couldn’t get to her. And when he’d finally gotten free, he’d followed what he could only describe as a shadow, an echo of her presence.
He’d found this little cross on the pavement.
It was hers. He was in no doubt that it had once hung around his mate’s throat. The chain was delicate and just fit around his neck.
“He belongs here with his brothers,” Chaos said.
Silas’s silver gaze moved between them. “We can’t force it.”
Laz growled. “You’re not family, angel. Butt the fuck out.”
Silas stiffened but dipped his chin. “Apologies.” He backed up a step. “I’m just heading out, anyway. I found one of Lucifer’s handmaids. They used to have the ability to move between Heaven and Earth freely, it’s a long shot, but maybe she can help us get Kyler back to Rocco.” Then he turned and walked out.
“You gonna lighten up on him anytime soon?” Gunner asked.
Lazarus swung to him, still pissed. “Until you have a mate, I suggest you not comment, brother. Because that angel chose to withhold information, I almost fucking lost mine.”
Gunner bit back the growl climbing up his throat, fighting back what he really wanted to say as his blood pumped hotly through his veins. His brothers didn’t know what happened with Gunner’s own female, or that losing her was a direct result of what happened with Eve when Laz brought her to the compound that first time. And Gunner wasn’t sure if he’d ever be ready to tell them.
He sure as hell didn’t want their pity.
“But you fucking have her, though, right, Laz?” Apparently, he was going to say a few more things after all. “She’s walking and breathing and sharing your bed every night. I get you’re pissed, he shouldn’t have kept shit from you back then…but she’s okay. You have your mate.”
Laz growled.
Chaos cursed.
“Silas has tried to make amends, repeatedly. He’s actively trying to get Kyler back to Roc, right this fucking minute,” Gunner bit out. “Eve has no problem with the angel, so why the hell can’t you let this shit go?”
“I’m thankful for what he’s doing for Roc, I am, but, brother, you don’t know what you’re talking about,” Laz fired back.
“Silas had his wings literally torn from his fucking back and most of his powers drained before he was thrown away by his family for helping us. We are his motherfucking family. It’s time to get your head out of your damned ass, ’cause the way I see it, you’re doing a fuck of a lot better than he is right now.”
They stared at each other, Laz breathing hard.
“We don’t have time for this right now,” Chaos said as he stepped in between them.
Gunner forced himself to break eye contact. “I sure as fuck don’t. I’m gonna go find Roc, make sure he’s not dismembering demons in the middle of the goddamn street.”
Tugging his shirt off, Gunner tucked it in the back of his jeans and stepped out onto the balcony. Extending his bronze and gold wings, he took flight, heading for the city.
It didn’t take long to find Roc. He was where Gunner often found him. On the roof of one of the buildings overlooking the alley where the portal opened every solstice and equinox. Where demons tried to escape Hell.
The last place Roc had seen his female.
Rocco lay back beside an air-conditioning unit, one arm under his head, the other holding one of his knives, spinning and catching it over and over. He looked even rougher than the night before. But at least he’d showered and changed his demon-blood-soaked clothes.
Rocco’s navy blue eyes slid to him when he landed. “Back so soon?”
Gunner shrugged, tucked in his wings, and sat beside his brother. “Chaos still wants you home…”
“No.” Rocco spun the blade again.
“Told him as much. Where you been staying?”
“Got somewhere nearby.”
Gunner leaned against the heavy steel behind him and rested his forearms on his knees. “Do you…have you sensed her at all?” Gunner usually tried to avoid talking about Kyler, but it wasn’t as if talking about her could make things worse. Who knew, maybe it would help?
His brother's throat worked. “No…yes.” He shoved his fingers through his overgrown hair. “Fucked if I know. Sometimes, I think I do…but only when I’m asleep.”
Gunner stilled. “What happens? You see her, hear her, what?”
He fisted his hair roughly, his breathing growing ragged. His eyes darkened, black swallowing the blue of his irises, his demon showing through.