Romeo had never been more in love with Amanda than when she was birthing their children and the picture of her with their two grandsons in her arms nearly undid his resolve to see this through. What would it cost his marriage to be the bait to a woman who would certainly want him to bed her almost immediately?
Amanda turned to him, the twins tucked safely in her arms and Romeo knew the strength of their love in that moment, because her angry, frustrated eyes softened for just a moment. Find a way to kill her, Amanda said into his head. Then her hard shell was back and she turned from him to head back to the woods. As predetermined earlier, she walked a mile into the woods before Sarina had been allowed to come forward.
Romeo didn’t know firsthand now, but he could imagine how joyful the reunion was between his daughter and soon to be son-in-law, and their twins. He’d give anything to have Jason back with him. Turning toward Lilith, Romeo knew it was now, or never.
“Shall we?” he asked.
She smiled and accepted his arm, leading him straight into the foyer of Hell.
***
Sarina didn’t put Brody Jr. down or hand him to her mate without picking up or trading for Jedidiah. Even as her heart trembled for her father’s safety, she couldn’t contain the joy at having her sons back. “I didn’t know that getting the twins back was part of the plan.”
“It wasn’t,” Amanda said, her own eyes tortured by Romeo’s absence. “Not originally anyways. But your father felt he had to try and it all worked out well. We’ll have to trust that he can outsmart that bitch and do it before she catches on.”
“What happened?” Sarina asked, picking up easily on her mother’s discomfort.
“I sent my husband to be bait to a woman who wants to have him for herself. There’s something particularly sick about all of this.”
“He’s doing it for all of us, Mama.”
“Is that supposed to make it easier? To know that I’m sacrificing the man I love, the only man I’ve ever loved, so that our pack is safe and secure? I sacrifice my happiness for the sake of everyone? I know that sounds selfish, but that is how I feel right now.”
“I’m not saying you should be all chipper about it,” Sarina sighed. “I’m just saying that Daddy can handle himself. He knows what he’s about with her.”
“You didn’t stand there and watch your mate kiss another woman as if she was the woman he truly wanted.”
“He kissed her?”
“It was the way she tested him. She wanted to know for sure that he was telling the truth.”
“Geez,” Sarina sighed. “How’d that go?”
“He passed,” Amanda said. “And I wanted to rip her head off. Even when he was reassuring me before and afterward, it didn’t seem to help.”
“I’m glad I had no idea she was inside Brody’s head before she just appeared. I’ve wanted to claw her eyes out ever since for what she did to him and Jason.”
“We all have a stake to claim when it comes to putting her down. I suppose when this is all said and done, we’ll be able to claim it just as fiercely as the men. Although I’m grateful your father at least negotiated for the twins to be freed.”
“Me too,” Sarina said, gently touching the tops of her sleeping boys’ heads. She followed her mother from her room and gently shut the door, checking once more to ensure the monitor was on. When the twins had gone missing, Brody had contracted two members of the pack to redo their windows, ensuring they were secured from the outside and inside as well. No one would slip into their home unannounced again. “How long does Daddy think it’ll take to gain her trust?”
“He didn’t say for sure, but I know he’s counting the hours. The longer he stays with her, the sooner she’ll know she’s been snowed. I hope it’s within the next forty-eight hours. Either way, I’ll know when he knows.”
“Well, you know you have the whole pack behind you. I’ve already sent couriers out to the outer most members to tell them. I wanted to give preference to those who’ve lost something or someone personal in this fight. If we can take out both Lilith and Fenris at the same time, it’ll be over much sooner. I know that’s a lot to ask though.”
“Not when he murdered members of nearly twenty-five families. Those men know suffering that should have never touched them. Now at least they’ll have their revenge. If it were up to me, I’d just let them have at it by overrunning that place. But I promised your father I’d do it this way first. He’s got this one shot to undo that hellhound from her body so we can crush her. I’ve got this one chance to figure out how we crush her soul. So far, I’ve found nothing.”
“The journals didn’t say anything?”
“I’ve read through them all… from what I’ve read, there’s nothing about destroying a soul, except from the person who is that soul. I’m not sure it can be done, not even by all four Radiants together.”
“Well, we’ll have to improvise then,” Sarina smiled.
***
Sarina shared an impromptu lunch with her mother before she said farewell. Once the boys were safely home, she checked on them again and then, as night was falling, drew a hot bath. When she stepped out and was half dressed, Brody knocked on the door. “Come in.”
“Wow,” he said, looking her up and down.
“The boys still sleeping?” asked Sarina.
“I just fed and burped them. They’re playing around the gated area downstairs. I came to make sure you hadn’t fallen asleep.”
“I’m fine,” she chuckled. “Although indulging was nice for a change.” She smiled when he stepped behind her and placed his chin on her shoulder.
“Does that work for both of us?” he asked before continuing. “The indulging part, that is…” Brody lifted his chin to press his warm lips against the nape of her neck. Chills ran over her skin at his touch.
“Not when our sons are awake,” she laughed.
“Then kiss me to hold me over,” he said, his voice already husky with unspent need. Giving in to her own want, Sarina leaned into him. Her mouth met his with enough passion to spontaneously ignite the Olympic torch. It flared hotly between them for a second, making them forget everything but their needs. Their bodies pressed together, fitting just the way they were intended... lips to lips, breasts to chest, hips to hip. Sarina moaned when she felt Brody’s obvious erection and inwardly debated with herself even as she pulled back. Lightheaded, she gripped his arms tightly.
“You okay?”
“Fine,” she said, grinning. “Just a little lightheaded. Can you check on the boys for me? I’ll be down as soon as I’m dressed.”
“Sure,” he said, smiling.
After a quick kiss on her forehead, Sarina watched him head downstairs.