His Moonsilver Mate (Abby and Kade) novel Chapter 35

Chapter 35

Rade

Ryan was already waiting in my office when Liam came back from the garden.

I looked up as soon as the door closed behind him.

“How did Sloane react?”

Liam crossed the room.

“Exactly how we hoped.”

Ryan straightened from the wall.

I set the report in my hand aside.

“What did she do?”

“When I told everyone we’d caught the rogue who took Abby and were moving him into the lower cells, she froze.”

“For how long?”

“Couple seconds. Then she covered her mouth, said she felt sick, and left.”

“And Abby?”

Liam’s expression changed.

“She went pale.”

Knox stirred.

“I told her the rogue was secured and she was safe. Chloe stayed with her.”

I nodded once.

Ryan looked between us.

“So the bait landed.”

“Maybe,” Liam said.

I leaned back in my chair.

“If Sloane had nothing to do with the rogue who took Abby, hearing he was caught shouldn’t change anything.”

“And if she did?”

“She’ll want to know what he told us.”

1:55 pm

Ryan nodded.

The three of us had already gone over the plan enough.

One empty cell. A story told in front of the right people. A handful of men who knew the truth.

I looked at Ryan.

“Make it look like we’re busy.”

“Already started.”

“Keep the obvious surveillance light.”

Liam frowned.

“You want her comfortable.”

“I want her to think no one’s watching.”

Ryan pushed away from the window.

“And if she moves?”

“Follow her. Don’t interfere unless she tries to leave the grounds.”

He nodded.

Liam looked at me.

“You really think she’ll go down there?”

“If she hired the rogue, she has to assume he’ll talk.”

Silence settled over the office.

Then Liam asked, “Anything from Daphne?”

“Not yet.”

“Sloane’s second test was this morning?”

“Yes.”

“When does she get the result?”

“Later today.”

He rubbed a hand over his jaw.

“So she’s waiting on that too.”

1:35 pm

alairt answer,

There were already enough things hanging over this day.

Ryan headed for the door.

“I’ll keep you updated.”

“Mind-link only.”

He nodded and left.

Liam stayed where he was.

“She’s okay,” he said,

I knew who he meant.

“Theard you.”

“No, you heard the words.”

My eyes narrowed.

“Get out.”

His mouth almost twitched.

“Still staying away from her?”

“Yes.”

“Good.”

I gave him a look.

He opened the door.

“It’s killing you, isn’t it?”

“Leave, Liam.”

This time he laughed under his breath and went.

I tried to work.

For a while, I even managed it.

Then laughter drifted through the open window.

1:55 pm

Knox was awake instantly.

Abby

I kept reading.

Go.

“No.”

He pushed harder.

I lasted another minute before standing.

The garden spread below my office window, washed in warm afternoon light. My mother had covered the grass with blankets and tables, turning a security measure into something that looked almost normal.

I found Abby immediately.

She sat beside Chloe beneath one of the maples.

Chloe said something.

Abby laughed.

Two days.

I had stayed away from her for two days.

No knocking on her door.

No checking whether she had eaten.

No inventing reasons to pass through whatever room she happened to be in.

Twice I had seen her in the hallway.

Twice I had kept walking.

Knox hated every second of it.

So did I.

Go to her.

My fingers curled against the windowsill.

I wanted to.

I wanted to ask whether she had slept. Whether she still had nightmares. Whether she was still angry.

V

1:55 pm

Mostly, I wanted to touch her.

Knox had several less innocent ideas.

I stepped back.

“No.”

He growled.

Liam was right.

That was the worst part.

Every time Abby pulled away, I chased.

Every time I got afraid, I tightened my grip.

Then I apologized and expected that to somehow make the next mistake hurt less.

It didn’t.

If I wanted Abby to choose me, I had to give her enough room to do it.

I looked down once more.

She was smiling.

For now, that had to be enough.

I returned to the desk.

Nearly an hour passed.

Nothing.

Then Ryan’s voice entered my mind.

She left her room.

I was on my feet.

Where?

Servants’ corridor. East side.

Not the main stairs.

Alone?

Yes.

moved toward the door.

Anyone see her?

Not yet.

I took the private staircase/beside my office.

Ryan’s voice came again.

She’s wearing a hood.

My pace quickened.

Then another guard entered the link.

Alpha, there’s something else.

What?

A pause.