My dad’s truck wasn’t in the driveway when Gracie and I made it home. He’d been shit-faced when we left. There was no way he could have driven anywhere. Gran must’ve taken his truck.

I followed behind Gracie and Winston up the stairs and inside. I needed a glass of water to calm myself before I walked to Eli’s. My heart pounded in my throat at the thought of what I’d done. At the thought of what Eli might say to me.

God, it wasn’t even ten in the morning, and already this day had been hellacious.

Dad was still passed out on the couch when I stepped inside. No lights were on and neither was the TV. The only sound besides him snoring was the low hum of our AC unit in the living room window. I swore it was louder today than yesterday. The thing was defiantly on the fritz.

“I wish he’d at least make it to his bed when he passes out,” Gracie complained. “At least then I’d be able to watch TV without having to listen to him snore.”

“Just turn the volume up,” I said on my way to the kitchen. “I doubt he’s going to wake up from it.”

“I don’t like sitting in Gran’s recliner either. It doesn’t face the TV.”

“It does. What are you talking about?” I insisted as I pulled a glass from the cabinet near the sink. I filled it with tap water and took a sip.

“Not the way I like it.”

“Stop complaining.” I rolled my eyes and took another swig of my water before setting the glass in the sink. “I’ll be back later. I’m heading to Eli’s for a while.”

“Since you imprinted with him, all you do is hang out with him. You might as well move in with him.” The edge of bitterness reflected in her words caught me off guard. Was she upset I was leaving?

“Today is different. He has something special planned. I’ll be back for dinner, though.”

“Whatever. I guess I’ll see you later,” Gracie muttered as she positioned Winston in her lap.

Was it me or did Gracie not want me to leave? Did she actually want me to spend time with her? Why? I glanced at her, taking in her pouty expression. She looked pitiful. Maybe she didn’t want to be left alone with Dad while he was passed out. Or maybe she was lonely.

“Lie down,” she whispered to Winston. “I know you’re probably sore. Nobody likes getting shots. Let’s chill out and watch some TV.”

I leaned against the kitchen counter, listening to her whisper soothing words to Winston. She loved the little guy, and I loved her.

Eli could wait an hour. I wanted to spend time with my little sister.

“What are you watching?” I asked as I made my way to the living room, ready to sprawl out on the floor.

“I thought you were going to Eli’s,” she said in a nasally voice.

“I will. Later.” I situated myself on the floor. “First, I want to watch something with you.”

Gracie switched the TV on. “You won’t like what I’m watching.”

Aggravation rang through her words, but I ignored it knowing it was all for show. She wanted me here. Even if it was just to sit and watch a show with her.

“Try me.” I flashed her a grin as I folded my legs beneath me.

“I’m watching The Originals.”

I should’ve guessed she’d pick something paranormal.

“Okay, but you might have to explain a few things to me. It’s been a while since I sat through an episode with you.”

“Don’t ask too many questions. Just watch closely. You’ll be able to figure some of the stuff out on your own.”

I had no doubt. Characters died, were brought back to life, and then they died again. There was always a big evil running wild in New Orleans that was about to take them out. Out of all the shows Gracie watched, this was one of the better ones. There was something about the oldest vampire brother I liked. It ran deeper than his good looks. He was someone I could relate to. Always taking care of his family.

We made it through an entire episode before Gran came home. I said goodbye to Gracie, gave Winston a quick pat on the head, promised I’d be back with Eli at six o’clock for dinner, and then headed out the front door.

My insides buzzed. It had felt good to spend some time with Gracie. I needed to make a point to include her in my life more often. Our relationship needed to be stronger than it was.

It would be one day. I would see to it.

I walked to Eli’s without looking up from the gravel road. No one said a word to me. Not even the Bell sisters.

I gave a brief knock on the door before I stepped inside. Eli and I had long passed me waiting for him to let me in.

Dorian stood in the kitchen with Eli. How was he part of our special day?

“Hey,” I said, dragging the word out as I closed the front door behind me. The cool air inside felt good against my clammy skin. Usually I was okay with heat. Summer happened to be my favorite season, but this summer had been unusually hot. I was ready for fall. “What’s up?”

Eli’s eyes locked with mine. I spotted an apology already brewing in their bright green color.

“Not much. Dorian stopped by to go over the plan for tonight,” Eli said. I could tell from the way his neck muscles tensed Dorian’s presence was a surprise to him too.

I crammed my hands into the back pockets of my shorts and moved to where Eli stood. “Okay, that’s probably a good idea.”

It was. For as much as I didn’t want to talk about tonight, going into it blind wasn’t going to do anyone any good. Least of all me. We all needed to be on the same page so things went off without a hitch.

“Tate is with Peter now. He and I have already talked. He knows his part tonight,” Dorian insisted, switching into business mode. “Eli and I were hashing out some of the finer details.”

“Fill me in,” I said.

“Tate will be with Peter when the three of us get there later tonight. He knows to head to the side road where we parked Eli’s truck last time and keep it running,” Dorian said.

“He’s our getaway guy?” I asked. My lips curved into a smile at the thought.

“Precisely,” Dorian said. “Peter has been filled in on how the exchange is supposed to go. I’ll be watching from the woods, making sure everything happens as planned.”

I shifted around on my feet. “And, what about me? Am I supposed to be outside tied up or am I getting shoved in a cage?”

A shiver slipped down my spine at the thought of being trapped in a cage. So did being tied up, unable to defend myself. But if that was what I had to do to make everything seem authentic, I would.

“I hate to say it, but I think it would be best if you were in the cage,” Dorian answered. His words were soft, softer than I’d ever heard them before. He didn’t want me in a cage any more than I wanted it.

“I’ll be in the basement with you, though,” Eli insisted as he smoothed a hand along the small of my back. His touch was comforting, but it wasn’t enough to squash the nerves festering inside me. “Hidden. Dorian and I talked. We decided it would be best if I was somewhere close to you and Peter, that way I can make sure nothing goes wrong. Also, so you’re not alone.”

I wanted to thank him but didn’t want to seem weak. If I showed even the smallest amount of weakness, Eli wouldn’t let me go through with this.

“Sounds good,” I said with a nod. I thought about flashing a smile, but it wouldn’t form.

“As soon as Regina’s goons take you, Eli and I will bolt to where Tate is waiting with the truck running and follow. Once you’re inside wherever these assholes are keeping our pack members follow along with whatever they want. We’ll find a way to break in and get you out, as well as everyone else,” Dorian insisted. He said each word carefully, as though I were a small child.

I didn’t need his condescension. And I damn sure wasn’t planning on playing a damsel in distress. If I were going in there, I’d do my best to take the place down from the inside while they tried to figure out a way in.

None of those words leaked past my lips, though. Eli would have fought me on it. Dorian too. I wasn’t supposed to play hero, but what they seemed to forget was it was against my character not to.