s well-worn kitchen table. An old oil lamp sits burning brightly in the center. The room hums with tension. We’ve been arguing about the best way to get Liam back and no one seems to be able to agree.
“I know the house. I have to be the one to go inside.”
“No. Absolutely not.” The thud of Aiden’s palm against the table echoes like a shot through the room. “If Liam were here he’d never let you go in.”
“I have to go inbecauseit’s Liam!” My voice rises, raw and urgent. I’d almost let my father win. I’d almost let him beat me down enough that I’d given up. “He’s my mate and it’s my fucking house. Do you know where to hide if something goes sideways?”
Aiden’s face tightens, a muscle ticking in his jaw as frustration etches lines into his features. He knows I’m right.
“I’ll need help if I get there and Liam can’t walk. I don’t think I can carry him on my own,” I continue, my gaze flicking to Bast. “He can go with me.”
“Aiden, she’s right,” Eleanor says, putting a hand on her son’s arm. “This is the best chance for saving your cousin and you know it.”
“I don’t like it,” Aiden protests.
“You don’t have to like it.”