hungover for a couple of days. You’ll need to get my car and drive it a little closer to the cave. The windows are fitted with a special filter that blocks out the UV rays, so I’ll be able to make it home in one piece.”
“Okay, good. Give me your keys, and I’ll get the car.”
He hesitated, brow furrowing as he studied me. “Are you okay? I’m sorry Edwards hasn’t come back yet.”
There was genuine sympathy in his voice, and my stomach twisted at the reminder. Pulling myself together, I rummaged in my pocket and retrieved the copper coin he gave me.
“Edwards said if he wasn’t back by morning that we could leave and he’d find me using this,” I said, holding up the coin.
“Yes, I remember.” He reached out, running a hand over my cheek. I trembled at the affectionate gesture. “He’ll come back.”
“You think?” I asked hopefully.
“I’m sure of it.”
“Thank you,” I whispered, meeting his gaze. Something passed between us, some strange kind of reconciliation. He hadn’t forgiven me, but he didn’t hate me anymore either. I refused to believe he could hate me after letting me sleep in his arms the entire night and risking exposure to the sun.
Ethan gave me his keys, and I jogged out to get his car. When I pulled up to the cave, Ethan had his jacket over his head as he used his vampire speed to dash into the car. I was still in the driver’s seat, and various intimate body parts brushed as we switched places inside the car. I fell into the passenger seat, and Ethan drove away from the cave, not commenting on the fact that my boobs were practically mushed into his face mere seconds ago.
Ethan dropped me off outside Finn’s house and then continued over to his place. Unlike Finn’s, Ethan’s house had a garage attached to the side of it. I watched as the door opened automatically and he drove right in, which was handy since he needed to avoid any more sunlight hitting him.
Just as I slotted my key in the door, Finn pulled up. He and Ira had returned from their night babysitting Rebecca.
“Where have you been?” Finn asked as he approached.
I opened the door and motioned them both into the kitchen, where I made breakfast for the three of us as I filled them in on last night’s events.
“I hope Cristescu behaved himself,” Finn said, frowning.
I swallowed down a bite of toast, self-consciousness heating my cheeks as I recalled waking up in his arms. He’d risked getting stuck out in daylight for me and would be under the weather for days because of it. My heart squeezed at the thought.
“Yes, he behaved himself,” I replied before taking another bite of toast. “So, what are your plans for the day?” I asked, changing the subject.
Finn dabbed at his mouth with a napkin. “Ah, I’ve to do some training with the recruits down at the compound. It’s a bastard of a job, especially since I didn’t get much sleep last night. I won’t be finished until late this evening, so I’ll bring back dinner for everyone.”
“Sounds good,” I replied, my mind inevitably wandering to Edwards and my dad. Why weren’t they back yet? Had something awful happened?
As though sensing my thoughts, Finn gave me a kind look. “Hey, I’m sure this demon fella knows what he’s doing. Rescue missions never go down the way you plan them. There are always complications. All we can do is hope that he gets back here in the end.”
“Yeah, you’re right,” I sighed. “I just feel so useless sitting around waiting.”
“Why don’t you go out and do some shopping today? Women find that shit relaxing, don’t they?”
I shot him an arch look. “That’s a stereotype, but you might be onto something. I do need some new boots.” I lifted my foot to show him my scuffed and worn Doc Martens.
“There you go. Bring Rita and Alvie with you and make a day of it,” he rummaged in his pocket, lifting out his wallet. Opening it up, he withdrew some cash and tried handing it to me.
I gaped at him. “I’m not taking that. I’ve enough money of my own after Pamphrock paid me.”
“Just take it. I want to do something nice for you,” Finn insisted.
I glanced down at the cash. “No, put it back in your wallet and stop acting weird, Finn.”
We stared each other down for a moment or two. Finally, he relented and put the money