My heart skipped. Vaughn? “Who?”
Jethro kissed my cheek, brushing aside my hair with gentle fingers. “Your father.”
I froze. “Tex?”
He nodded. “Arch has been busy the past few weeks. While I’ve been healing, I’ve kept an eye on him. He’s gathering an army, Nila—not just media this time, but a proper bought team. He’s ready to hunt and I’ll give him the perfect target.”
“How—how do you know that?”
His teeth gleamed with anger and commitment. “I looked into his background. Pulled a few favours to find out if there’s been inconsistent spending in his accounts.”
“Wow—”
“Eh, Jet?” A figure appeared from the blackness.
I jumped. However, instead of cowering behind Jethro like I would’ve a few months ago, seeking protection and others to save me, I unthinkingly placed myself in front of him. My arms up, fists curled, teeth bared in defiance.
I might be almost broken, but I protected those I loved.
The hunchback came closer, skulking from the shadows. “Impressive stance, Nila. But if you mean to follow through with a punch, make sure your thumb is on the outside of your fingers. Otherwise, you’ll break it.”
I narrowed my eyes as the figure dumped two duffels from his shoulders to cobblestones. The dense fabric slapped loudly in the night silence.
“Flaw?”
A low chuckle reached my ears as he stepped from the darkness. “Hi, Nila.” His eyes skated over me, widening with understanding of what Jethro and I had gotten up to.
Jethro hugged me from behind, planting a kiss on my cheek. “I didn’t think I could love you any more than I do. You just proved me wrong. Thank you for protecting me.”
My heart burst.
Letting me go, he skirted in front of me and held out his hand. “Once again, you’ve earned my thanks.”
Flaw nodded, shaking Jethro’s grip. “Jasmine’s been told. I’ve got what you asked, and nobody is the wiser.” His eyes fell on me. “I can take you back to the estate, Nila. Give you an alibi if anyone’s up at this ungodly hour.” Fishing in his pocket, he held up a key. “I have the key to your room.”
Jethro rubbed his chin. “That might not be a bad idea. Just think up a decent excuse.” He narrowed his gaze in my direction. “You’ve been sick with the flu—you can’t deny it—I can still hear it in your lungs. Use that as a reason for midnight wanderings. You needed medicine.” His face darkened. “Which I doubt you asked for while you suffered.”
I looked away. “What I do when you’re not around is my business. Just like you getting shot and making us all believe you were dead is yours.”
Hear what I’m saying? That I’m not a victim anymore—I’ll stand up for myself regardless if you’re there to help me or not.
Jethro clenched his jaw.
Flaw laughed. “Tension in paradise, huh?”
Growling under his breath, Jethro changed the subject. “Did you manage to catch him okay?”
Flaw grinned, his strong jaw shaded in dark stubble. “Bit of a bugger to start with but nothing a handful of oats couldn’t overcome.” Pointing at the bags, he added, “Medical supplies in that one. Along with water and food enough for a week. Clothing, tent, and survival stuff in that one. I doubt you’ll want to make a fire in case they see the plume, so I brought a gas heater to cook on and to keep you warm, along with an electric blanket that’s solar-powered.”
My eyes widened. “Wait, why does he need all that?”
Jethro turned to me. “Because you might be going back into the Hall alone, but I made a promise that I’d never leave you again.” He took my hand, guiding me away from Flaw and outside where the moon drenched the forecourt. Before it’d been empty and silent. Now Wings stood patiently, saddled and bridled, his back hoof cocked with boredom.
Seeing the black beast caused hope to explode all over again.