Infinite Ties (All That Remains #3) by S. M. Shade

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through with no problem. I’m sorry, Abby. I know what you all went through this
past winter with Airen. I hate to do this to you, but we have no chance on our
own.”
    “I understand. They’re kids. We have to do
something.”
    “ We have to do something,” Airen
argues. “You’re staying here.”
    “The fuck I am.”
    “Abigail.” His voice is soft, but
threatening.
    “I won’t raid the hotel or whatever you
plan to do. I’ll hide out, and help with the kids after you get them out, but I’m
going.” Last winter without Airen was a nightmare. I’d never have made it
through without Joseph. No way are they both leaving me.
    “We’ll discuss this later,” he snaps. Jon
watches our argument with an amused expression.
    “We can discuss it all you like, but you
may as well include me in your plan because if you leave me here, I’ll follow
you. I’m going. End of.”
    “I’ll talk to Eric and Gary in the
morning, and we can meet here at lunchtime,” Airen says, ignoring me and
directing his words to Nic.
    Nic gets to his feet and takes Troy’s
hand. “Sounds good. We should go.”
    “So should you,” Joseph tells Jon, glaring
at him.
    “Good luck, guys. She’s a stubborn one.
I’ll see you at noon.” Jon laughs and saunters off. The table rocks as Airen
leaps to his feet and stalks into the house, leaving me and Joseph alone.
    “Are you pissed at me, too?” He embraces
me so tight I can hardly breathe. “No, ladybug. I’m terrified.”
    “Me too. I can’t stay here and wait.”
    “I know. We’ll work it out. Try not to be
too upset at Airen. He’s afraid too, and trying to protect you. Let’s go to
bed.” He keeps his arm around me and leads me to our bedroom.
    I’ll never fall asleep. Joseph’s arm is
warm and comforting around my middle, but Airen’s distance fills me with a
terrible hollowness. My time with them may be very short. It’s just too painful
to think about. I need him, even if he’s pissed at me, and I know what Joseph
would encourage me to do.
    “Air,” I say softly, placing my hand on
his back. Could he get any closer to the edge of the bed? “I know you’re mad,
but…I need you.” My voice is small and embarrassed.
    He rolls to face me, his eyes softening as
his fingers comb gently through my hair. “I’m right here, darlin’. What can I
do?”
    “Just hold me. Tight. Give me a night to
feel safe before everything goes to hell again.”
    I’m enclosed in two sets of strong,
masculine arms, caged between their bodies while gentle hands stroke and
reassure. “Everything will be okay, sweetheart,” Airen murmurs. “Please don’t
worry.”
    “I’ll do whatever you want, Air. I’ll
watch from a distance, but please, don’t ask me to wait here. I can’t take it.”
    He sighs. “They take women for sex, Abby.
What if we get hurt or killed and they get their hands on you? We may not get
to you in time.”
    Shit. I hadn’t thought about that. “They
won’t know I’m there. I’ll stay out of sight.”
    “We’re going to Troy’s place first. Maybe
Abby could stay there and at least be close by,” Joseph suggests to Airen, resting
his chin on my shoulder. “She won’t have to wait weeks for news.” His arms
tighten around me. “Airen’s right, if one of them touched you, I’d never
forgive myself.”
    “How far is Troy’s house from the hotel?”
Airen asks.
    “Troy said Sammy walked a few miles after
he escaped, so it can’t be too close. If he’s safe there, then Abby will be
too.”
    “Okay, Abigail.” He sighs and tightens his
arms around me. “Come to Troy’s with us, but if you even think of following us
any farther, I’ll tie you to a tree in his yard.”
    “Does it have to be a tree? I’m sure he
has a couch. It’s a bad time of year for mosquitoes, you know.”
    “Then do what you’re told for once.”
    Joseph snorts. “Because she’s so good at
that.”
    “Hey! I am when it counts!” I poke him in
the ribs.