Drink Deep - Chloe Neill [125]
“You knew when the rest of us knew,” I said. “And you’re the one who saved her and the rest of the city tonight. Never forget that.”
He was quiet for a moment. “Do you remember when I told you that you had something of mine—something you had to protect?”
Tears immediately sprang to my eyes. “I remember.”
“This is the time,” he said. “I need you to protect it.”
“Then that’s what I’ll do. I’ll find her, Catcher, and I’ll bring her back to you, safe and sound.” The promise made, I hung up the phone and glanced over at Ethan, worry in my heart.
“So,” he said, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “When do we leave?”
An hour later, we met in the foyer of Cadogan House, each of us carrying a duffel bag and a sheathed sword. Helen had replaced my Cadogan medal, and a thoughtful someone had collected my car from Wrigleyville. That didn’t sway Ethan, though, who insisted we drive his convertible Mercedes to find Mallory. And really, who was I to argue?
Ethan’s hair was tied at the nape of his neck, and he wore the SAVE OUR NAME T-shirt—an homage to Wrigley Field—that he’d once let me wear.
“You ready?” he asked.
I nodded.
Vampires began to funnel into the foyer, now cleared of Frank’s rules, Malik in the lead. He stepped up to Ethan and me and stretched out a hand. He shook Ethan’s, and then mine.
Luc, Lindsey, and Juliet stepped behind Malik, and Ethan’s gaze moved to each in turn, then back to Malik. “You have enough coverage to protect the House?”
Malik nodded. “Kelley is confirming temporary replacements as we speak. And in the meantime, we are here if you need us. And when you return.”
“Thank you,” Ethan said, and after another round of hugs and tears, for the last time in God knew how long, we walked out of Cadogan House together, with a map and a plan.
Unfortunately, I barely made it three feet without stopping short.
Jonah stood at the gate, hands in his pockets, expression blank but for the solemn eyes that shifted between me and Ethan. My heart skipped a beat, anticipation building as I wondered why he was here . . . and what he would say.
We met him at the gate, Ethan’s expression shifting between me and Jonah.
“On behalf of Grey House,” Jonah said, “welcome back to Chicago.” He glanced between me and Ethan. “You’re going to find Mallory.”
“We are,” I said, and we stood there awkwardly for a moment. Time to see how far that trust extended. “Ethan, could you excuse us for a moment?”
“Of course,” he said, but raised my hand to his lips and pressed a kiss there before moving toward the Mercedes.
“I suppose you’ve gotten your partner back,” Jonah said.
“I agreed to join the RG,” I quietly reminded him. “And I don’t take that lightly.”
Jonah looked at me for a long time, and I could read the deliberation in his eyes: Was I committed now that Ethan was back?
He must have found merit in my honesty, as he finally nodded. And then he spoke his piece: “We have moved in and out of each others’ lives. Twice now, we’ve crossed each others’ paths—for you, both as a human and a vampire. Relationships have been built on less.”
I rolled my eyes. “And Ethan would end you for suggesting it.”
He smiled. “Ethan would appreciate a man who knows what he wants—as long as I don’t interfere. And I don’t plan on doing that. You and I are partners. I know where the lines are, Merit, and I can respect them. I have no interest in breaking up a relationship.”
I made my good-byes and walked back to where Ethan was loading our bags into the car. I expected suspicion and vitriol in his mood and tone. I did not expect to see the smile on his face.
“Your partner while I was away?” he asked.
I nodded, still unsure of my steps.
“You can relax,” he said with a canny grin, then tweaked my chin. “I trust you.” And then he tossed something in the air. Instinctively, I reached out and caught it, then glanced down at my open palm—and back up at him.
He smiled cannily. “Omaha’s a long drive. You can take the first shift.” True to his word, he