Return to the Darkness - Ripley Proserpina Page 0,19

however well-intentioned, had dragged us back to a place I hated. “I don’t know what you’re doing here, but you need to stop.”

Narrowing his eyes, he shook his head. “I can’t. I’m the only one who can make things right.”

“Do you hear yourself right now? You sound insane. You’re the only one who can make things right? You’re jumping through time, and you have no idea what it is you’re affecting. It could be that you just put Erdirg to sleep, and if that’s what happens, good for you. I’ll be the first one to pat you on the back. But you have no idea what will happen as a result of the changes you make. If you fuck something up and I don’t meet your sons, I’m going to open a portal, go back and time, and kick you in the dick.” I meant it, too. “Wouldn’t it just be easier to talk to your kids? Go to fucking family therapy? I’ll even pay for it. Hell. I’ll go as well! I’m already two-parts crazy.”

Mr. Chee snorted, his shoulders relaxing. “Lacey. You’re the best thing that happened to my boys. You did more to make them the men they are—men I am proud of—than I did. I see that. But you’re wrong. I’m not just trying to change things to make our relationship better. I’m doing this because if I could change one thing about my past, it’d be to put my kids first. Not my pride. Not responsibilities. My kids. And I think you can understand that, because you’d put my boys first, too.”

Fuck. He was right. “Well then, talk fast. Tell me exactly what you’re up to before I get sucked back through time again.”

As if saying it made it happen, the world around us grew gray, color leaching from the scenery. “Just follow your instincts. And tell my sons to follow theirs. They’ll figure it out.”

I opened my eyes to find myself in the cool car, rushing through the night desert. Aaron held me in his arms while Oliver drove and Colton spoke rapidly into his phone.

“Did you find it?” I asked.

At my voice, Oliver started and the car suddenly veered as he glanced over his shoulder at me. “Thank fuck.”

“Your dad put stones beneath the rock. He left them there for you.”

“We found it.” Aaron smoothed my hair away from my face before leaning down to kiss my forehead. “You’re much cooler now.”

The car was so cold, goosebumps broke out along my skin and I shivered. “We didn’t have much time to talk.”

“I don’t want to hear it.” Oliver’s voice was hard and cut like a whip. “He doesn’t get to control us. He shouldn’t be pulling you away from us. You don’t belong with him.”

“I don’t think he’s trying to pull me away.” I sat up, but leaned against Aaron. My whole body ached. “Can you turn the air conditioner off?”

Aaron slung his arm around me and drew me against him. His body warmth seeped into me, and I sighed happily. I was in his arms, which meant I was safe.

For now.

“The stones affect me. Bring me through time. He said to listen to your instincts. You’ll know what to do. And he’s trying to put you first.”

Oliver shook his head. “Putting us first would be respecting our decisions, doing what we asked, and treating us like adults. Not… this.” By the time he finished, he was shouting.

Aaron winced. “Oliver. Take a couple of breaths.”

“Tell me to breathe again, little brother, and I’ll pull this rental car over and break your nose.”

Colton sighed. “Both of you, calm down. You break his nose and I’ll break yours. It’ll be a whole bloody mess. Literally. We’re family. We don’t do this to each other.”

Aaron laughed. “I’ve got news for you. This is exactly what family does. He’s threatened to break my nose about a million times. He’s never done it. I broke his once.”

“You did?” This really wasn’t important, but I had to ask.

“He was two.” Oliver scowled. “He whacked the heck out of me with his forehead.”

“I’m still the only one out of the two of us to make the other bleed.”

They were reverting. Two seconds talking about their father and they were acting like little boys again. “Guys, seriously. What do your instincts tell you to do about the stones? What is it that you think needs to happen here so that we can get through this?”

Colton met my gaze. “Erdirg is gone. If