Brody woke warm and sated for the first time in so long. Fallon was curled against him, her arm around his waist, her soft breasts pressed into his side, and her cheek over his heart. He was covered in her silken hair.
When he looked down, he saw something moving down her back. He gently moved her hair to the side, and his breath caught. Her tattoos had come alive. The waterfall flowed down her spine, the animals prowled, birds flew across her shoulders, and a breeze blew through the trees.
Her hand slid up his chest and he glanced over. Just above her elbow, big green eyes of a calico cat stared at him. She was half-hidden by foliage. He rubbed between her ears and felt nothing but skin, but he could swear the cat moved, pushing her head against his touch.
His cell rang, and Brody cursed under his breath. He untangled Fallon and scooped up his jeans as he stepped out of the room, and quietly shut the door.
“What?” he whispered harshly.
“Ooh, everything okay?” Danika asked with real concern.
“Yeah.” He walked to the window. “Everything is fine.”
“Mind if Adam and I come over? Maybe for breakfast?”
“Is my dickhead brother going to drill me on what happened last night? ‘Cause he nearly fucked everything up.” Hell, Brody almost screwed up by pushing too hard, but he needed to get through to her. He never meant to make her cry and he felt like a dick for that, but she didn’t kick him out, and she woke him up halfway through the night to make love to him again.
“… dude, what the hell is going on with you?” Adam demanded.
“Sorry.” Brody sighed. “Little distracted here. Breakfast? Say in an hour.”
“Did Fallon hurt you? I will so fire her ass if she hurt you.” his brother snarled.
“No,” Brody just about shouted. “I hurt her when I answered the damn phone after making love to her.” He ran a hand through his hair. “We’re together now, but you can’t tell anyone just yet. Swear to me you’ll keep this quiet.”
“Hey, bro, I’m happy for you, but why the hell wouldn’t you take it public? Maybe Dacia would leave you the fuck alone.”
Brody snorted. “Doubtful. Look, there are some good reasons not to spread it around. So you can keep your trap shut or I can kick your ass. You already caused enough shit last night.”
“Okay, man. Okay. I’m sorry.”
Brody smiled a little. “We worked things out, so you’re off the hook, unless you start shit. When should I expect you?”
“By nine. We’ll see you soon.”
* * * *
“Fallon, baby, wake up.” Brody’s voice pulled her from sleep, his gentle fingers tracing the curve of her cheek.
She opened her eyes to find Brody sitting beside her. “Morning,” she murmured, and sat up to lay her head on his shoulder. His big arms wrapped around her.
“I would have made you coffee but you don’t have anything up here. I should have thought of that.”
She smiled to herself. “Not like I’ve been up here all that much. No big deal.” She sighed. “Maybe tonight you can take me by the store.”
“Sure.” He leaned back and tipped her head up. “I’ve got to go make breakfast. Danika and Adam are coming over. So, how about you get ready and meet me down there?”
“I’ll be right down.”
“Okay.” Brody stood and backed out of the room. “I’ll have coffee ready by then, sugar.”
“Wait, tell me something. Do you really call Jess sugar?” If he did, she never wanted to hear the word again.
He laughed softly as he came back to her to wrap her in his embrace. “No, never. Never called anyone sugar, but I had to come up with some excuse because I can’t seem to help myself with you.”
“Good, I like the way you say it.” She took his mouth again.
Brody broke the kiss and caressed her face. “Hurry up and come down.” He let her go and walked to the door, but he smiled over his shoulder before leaving.
She missed him the second the door closed. With a sigh, she looked down and saw her phone, the back, and battery all lying on the floor. She’d be lucky if it wasn’t broken.
The night came back to her, the roller coaster of emotion. In a few hours she went from warmth, to terror, to lust, to despair, to truth, and then falling blindly into whatever she shared with Brody. Her emotions were too big, too deep, and she knew she could easily drown in them.
She picked up the pieces, put her phone together and powered it on.
The phone rang as she walked to the bathroom. “Hi Jess.”
“You okay?” she asked tentatively.
“Yeah, little overwhelmed, but I’m good.”
“Afraid you’re in over your head?”
“Oh, I’m definitely in over my head.” She turned the water on. “I’m not running though.”
“Good. Brody’s good for you, and I think you know it.”
“He is.” She still wasn’t sure she was good for him, but she was willing to try. She just wasn’t ready to talk about him yet. “So, what’s up? Please tell me you’re calling about something other than my mess of emotions.”
Jess giggled. “Well I do want details, but I called to tell you Jamie is coming up early. She’ll be here tomorrow, and I want to make sure you’re still planning to make your chili.”
“What?” Fallon just about shouted. “Does she know about the Dales and all the bullshit up here?”
“Yes. And she’s still moving up. Everything is in place, so really, there isn’t much to do but accept it.”
“What the fuck, Jess. I know she was never in their hands but you were. Why the hell didn’t you talk her out of moving?”
“You know as well as I do she wouldn’t listen. Look, she wants to be up here with us. So please, make your chili and come hang out with us tomorrow night. We’re going to help her unpack.”
“Fine.” Fallon sighed. “I just hope things don’t go as wrong with the Dales as they did last time.”
“I honestly don’t think it will. I haven’t seen anything to make me think the situation will spiral out of control like before.”
Except she hadn’t seen shit about the Dales last time either, but Fallon wasn’t going to point that out. “All right. Chili tomorrow then. I need to shower and get back to Brody. He’s fixing us breakfast.”
“You sure did find yourself the perfect man. I can’t wait until Jamie gets here so you can fill us in on all the hot, steamy details.”
“Please. Like you don’t have your own hot and steamy? I’m sure you won’t shut up and I’ll be spared sharing.”
* * * *
Forty of Edenton’s strongest Others and the town’s few healers were gathered in the middle of the old mill. There was a raised section along the outside of the main room with a railing like an observation deck. The pack had trained here for years.
Everyone was lined up in a ring while Fallon stood in the middle teaching self-defense against Shadowstalkers and dark mages.
Dacia still couldn’t believe Slater had invited her to this training session, especially with Fallon running the show. How in the abyss did a druid know a damned thing about Shadowstalkers and dark mages in the first place? And why the hell wasn’t Hayden watching Fallon like a hawk? Instead the good sheriff was watching Dacia like she was some kind of terrorist.
Fallon seemed to know what she was talking about. She was a superb instructor, and somehow managed to teach Dakota how to throw the biggest werewolf in the pack. The shaman was hopeless when it came to fighting. He was a pacifist through and through.
She repeatedly asked Dacia to join in, but she was unwilling to show off all her tricks. It was tempting to go after Fallon and put her in her place.
One thing held Dacia back. Brody. Attacking Fallon would kill any remote chance she currently had.
Brody stepped into the ring to spar with Fallon. They circled each other. All that big, hot, hard male stalking her and Fallon just smirked. Then Brody dove at her, aiming for her hips.
Fallon just wasn’t there. She twirled out of the way in a graceful move and then came up behind him. He spun, and lunged. This time Fallon went down, and Dacia whooped.
Brody crawled up her body, in a way that looked distinctly sexual with the way he took her hands in his and drew them up over her head as he covered her with his body. Dacia wanted to strangle the cunt.
Fallon got her leg free and placed her foot at his hip, probably on that damned tattoo, and shoved him off of her.
Dacia blinked and found Fallon several yards away. Brody rolled to his feet, biting his lip with a look of concentration on his face.
Hayden’s deep voice startled her. “Why did you agree to come if you’re just going to watch?”
Her eyes swung his way, ire bubbling through her veins. She had to force herself to let go of the railing. “Why did you have to tell everyone about my father?”
“The Dales are trying to use us.” He narrowed his eyes on hers. “I think it’s best to get everyone with any power on the same page. The more your peers know about your abilities, the easier it is for everyone to work together.”
“So you’re saying I have some power?” She snorted. He never thought much of her before.
His dark eyes were accusatory at best. “Yes, and you are part of this community.” His hands clenched into fists before relaxing. Asshole didn’t trust her.
Maybe he just needed to get a fae under him and he’d loosen up for once in his life. She took another glance at him. It was too bad she had her sights set on Brody.
Dacia raised a single brow. “And yet, you’re watching me like I’m some kind of criminal.”
“I have to wonder what you’re planning after you tried to start a fight with Fallon at the bar.” His gaze swung back to the match.
Brody charged Fallon, his eyes locked on her in determination. She sidestepped him in a blur and had his arm pinned so far up his back that he slammed down to his knees. A breathy grunt exploded from him. It all happened between one blink and the next.
Hayden looked back at Dacia. She looked up to find a snarky smirk. “Brody is big, strong and fast. Fallon just put him on his knees.” The amusement on his face pissed her off. “And he doesn’t seem to mind.”
When she looked back, Brody grinned as Fallon took his hand and pulled him to his feet. Then she gave him praise, just seconds after she’d humiliated him.
Dacia was going to show the bitch she was better.
* * * *
“Damn girl.” Slater chuckled. “I’m impressed. You can put my best man on his knees like that.” He was much too amused, and some of the other wolves laughed in response.
Fallon still felt guilty that she might have made Brody look weak in front of his pack. Most of them were giving him high fives so he must not look too bad. They found out she was faster than the wolves pretty fast. Dacia might be even faster. Air fae typically were, but only being half, and the fact that she wouldn’t participate, Fallon had no way of knowing for sure.
“Why don’t you show us what you’ve got?” Fallon taunted Slater.
“Yeah, but Jess already told me you could take me, and she’s never wrong.” He turned to Brody. “How about you and me?”
Brody nodded, not one to back down from a challenge. That was so incredibly hot. He might not be the biggest man in the room, but he was solid muscle and brawn. He was surprisingly limber for being so solid, and easily as graceful as any werecat she knew.
“I want to see what you can do,” Hayden said softly as he came to stand next to Fallon. Last she looked he was talking with Dacia and didn’t look happy. Whatever his motivation, she was curious to see what he could do in a sparring match.
Fallon dragged her eyes off of Brody to look up at Hayden. “Sure, just remember I have a lot of tricks up my sleeve. Don’t get pissed off if I manage to surprise you.”
There was a hint of smile on Hayden’s face. “I may be a hardass, but I’m willing to bet you can counter anything I throw at you.”
That was questionable. Hayden was gigantic and he was the second largest man in the place. There was another wolf, an enforcer in fact, who was taller and broader, but Simons was practically a giant at nearly seven feet tall. The sheriff was built like a lot of earth fae. He was tall, broad with huge muscles.
“I’m sure you have your own talents.” She looked him up and down. Fallon knew enough to watch the ground because most Earth Fae could cause mini earthquakes. She expected Hayden to use compounds which are rocks formed out of dust and other particles. There was no doubt in her mind that he would be incredibly powerful and unbelievably strong.
“Come on, old man,” Brody dared Slater. His voice pulled her attention. She watched him circle Slater. Both men were in battle stances, hands at the ready, and each looked lethal as they eyed each other.
Slater made his move. He stepped forward and swung his arm at Brody, who ducked down and came up on the alpha’s side. Brody caught Slater’s wrist and wrenched him around, just like she did to Brody only moments before.
A groan echoed from Slater, but he pulled a fancy move that shifted into a roundhouse kick, pulling him out of Brody’s grasp. Brody leaned back just in time for Slater’s foot to sail past where his head had been. Brody caught Slater’s leg and used momentum of the kick to spin Slater into the floor so he could pin his alpha. The thud and Slater’s grunt reverberated in her ears.
“I give, I give,” Slater rasped out and winked at her. Crafty bastard.
Brody jumped to his feet, and pulled Slater to a stand. Fallon really wanted to cheer, but watched with the same expression she watched everyone else. Brody met hers gaze and she nodded but looked away before she could give him a warmer response.
It was killing her to ignore what she felt. She wanted to throttle Slater for swinging at Brody, and she couldn’t, especially with Dacia giving her the hairy eyeball.
* * * *
Hayden had seen the way Brody and Fallon reacted to each other the night before. Brody was mating in a big way, and Hayden had to wonder if Fallon even realized it yet. After hearing about some of her past relationships, he wasn’t sure how she’d take the bond. He wished Brody luck, but women were nothing but trouble.
Right now, he was a little worried about how Brody was going to react to watching him spar with Fallon.
Hayden had no intention of hurting her. Honestly, he wasn’t sure he could. Fallon was fast, knew how to throw a punch, and was willing to use any advantage she had in a fight. She fought dirty and didn’t seem to be a stranger to fighting out of her league. That wasn’t right. Fallon was in a league of her own. She dominated every sparring match. Hayden suspected that Brody only managed to pin her because he saw a pattern.
The way she taught each person to use their own specific strengths to their advantage was brilliant. What she taught Dakota and the other two healers was very different than what she taught Tomahawk and the offensive casters. She varied what she taught the wolves based on size.
Hayden had been his king’s general for a century and knew a million tactics. Fallon came up with things he had never even imagined. There was no doubt she was a warrior.
Brody came up beside Hayden, the warning clear in his gaze. “Remember your strength.”
Dane, the nearest wolf, perked up.
Hayden gave Brody a look, but didn’t bother saying anything. He’d keep their secret, but Brody was going to blow it if he kept up the attitude.
“You wanted to see what I can do?” Fallon asked as she moved into the ring, a smirk on her mouth. She had every right to be cocky.
He whipped his hands up as he stepped into the ring, summoning all the loose particles in the mill. Rocks the size of marbles formed above his hands, spinning and gathering mass. They grew to the size of bowling balls in seconds. He heard several gasps and knew Brody was either nervous, or flat out pissed.
Fallon snorted. She cupped her hands together in front of her mouth and blew air into the space. Her hands spread out as lightning danced within the circle of her hands. The crackle set his hair on end.
He flung his hands forward, hurling the rocks toward her. She shot one hand out, flinging the boulders right back. One landed at a wolf’s feet and the other hit Hayden in the shin with more force than he threw the spell in the first place.
She drew her other arm back and threw the lightning sphere like a ball. He ducked, but she slashed her hand toward him and the spell zagged, hitting him square in the chest, knocking him flat. Thankfully he was resistant to most magic. Still hurt, but he absorbed the spell and sprung to his feet just in time for her to dart in and sweep her foot low, putting him right back on his ass.
He slammed his hands into the ground, and she did a backwards somersault as the ground rippled under her. She sprung to her feet with a grin. The floor kept rolling and knocked several werewolves down, Slater included.
“That all you got?” Fallon circled him as she breathed deep. Wind swirled through the building and spiraled around her, whipping loose tendrils of red hair around her. “Come on, Sheriff Hunter. You can do better than that.”
He threw his hand out, feeling for energy under her feet, and then yanked his hand back, pulling the ground toward him.
Fallon stumbled, but managed to stay on her feet. Then she spun like a dervish. The wind formed a tight whirlwind around her, and then whipped toward him almost too fast to see. The compact tornado lifted him off his feet, spinning him into the air. A startled cry burst free, and then he was falling. He landed hard.
Hayden bolted up and threw his hands out, boulders forming as they hurtled toward her.
She stopped spinning on a dime, and spread her hands. Her eyes closed and her chest heaved as a brilliant flash of light blinded him. When his vision cleared, he saw the small piles of ash directly in front of the sheet of shimmering shield before her.
Hayden just blinked at her. “I’ve never seen anything like that.” A slow smile pulled at his mouth. “I’m impressed.”
“Me too. I knew you’d be able to manipulate the ground, even create those compounds, but your last spell was nearly too fast.”
A laugh exploded from him. “Please, you countered before the rocks were close and nearly blinded me in the process.”
* * * *
Brody’s heart pounded in his chest. Watching Hayden come at Fallon was hell even though she countered everything he threw at her and knocked him on his ass repeatedly. He still wanted to beat the hell out of Hayden for pulling any of that shit.
Fallon impressed him, though. She was better than anyone could have imagined, and the things she managed to do blew his mind. Then again, he never considered Hayden might have any magic.
Brody moved to the platform to lean against the railing. He watched as Fallon taught a simple maneuver to block a vampire from biting. Pretending they were only friends was killing him. He needed to get a handle on himself in a major way.
“She’s not coming on to you,” Dacia said and he nearly jumped out of his skin. He never saw her come up. “But you’re thinking about pursuing her.”
He glanced over at Dacia. He knew there was no point lying. He’d been watching Fallon all day and couldn’t hide his brewing temper. “Would it matter if I did?” He was so tired of Dacia’s games.
She pouted back at Fallon. “She’s nothing like Sarah.”
“No. She’s really not. But she’s nothing like you either.” He went back to watching Fallon.
“What is it about her that has you, the man who hasn’t looked at another woman in years, completely enthralled?”
“She’s full of life, funny, easy to talk to, incredibly talented, thinks of everyone but herself, and she doesn’t give a damn what anyone else thinks about her. It’s refreshing.” There were a million more things he could say about Fallon.
“You didn’t mention how beautiful she is.” Dacia’s eyes narrowed.
“Well, she is,” he admitted. “And that would have warranted a first look, but beauty never kept my interest. I need substance, and Fallon has substance. She fits into everything in my life”
“Just like Sarah?” She snorted, obviously missing the point.
Better than Sarah, but he felt like an ass for thinking it. “It’s not about Sarah. It shouldn’t be about her. Besides, Sarah wouldn’t want me to do what I’ve been doing the last four years. I wasn’t living. But since Fallon showed up, I’m not so empty. So can you fault me if I’m considering it?”
Dacia scowled, and her hands wrapped around the railing until her knuckles were white. “Yes. You were supposed to get over her and want me.” She shook her head. “Fallon’s not right for you. She’s trouble.”
His gaze slid back to Dacia. “Why? Because she wouldn’t take your bait? Because she didn’t want to play your games?” One brow arched as he coldly stared at her.
“Fine, you’ve made your point. I will laugh when she won’t take you. Hell, she barely looks at you.” Dacia laughed coldly. “She hasn’t made a single move. Has she?”
Thank God she doesn’t know about last night. “I suppose we’ll see.”
“Hmph.” Dacia stomped off.
Brody turned his attention to Fallon. She had moved on to ways to evade spells. Dacia stalked up to the circle of people surrounding Fallon. She disappeared and Fallon spun as she dropped to her knees, sliding out of the way. Dacia reappeared right where Fallon had been, with a long curved dagger with glowing red etching. There was an acrid smell of strange magic.
Brody was over the rail and on his way to them before he even thought about moving. A growl rumbled out of him that was all about protecting his mate.
* * * *
The longer Dacia talked to Brody the more she realized what a fool she’d been. He wanted Fallon because she was stronger than his dead wife. Fallon could fight, she could brawl, and she could protect herself. Dacia should have known. His wife was a damned soldier after all.
How the fuck did I miss that? Dacia seethed.
Well, she was going to show him a strong woman. One who could take Fallon down a few notches. Oh, Dacia wouldn’t kill her, but she would cut the bitch who managed to outmaneuver the wolves, even Brody. She couldn’t believe Fallon managed to overpower a fae warrior.
Fallon was too damned smug, and Brody only had eyes for her. That was going to change right now.
Dacia stalked back down to the group where Fallon was in the center giving some stupid speech about…who fucking knew. She was going to prove just how ineffectual all of the druid’s bullshit techniques were, and how weak she really was.
Tapping into her fae side, she started to fade out, feeling lighter. She would disperse into the air and take her shape in time to harm Fallon, only enough to stop this unnecessary training session. They didn’t need an outsider to protect them
When Brody realized Dacia was the stronger woman, he would finally see she was worthy.
* * * *
Fallon kept an eye on Dacia from the moment she walked into the building. She didn’t trust the woman, half-fae, witch, or whatever. She had an unhealthy obsession with Brody and there was no way she was giving up so easily.
It came as no surprise when Dacia went to talk to Brody, or that she didn’t like whatever he had to say. Fallon wasn’t even surprised when Dacia started for the circle with a vicious and totally psycho gleam in her dark eyes. The closer Dacia got, the more warped her image became. Then she just disappeared.
Fallon knew what was coming because she had seen that trick before. Dropping to her knees, she spun away in a blur and came up behind Dacia. Fallon clocked Dacia upside the head hard enough to put her on the floor.
Dacia went down but was only there a second before she pulled another disappearing act, fazing into thin air.
Fallon reacted automatically, sending out a pulse of energy, knocking several wolves back, but also forcing Dacia to rematerialize. Dacia flailed and desperately tried to keep her balance. When she finally fell, Fallon sprung forward, snapped the blade out of her hand, and slammed the hilt into her temple. Dacia was dazed.
Cold magic hummed through the blade. Fallon jumped back out of Dacia’s reach. There was an abundance of built up energy from all of the Others in the building. She closed her eyes and breathed in the energy, then used the extra power for a burst of magical strength to drive the blade straight into the concrete floor.
Fallon stood and walked back. Dacia kicked and screamed even as three wolves held her while Hayden put iron cuffs on her. Certain types of fae had the same problem with iron as werewolves did with silver. Dacia was the only one in the mill with that problem, so Hayden must have expected trouble. Iron cuffs weren’t exactly standard issue.
“What the fuck?” Fallon demanded. Dacia blinked up at her, her face red with fury. “I’m trying to help you. If those vampires come after you, I won’t be your enemy, but if you keep that bullshit up I’m not going to help you either. Is that what you want?”
“How in the abyss did you know what I was doing?” Dacia screamed. She wasn’t fighting anymore but the iron had to burn, and the werewolves still held her.
Then Brody was at Fallon’s side, staring daggers at the Dacia. A low rumbling growl rolled out of him, making the hairs at the back of her neck stand up.
Well, so much for our relationship staying a secret. Honestly though, Fallon was relieved. She was never good at pretending.
The wolves had probably figured out what was going on with the way he kept a protective eye on her the entire day. And now he was a mass of pissed off werewolf, radiating menace toward Dacia. Yeah, they knew the score.
“Hey Brody,” Fallon said sternly as she caught his arm before he could take a step toward Dacia. He slowly turned his head to look at her. The absolute rage burning in his eyes would have scared the hell out of her if she didn’t know exactly who his temper was directed at. “I’ve got this. Tone it down a notch.”
He nodded and calmed down as that rumble died out instantly. He was still pissed, but he no longer looked like he was ready to tear Dacia’s throat out. She was completely floored by how quickly he chilled.
She turned back to Dacia and took a breath. “I saw you phasing out and I knew what was coming. I’ve seen it before.” Fallon narrowed her eyes. “I don’t have the patience to play games. I may not look like much, but trust me, Dacia, you don’t want to fuck with me.”
“And what? Now you’re just going to trust me?”
“No. But you have one last chance to back the fuck off. Regardless of what happens between Brody and me, it has nothing to do with you. From what I hear, you’ve been playing the same game for ten years. You can’t blame me because Brody lost interest before it got started. Get over him already.”
Tears streamed down Dacia’s face. “I never had a chance. And you’re fucking perfect.”
Perfect? She was so far from perfect the notion would make her laugh if she wasn’t so pissed off. “I’m not. I’m the first one to admit it, but I’m not trying to force someone to have feelings they don’t have.”
Dacia sniffled with her makeup was running down her tear-streaked face. “Now what?”
Unfortunately, they could use Dacia, and shutting her out might send her to Malachi’s side. So, Fallon gave her a steady look and asked, “Are you going to pull any more shit? And remember, you’re in a room full of werewolves, so lying isn’t in your best interest.”
“That’s it? You’re not going to end it?” she whined.
One brow arched. “I thought I did. I disarmed you and knocked you on your ass. Twice. That not good enough for you?” Fallon couldn’t keep the aggravation out of her tone. “Well, do you have any more shit to pull?”
“I could lock her up,” Hayden offered gruffly. “I think attempted murder earned her some cell time.”
Dacia glared at Hayden who just rolled his eyes.
“Come on, Sis,” Dane snapped, and Dacia finally looked at her brother who held her right arm. “Stop being a selfish bitch for once in your goddamned life. Take a step back and look at the bigger picture. She just taught every one of us how to defend ourselves. She could have easily killed you instead of disarming you, but she didn’t. She even stopped Brody who was ready to kill you himself. Brody has found a mate, and you owe her an apology. If you can’t leave her the fuck alone, I’m sure Hayden will have no problem locking your ass in a cell.”
Mate? Fallon froze. She hadn’t seen that one coming, but she felt the truth of the statement all the way to her heart.
* * * *
Dacia stared at her half-brother in disbelief. Mated? Brody was on his way to mating? After all these years, she never thought he would mate anyone. She was too late, too damned late. There was nothing she could do. She was crushed. Dane was right, and Fallon didn’t even look surprised.
Either Brody or Fallon could have easily killed her. Half the wolves were still growling at her. Hayden locked her in iron fucking cuffs. As much as the bitter reality hurt, she needed to get over him.
Fallon folded her arms over her chest. “Well, Dacia, are you going to stop the bullshit and learn what you need to know? You’ll be great to have in a fight against the Dales. We need to stand together, because they want to tear us apart, and you are a part of this as much as anyone else in this room.”
Dacia couldn’t believe Fallon was giving her another chance. Brody never loved Dacia, though she wished he could, and now he was mated, or mating, or who the hell cared.
“I’m sorry.” Dacia cried. “All right? I’m sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking, but I’m jealous and pissed at you, even though you haven’t done a damned thing wrong.” Her chest ached. “You haven’t done a single thing but help everyone.”
Dacia had Fallon all wrong. She was everything Brody claimed and more. Fallon was giving her yet another chance she clearly didn’t deserve.
Fallon asked, “Does that mean you’re with us?”
“Yes. I don’t want those assholes winning either. What do I have to do to prove it?”
Fallon looked at Dane. “Is she telling the truth?”
He closed his eyes and inhaled deep before nodding.
Hayden removed the cuffs with a warning. “Try that again, and I will lock you up.”
All Dacia could do was nod.
Then Fallon surprised her by walking over and offering her hand. Dacia took it and was pulled to her feet.
She had no words, and Fallon seemed to write off Dacia’s tantrum because she got back down to business. This time, Dacia sucked it up and participated because it looked like she could learn a thing or two from Fallon.