Darius did not return until late in the evening. I knew because I kept glancing at the window and even when the nurse came in to close it because of the chill, I asked her not to. Ian came back to sit with me and Serena did as well at the end of her shift. I could tell that they knew about what I told Darius but neither of them spoke about it. It took five minutes of awkward silence before I decided to speak.
"Do you think I did something unforgivable?" I asked and they were both shocked by my question. "He hasn't come back yet and it has been over two hours."
"It's not unforgivable, no, but, come on, Leindra," it was Ian who responded. "I have always been on your side but this is absurd. What were you thinking? If you had told me or someone, we would have known what to do."
"You would have told him. You would have stopped me. He told me that he had answers about my parents and I needed them."
"I'm his Beta, yes, I am his best friend, yes, but how many times have I gone behind his back for you? I got punched in the face because I thought you were right and I chose your side when it came to Liam. If you had told me what you were planning, I would have gone with you and none of this would have happened. If you didn't trust me then you should have trusted Amy or Serena."
"I wasn't thinking. It was a split-second decision and I know it was the wrong choice but I needed answers and I couldn't risk him saying no. He already has a vendetta against Brandon for being my ex and I understand. I didn't want to put him in that position by making him choose."
"Can't you see it? You already did," Ian ran his hands through his hair with a sigh. "How would you have felt if Darius went to see his ex without telling you? I don't know what happened between you and Brandon but I know it had to be shitty because Darius hates him. It is natural that he wouldn't like your ex but he despises the guy. I'm guessing something happened and you told Darius, right?"
"You're right."
"Good, now imagine how he feels knowing that after everything you told him, you ran right back into your ex's arms and home. He is more pissed about the fact that you went alone than the fact that you went. Darius cares about your safety more than anything and if you had just told him that Brandon had information that could have influenced your safety then he would have gone with you. You messed up Leindra, big time."
Ian went silent after that but the deed had been done. He hit the mark and I knew without the shadow of a doubt that I was wrong. I was being so selfish that I didn't stop to think of how Darius was going to feel. I honestly didn't think I was going to be caught which was one of the reasons I didn't think to tell anyone where I was going. I ran my hands through my hair in frustration as I realized just how badly I fucked up. It wasn't the usual fuck up where I would just apologize, I had broken Darius' trust and I knew it was going to take a while to get it back.
As if summoned, the door to the hospital room opened and Darius walked in. He looked disheveled, his hair was messy as if he ran his hands through it one too many times, his clothes were wrinkled and his shoes had mud on them yet he still looked breathtaking. His presence was a turbulent wind and everyone could feel it. Ian shot me a smile of encouragement and Serena squeezed my hand affectionately before disappearing.
Darius walked into the room like he owned it and he waited until the others had shut the doors before he spoke. "I spent the last hours thinking about all the reasons you could have to lie to me. I wondered if maybe I ever made you feel unsafe, I wondered if maybe you felt like I was going to hate you. I wondered if I had somehow given you a bad impression of me. Tell me, Leindra, what was the reason?"
"There was none," my voice cracked to see him so vulnerable in front of me. "It was my fault and I am sorry. I wasn't thinking of anyone but myself. I should have never gone there. I should have told you first and I realize that now."
"Why did you do it? What did he want to tell you that was so important that you couldn't tell me about it?"
I told him everything I found out from Brandon about the hunters and my parents. Darius listened intently to every word and by the time I was done, he was silent. There was a storm brewing in his eyes and I knew it was because he knew I had gotten valuable information and he wasn't sure whether he should be proud of me or pissed. I played with my fingers in my lap hoping that it would be enough to appease him for the moment being because I could not bear the idea of Darius being upset with me.
"Is it useful?" I asked slowly and he snapped his head up to me.
"Of course it is useful but it was not worth the risk of your life. Do you realize that you could have died? You were lucky to have hit that tree instead of going off the cliff. Your leg could have been permanently injured. A lot of things could have gone wrong so yes the information is valuable but it was not worth the risk."
"I'm sorry."
"No, I am. I should have never taken off your guards and I should have never left you home alone. The moment you get out of here, you will have Jared on you at all times." "I understand."
He looked shocked that I agreed so easily but the truth was that I knew I was wrong this time and I was willing to take whatever measures he felt were precautionary to ensure it didn't happen again. Darius made his way over to me and placed a soft kiss on my forehead presumably to let me know that he wasn't pissed off at me. I was relieved when he did it and I felt all the tension in my shoulders bleed out.
If you're loving the book, nel5s.com is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! "I'm still pissed, don't get me wrong, but I am glad you are safe," he mumbled against my forehead. When he pulled away his face was stoic. "One more thing, stay the hell away from Brandon. No more secret talks or meetings and I mean it. I don't trust him and I don't trust him even more that I know he is a hunter."
"I thought he was on our side."
"The hunters are on no one's side but their own. He has his own agenda and until I am sure where you fall in it, you need to stay away from him. He is not your friend and he
is not looking out for you. If you don't fit into his plans, he will get rid of you."
I knew he wasn't trying to scare me but something about the way he spoke had the hair at the back of my neck standing on end. My mouth couldn't form the words so I nodded. If Darius didn't trust him then it was probably for good reason. "I'll stay away from him."
Darius stayed with me for the most part. He ensured I was fed and he stayed with me until I fell asleep. He assured me that he wasn't going to leave until I woke up and I believed him which was why when I heard shuffling in my sleep, I assumed it was him. It wasn't until I smelled something weird, something like cinnamon that my eyes snapped open. Darius hated cinnamon so I knew it wasn't him.
The side of my bed where he sat was empty. His blanket was there and I knew that he had risen to do something but that didn't explain the shuffling. The window of my room was open but I was sure that Darius had shut it sometime before I fell asleep. I sat up slowly trying to look around for any signs of life. I didn't find any and I was about to dismiss it as my imagination when I felt a hand close around my mouth. I was about to scream but I heard the voice.
"Relax, it's me," Brandon said sounding almost annoyed. When he was sure I wasn't going to scream, he released me. "I thought he would never leave. Doesn't it get overbearing having him around all the time? It is like having a living, breathing shadow."
"What are you doing here?"
He was taken aback by the coldness in my tone. "I expected a warmer welcome considering I am risking my life by being here. Do you know how hard it was to bypass all the guards he put out there? They were all on the lookout for me, like I would hurt
you."
If you're loving the book, nel5s.com is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experienceâall for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! "You shouldn't be here, Brandon. Darius will be back any minute and you do not want to be here when he does."
"I won't, but I'm confused. Did he tell you something about me? I would have thought you would be more excited to see me considering I gave you willing information earlier today about your family. Information that I am sure Darius didn't have."
"I would be more excited to see you if my brakes weren't messed with while I was at your place. For all I know, you could be an enemy. I don't trust you as far as I can throw you. I need you to leave."
He scoffed and stood up straighter. I could see him clearer in the moonlight and the irritation and annoyance were clearly etched on his face. "I risked my life for you by coming here. I risked my life by coming to this godforsaken town in the first place."
"Thank you but I didn't ask for that, you should leave. Until I know where you clearly stand, I can't be seen with you."
"I was right about you earlier," he began with disgust lining his tone. "You're nothing but his bitch. I hope his dick is gold considering you like to ride it so much." Before I could say another word, he disappeared through the window. My cheeks heated from the insult he had delivered and I briefly wondered if he was right. Did I agree with Darius too easily or was he just trying to throw me off my game?
As if on cue, I heard Darius' footsteps approaching. He glanced over at me with scrunched brows. "Are you okay? Do you need something?"
"I'm fine," I lied. "I was just looking for you."
"I'm here," he began making his way over to the bed but he stopped in his tracks. "Didn't I close the window?"