Con cocked his head to the side. “What proof?”
“Eyewitness,” she whispered as if it took her great effort.
“A bloody lie,” Henry stated.
Con squatted down so he could look Esther in the eye as she began to lean to the side, her body unable to keep her upright. “Have you wondered where Henry’s been?”
Esther shook her head, unable to voice any more words she was so weak.
“Perhaps you should’ve,” Con said. “He’s worked tirelessly to protect innocents all over the world. He’s been a friend to us here on Dreagan. Henry has a knack for judging people, does he no’? Perhaps you should consider that.”
When Con stood, he shot a look to Ryder.
Kinsey watched as Esther fell unconscious. Henry was there to catch her in his arms. He stood, holding her carefully despite the anger on his face.
“We need to discover how much she knows as well as who she’s working with,” Henry said.
Ryder considered Henry. “She’s your sister. Do you have any idea what you’re wanting us to do?”
“What needs to be done. This is my home now too. I’ll protect it,” Henry stated. “Besides, I want her to learn the truth of everyone. She’s chosen the wrong side.”
“And if her mind can no’ be changed?” Con asked.
Henry turned his face away. “I’ll deal with that if the time comes.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
It was nearly midnight when Ryder quietly walked into his room. The afternoon and evening had been filled with more work at the computer. As difficult as it’d been, he didn’t talk to Kinsey about anything other than work—which had been torture when all he wanted was her in his arms.
And with them digging into Ulrik, Kyvor, and now Esther, there was a lot to do.
Dinner was eaten at their desks. At ten, Ryder had called an end to the day for Kinsey. She didn’t argue. She simply rose and walked away, covering a yawn with her hand.
He’d debated whether to venture into his room again. Ryder had gotten away with sleeping with her the night before, but he was taking a chance two nights in a row.
But he couldn’t stay away.
He closed the door softly behind him. Tonight, Kinsey was buried under the covers with her dark hair spread out around her. Ryder walked to the other side of the bed and removed his shoes.
Just as the night before, he gingerly sat and slowly lay back. His thoughts wandered through the day and all that had happened. Time and again, he returned to the memories of their near kisses.
She wanted the kiss, wanted him. Of that Ryder was certain. He could see it in her eyes, hear it in the way her breathing changed. Why did she keep pulling away when she wanted it as much as he?
He knew he’d hurt her, but it wasn’t in a mortal’s nature to keep turning away from something they craved. That’s where he’d underestimated her. It was going to take much more than her desire to make her give in to him.
For the first time, Ryder began to worry that he might not win Kinsey back. It made it all the harder, because she was at Dreagan. She knew their secrets and was part of their lives. He was getting to see firsthand how it would be if he took her as his mate.
He wanted it so badly he could taste it.
His eyes closed, promptly shutting out dismal thoughts of Kinsey refusing him. Instead, he returned to thinking about the second time she nearly allowed their kiss.
The way her fingers had pressed into his chest and how she’d leaned against him were all signs she wanted their kiss. Ryder slowed the recollection, committing every second to memory from the way her lips parted and her chest heaved to her eyes dilating.
There was a sigh before Kinsey turned over in her sleep toward him. Ryder moved his head to look at her. Her face was mere inches from him.
He carefully lifted his arm up to drape over his pillow. There was a desperate need to touch her, hold her. But somehow Ryder kept his hands to himself. He didn’t want her waking.
If all he could have was lying beside her as she slept, then that’s what he’d take.
Ryder didn’t know how long he lay there listening to her breathe while wondering what she dreamed of. To his surprise, Kinsey scooted closer to him.
He moved his arm to lightly rest around her. A smile formed when she shifted once more until her head was on his chest. Only then was Ryder able to close his eyes.
Kinsey was where she was always meant to be—in his arms.
*
Kinsey snapped open her eyes. She’d had the weirdest dream that Ryder had been in bed with her. She sat up and looked at the pillow, but once more there was no evidence of anyone having laid their head there.
She rose and showered, thinking about the dream the entire time. Even while she dried her hair, she recalled how vivid her dream had been. It was so clear she would’ve bet money Ryder was in bed with her.
Did she want it so badly that even her subconscious mind was turning against her?