Dage? The breath swooshed out of Amber’s lungs. “You really do think Jase will figure out a way to die.”
“I really do,” Kane said softly, the words full of pain. “And it’s my job to help my brothers deal with that fact and get out of demon headquarters in one piece while saving your granny.”
She studied him, reality smacking her hard in the face. He didn’t want to believe Jase was going to kill himself—Kane held as much hope as the rest of them. But as usual, he was trying to be the voice of reason and prepare everyone. “Who covers your back, Kane? Who protects you?” Her heart warmed for the man.
He shrugged. “I’m not emotional and don’t need protection.”
But he was, and he did. “Let me help shield you and find my grandmother. She’s my grandmother, and I have to be there. I just know I have to be there.”
He gazed at her, no expression on his face.
Logic wasn’t really working. She’d go over his head to the king, but Dage would probably follow Kane’s advice, especially since Amber and Kane had mated. “I know you don’t trust fate or intuition, but I do. And I need to be a part of the rescue for my grandmother. It’s my risk and my chance.”
He blinked and rubbed both hands down his face. “I don’t know.”
Three words the scientist probably hadn’t muttered very often in his long life.
Amber sighed. “I do know. You’re going to have to trust me at some point, Kane—no matter what happens between us.”
His hands dropped to his lap. Calculation entered his gaze. “Okay. We strike a deal. You’re my mate, Amber. I let you go into danger against every logical reason I have, and you give us a hundred years as mates.”
Surprise shot her shoulders back. “You want a formal contract regarding our relationship?”
“Yes.”
What an ass. Temper nearly had steam shooting from her ears. Plus, the thought spiraled through her brain that Kane had always planned to take her on the mission. This was just manipulation. “So, does this contract of yours detail how many times a day I seek your advice? How many times a year we have dinner together? How many times in a century we fuck like jackalopes?”
He huffed out a chuckle. “I told you, there are no jackalopes. And no, all I want you to agree to is to spend the next century living with me as mates. The rest of your list is totally up to you.”
A hundred years in exchange for him allowing her to do something she had every right to do anyway. Even so, what was a century compared to her grandmother’s life? Amber knew, deep down, she had to be on the raid to rescue Hilde. “It’s a deal with one caveat.”
“Just one?” One dark eyebrow rose.
“Yes. You can release me from the hundred years at any time. The second you do, I have the choice whether to go or stay.” The man had no idea of what she’d do for freedom. He’d want her gone within a month.
He sighed. “Amber, I need to concentrate on curing the virus after we get your grandmother back. The last thing I’ll have time for is you playing a bunch of silly games so I let you go.”
“Take the deal, Kane.”
“Fine. Just so long as you understand that I’ll handle immature behavior as I see fit.”
She frowned. “Meaning what?”
“You act like a brat, and I’ll treat you like a brat.”
Oh, the vampire had no idea who he was messing with. She held out her hand. “It’s a deal.”
His hand enveloped her in a warm, firm grip. “Deal.”
A smile flashed to her lips, and she couldn’t help the challenging curve.
Someone knocked on the door.
Kane froze. Releasing her, he stood. “Stay here.”
Not in a million years. She followed his long strides through the living area to the door.
The king stood on the other side, his face blank, his eyes a burning blue. “We reactivated Hilde’s tracker—she’s on her way to Scotland. We should have her final location within a few hours, and then we’ll go.”
Kane’s shoulders straightened as if he were bracing himself. “And?”
“We intercepted a second video. The demons cut off Jase’s head—he’s dead.”
CHAPTER 30
Amber cleaned up the breakfast dishes, her heart hurting, her mind spinning. Kane had left with the king to create battle plans without saying another word.
The rage and pain in his eyes would haunt her forever.
Everything that happened to his family, to his people, wasn’t his fault just because he was so smart. Why did he have to take all the responsibility on himself?
She wanted to help him. Truth be told, she wanted to soothe him.
Worst truth? She loved him. Had since he’d rescued her on the side of a wintery road.
Why couldn’t he love her back?
Maybe he did and just didn’t know it.
She snorted. That kind of thinking belonged in junior high. Yet still . . .
After cleaning the kitchen, she went through the already tidy quarters and tidied up some more. Finally, she made the bed—not that they’d slept much. Her heart beat faster as she straightened the heavy down comforter into smooth lines. The dark gray color was somehow sexy. Or maybe what had happened on the bed made the bedspread look sexy.
Her marking began to burn.
“We go in an hour,” Kane said from the doorway.
She yelped, her heart racing as she whirled toward him. “I didn’t hear you come in.”
“I’m quiet that way.” His smile didn’t come close to being genuine.
“I’m so sorry about Jase.” Tears filled her eyes, and she tried to blink them back.
“Me, too.” Kane sat on the bed, still wearing his loose sweats and no shirt. “I really wanted to be wrong—but I saw the video. He sure looked dead.”
Kane’s pain made the air heavier.
Going on instinct, she moved between his knees, cradling his head to her chest. “Maybe the video is wrong.”
“That’s what Talen said.” Kane sighed, relaxing, his breath warming her skin. “I’m not sure. I watched it three times just to make sure . . . until I couldn’t watch it again.”
“Tell me what happened.”
His shoulders stiffened. “Jase was in the cell, on the ground, and Suri plunged a knife into his neck. Then he twisted.”
Okay, there wasn’t a decent way to ask the next question. “Did you see . . . um . . .”
“No. I didn’t see Jase’s head roll free.”
“So there’s hope.”
“God, I don’t think so. But maybe.” Kane’s lips wandered along her flesh.
Desire slid through her veins like warm silk. She swallowed, trying to force it away. Now wasn’t the time for sex.
Kane lifted his head, dark eyes full of need. “When we go after your grandmother, some of us may not be coming back. If anything happens to me, you listen to Talen. He’s promised to get you to safety.”
“You think you’re not coming back?” she asked softly, tangling both hands in Kane’s thick hair.
He shrugged. “I’ll do my best.”
Holding him, she leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to his straight nose. “I’ll make sure you survive, Kane.”
His rueful grin seemed more natural. “It’s my job to protect you, mate.”
A logical man shouldn’t be so old-fashioned. “I think it goes both ways these days, vampire.”
“Not to my people, sweetheart.” His hands slid over the silk robe to cup her ass. “No matter how much we plan, how prepared we make ourselves, things go wrong in battle. The demons are waiting for us, and they’ll be prepared.”
His palms burned through the thin material. She shifted her weight, trying to concentrate on his words and not her need. “I know.”
His hands moved to the tie of the robe. Drawing the material apart, he studied her, eyes flaring. “You are incredibly beautiful.” The reverence in his voice humbled her. Gently, he pressed a kiss to her abdomen.