An hour and fifteen minutes later, all our bellies were full on a meal, free courtesy of Ezra’s power, and we were back on the road. Clyde had been in Ezra’s duffle the whole time during the meal, so he was thrilled to be out of its confines, both he and Bonnie lying in the back on all of our duffles. Ezra had growled a little at Antonio and Cahal when they both wanted to ride shotgun, so he was sitting next to me while they sat on the back seat griping about our music choices.

Ezra leaned over, nibbling at my neck while I drove, murmuring, “Dumping them somewhere is sounding excellent.” His lips lifted against my neck, purring, “Then we could have the whole back seat to ourselves.”

“Stop it,” I whispered, blushing and pushing at his shoulder, which didn’t help.

Cahal groaned behind us, and it sounded like he started moving around. “Please tell me this back seat hasn’t been used for that.”

Ezra’s chuckle rumbled throughout the SUV. “We’ve only been back there once.” His hand started roaming up my thigh, and I quickly swatted at it, my flush flaming high, knowing he was talking about the time he had drunk off me in King Hall’s parking lot. “I wouldn’t mind a longer, and more thorough, session, though.”

Ezra’s face jerked against my neck when Antonio smacked the back of his head. “Quit groping her in front of me.” He sounded ticked off. “She may be grown, but there are still some things I don’t enjoy seeing happen to my baby girl.”

I pushed at Ezra’s shoulder again.

He assented after raking his fangs against my neck once, settling back into his seat and mumbling over his shoulder, “Thanks for letting him hit me, Dad.”

Cahal grunted. “You deserved it.”

I squinted. “Oh, my God.” I bit my lip, glancing at Ezra. “Is that who I think it is?”

Ezra’s mien instantly changed from lazy playboy to alert Vampire, scanning the area. He squinted like I had, then rested an elbow on the console, covering his mouth. “Incredible.”

“What is it?” Antonio asked instantly, leaning forward. “I can’t see shit back here.”

Dry words from Cahal. “It’s my mate.”

“What?” Antonio asked, incredulous.

I started slowing for the hitchhiker — Vivian — on the side of the road, standing next to a POS car with its hood up. “You told her where we were, Elder Zeller?” I knew Ezra hadn’t since he hadn’t been able to get in an intelligent word.

“It may have slipped,” he muttered, head in his hands. “I didn’t expect her to do this.”

Dry words from the son. “It’s Mom. Of course she would do this.”

Like, risk her damn life to tag along and make sure her son and mate were alright. “Jesus.” Sighing heavily, I muttered in defeat, “You two had better make room back there.” I stopped my Hummer behind the pseudo broken-down car, her expression not one of surprise at seeing us, peering at Ezra. “You’d better behave if you don’t want your mom knowing about us.”

The back door opened just as Ezra’s face fell into his hand, his mom asking instantly, “Know what about you two?”

One green eye opened to glare at me between his spread fingers. “Vampire, sweetheart.”

I bit my lip and turned my attention forward as Vivian threw her bag in the back, Clyde and Bonnie growling, and made herself fit in the back seat with Cahal and Antonio. Hell, no one even asked her what the fuck she was doing here with only a shawl over her head as a disguise, she was that damn scary. She waited until she closed the door to ask again, “Ezra, dear, what don’t you want me to know about you two?”

My lip was damn near bleeding I was biting it so hard, and I quickly busied myself with getting us back on the road.

Ezra growled quietly, tugging on one of my pigtails. “Coward.”

“Yep.” Where his parents were involved in our love affair, that answer was definitely yes.

A beat, then he sighed, saying, “Stop the car.”

I exhaled profoundly myself, and then decided that pulling over was probably the best course of action, just in case she tried to attack me once he told her. Again, I stopped on the side of the road, maybe twenty yards ahead of where I had initially pulled over. I parked it, then took my seatbelt off and turned on my seat.

Ezra stated to Vivian, “This, Mom.” He blurred, leaning over the console, and his lips were suddenly on mine. A tiny squeak was all I was capable of before I sighed, sinking against him when he gently cupped my cheeks, softly caressing my lips with his. As far as kisses went, it was fairly chaste, but it still felt like heaven as our lips molded to each other’s.

The deep rumble of a throat clearing broke us apart, and then Antonio groused, “If your lips hadn’t been attached to hers, I would have hit you again.” He pointed an aggravated finger at Ezra’s grinning face. “I saw enough in my damn office to blind me.” His finger punctuated each word. “Quit. Groping. Her. In. Front. Of. Me.”

Ezra’s cocky, self-assured grin — a daring expression — didn’t change as he lightly ran his hand up and down my throat in clear ownership.

Antonio growled, then glared at Cahal, saying, “Get control of your son before I hurt him.” And…it didn’t sound like an idle threat, either.

Before this went any further, I whispered, “Ezra, stop it.” I patted his chest lightly, then pushed more firmly. “Or you’re going to sit in the back.”

Ezra’s eyes slammed to mine, narrowing. “You can’t be serious.”

My own gaze narrowed as I placed a hand at his throat, since he hadn’t removed his. “I am if you start a fight in my car.” I felt him swallow slowly against my palm, the action easy since neither of us were squeezing, even as his eyes flared at my simple threat. My eyebrows rose. “Just stop, alright?” This was turning into a battle of alpha wills real quick. I knew how to deal with those easily enough. “If you do, I’ll let you sleep in bed with me tonight.”

Never ignorant, he stilled, and gently he asked, “Where else would I be sleeping?”

Easy. “On the couch.”

His Vampire growled deeply, sounding furious.

My gaze didn’t waver. “Your choice. This may be a long trip and everyone needs to get along.”

At least a full minute passed as his Vampire continued to growl, no one in the back seat moving — or breathing from the sound of it — as we stared each other down. My own wolf wanted to growl right back, jumping at the challenge, but I pushed back at her. My words had been my growl, and adding anything else to this would only escalate it. Little by little, Ezra leaned forward, his eyes glowing a bit, and his face hovered right in front of mine before he nipped my lip, hard enough for me to know he wasn’t pleased…then he released my throat without another word and moved back into his own seat, my hand sliding from his own throat.

My lips lifted a little. “Thank you.” I leaned over when he flicked me a glare, and I kissed his cheek, earning a rumbling huff from his Vampire that was damn adorable, before settling into my seat and back against my door, hand on the door handle. My gaze met Vivian’s mouth — where her fangs would come from. “Any questions?”

Her head cocked. “No.” A long pause. “Not right now.” One side of her lips lifted into a grin, showing me one of her fangs, which were descended. “But I would love to hear more about you.” Her finger flicked at Antonio. “And not from him this time.”

Perfect.

Not only was I going to have to sleep with one eye open from the looks of it, I was now going to have to remember my life’s story — the completely fabricated one. And sell it. I nodded, not flinching, and turned back around in my seat, murmuring, “Everyone, buckle up.” While they grumbled because they were crammed in, doing as told, I stared out the window, quickly recalling everything Antonio had said that day at lunch. Even though I knew Ezra was ticked off, I placed my hand in his as I pulled the Hummer back onto the road and began telling his parents lie after lie about a life I had never lived, thankful they weren’t Shifters.

“Lily!” Ezra barked loudly.

My eyes jolted open as my hands fisted on the steering wheel. “Shit.” I jerked the wheel to the right, getting back into the correct lane. “Sorry, sorry.” I rubbed my eyes swiftly, squinting into the dark night.

Ezra’s hand was instantly on the back of my neck, massaging my tight muscles. “Sweetheart, it’s time to find a hotel if you’re not going to let me drive.”

“Yes, please do so, before you kill us all,” Vivian murmured dryly, releasing her grip from Ezra’s headrest in front of her. “I do realize Ezra’s driving history has scared you from letting him behind the wheel, but in his defense, he never once fell asleep while driving.”

Again, I mumbled, “Sorry.” And yeah, it was a little growly, a smidge grumpy. “Antonio, how far until the next town?” Hell, I wasn’t even sure what state we were in any longer, my mind half dumb with exhaustion.

“I can’t navigate for you,” Antonio stated, patting my shoulder. “The Elder’s only here to watch out for your safety while you’re searching for the Prodigy.”

Through a yawn, I said, “Ezra?”

“Oh sure, you’ll trust me to navigate…but not drive?”

I growled a little. “Dammit, I’m too tired to fight right now.” My grin was feral. “Or I could pull over on the side of the road and shift. I wouldn’t mind sleeping out there in the trees. How about you?” Yeah, it was a little mean.

“Remind me again why you’re in love with her?” Cahal drawled, cracking his neck.

“Fuck off, Dad,” Ezra muttered. “She’s grumpy at night when she’s tired and I’m grumpy in the morning when I’m tired.” He pulled the atlas out from between the seats — the navigation system had long ago been disconnected by a spell — and kissed my cheek. When I growled a little, feeling irritated and also a little mollified, he chuckled, “It’s a fair trade.”

“If you say so,” Cahal muttered, not sounding convinced.

Vivian hummed, “The hell with fair. I’d run if I were either of them.”

Antonio muttered, “It’s like they turn into poltergeist when they’re tired.”

All three hummed in mutual agreement behind Ezra and me.

“I would rather not hear another word from the damn peanut gallery right now.” I growled low, my eyes flashing. I swerved the SUV back and forth in quick jerks, making everyone in the back seat grunt as they repeatedly smacked into each other in their closed-in state. “Or I’ll do this all the way there.” I swerved a few more times for good measure.

Ezra lowered his hand from the ‘Oh, shit’ handle when I drove normally again, chuckling quietly when not one peep came from the back seat. “God, I love your ass.”

“Whatever,” I grumped, turning the radio up to loud and the air-conditioning to full blast. “Just find me a damn town with hotels to choose from.”

Twenty minutes later we turned off a ramp, and I headed for the first shithole I could find. When Cahal and Vivian started to argue, pointing at the finer establishments, I jerked the car back and forth again, then relented when they shut up, explaining, “Those places have cameras all over them. If you want to do anything Mystical — like Ezra drinking — and have no problem being caught on film, I’ll let you out over there, otherwise, we’re sleeping where I pick.” They stayed mute. “Silence is mother-fucking-sweet.”

Ezra grunted.

When I stopped the SUV in front of the lobby, I leaned over, opening the glove compartment. Fiddling with the top section of it, I found the groove I had put there last year, and gave it a good jerk. My secret compartment opened, and the contents almost spilled out onto the floor, but Ezra leaned over, quickly helping me, and rumbled, “What the fuck is this?”

“It’s safety,” I muttered. “And besides, you can’t go in there flashing everyone because even a dump like this has cameras in the lobby, so I’ll have to take care of it.” I shuffled through a few IDs until I found one with a picture of me with brown hair. The coloring wasn’t perfect, but it would do. When Ezra grabbed the rest from my hand, rifling through them, getting more pissed with each one he flicked past, I decided this argument could wait until later and quickly lifted one of the small rolls of cash he had sat on his lap. “I’ll be back. Everyone, stay put.”

And…I should have known Ezra wouldn’t listen. Before I had even opened the lobby door, he was directly beside me. I took a calming breath, not wanting to argue with him right now, with the person behind the counter in full view. Ezra opened the door for me, placing a possessive hand at the small of my back as we walked inside. The place smelled like cat piss — somehow that was what these places always smelled of — but the clerk was friendly enough for the midnight shift.

Well, until her expression turned apologetic as she informed us they only had one room left. Apparently a classic car show was in town, which did explain the parking lot filled with antique crap-mobiles, but still…that just sucked. Then the clerk cheerfully told us the room had two double beds. As if that made it any better with the group traveling with us.

After paying for our one room — lovely — we piled back into the Hummer, and I had to listen to Cahal state, “Those were a lot of IDs and cash, and your evasive skill set is impressive. One would think you’re prepared like someone who has done something wrong.”

I snorted, too tired to be freaked by his comment. “Or, one might think I was preparing to survive.” I paused. “You’ve evidently forgotten who raised me.”

Cahal grunted. “Oh, no. You two are too much alike for me to forget that.”

Ezra grunted, done putting my stash back in its hiding place as I pulled into a parking spot, and mumbled, “By the way, we’re all sharing a room.” Everyone groaned from the back seat, his redirection working perfectly. “And since Lily paid, we’re getting one of the two beds.”

I handed the key to Antonio when everyone got out, instantly stretching from the long drive, and said, “We’ll be up in a minute.” I didn’t need to have a Vampire’s senses to know Ezra was still angry. “It’s room two-three-seven.”

He nodded, patting my shoulder. “Have fun with that.” He knew Ezra was pissed, too.

I snorted and then popped my back, watching as Bonnie and Clyde jumped from the back of the SUV, still appearing in their poodle form, as everyone grabbed their duffle from the back. Ezra had our two over each of his shoulders as he leaned back against the SUV, lighting a cigarette, his eyes steadfast on me. When the others were inside the building, and I could see them through the glass door stepping into an elevator, I whispered quietly, “I’m always going to be prepared, Ezra.”

My gaze met his. “After I asked him to, Antonio worked those IDs up for me before we did the Awakenings. I never planned to run from you or Jack or Pearl. I’m not planning to now, nor will I ever run from you. But I will always be prepared as long as what I am is a death sentence.”

Ezra took a long pull off his cigarette. Silent. Eyes slowly roaming my face, he finally spoke. “What else haven’t you told me?”

My lips pinched. “Ezra, don’t ask this.”

“Tell me.” Simple, quiet words before he took another drag of his cigarette.

I inhaled deeply through my nose, then out calmly through my mouth. “Some of this was done when my mother was alive, some I did when I moved in with Elder Kincaid, and the rest was done when Antonio resurfaced in my life.” I inhaled again, then spoke on the exhale, “I own five different homes all over the world under different names, most of them spelled so other Mysticals can’t find them. I have safety deposit boxes in all five of those locations, containing a variety of visas, all aliases, and cash. I have a highly spelled PO Box in New York where I keep all of my important mail. I’ve strategically placed three trucks throughout the United States in long-term parking garages in case I ever need another vehicle in this country, not counting the ones I have at my other homes. And all of my money is spread in different banking establishments under those aliases, and a few others, worldwide.” I placed my hands in my pockets. “And after saying all that, I promise I’ll never run from you, but if I have to survive, whether you go with me or not, I’m prepared.”

Ezra appeared made of stone, he was so still. “If that’s true, then why haven’t you ever told me any of this?”

“Sometimes, it’s best for the ones you love not to know.” I firmly believed that.

His nostrils flared, and he jerked his head away, and very damn slowly, he stated, “I do understand that reasoning. My dad has taught me many ways to retrieve information from others. Most of the methods cruel.” Again he sucked in a deep breath, his jaw clenched, still speaking as if he was deliberately and carefully choosing each word before voicing it. “But I’m still pissed, so it would be best if you walked away right now before I start yelling at you for keeping this from me.” His eyes flashed bright green, lighting the area where he was staring as his control faltered. “Because it’s fucking me, sweetheart. Me, you kept this information from.” His Vampire growled. “Go.”

I waited one more moment to explain, “Please understand, I didn’t want it to get to the point where only someone as strong as you could keep the information quiet.” Rubbing my face when he didn’t say anything, I turned and walked inside, Bonnie following me, giving him the space he needed. I know it hurt him, but I had been protecting him, so that in the beginning if he was ever questioned, his answers would be simply the truth, any inquiry stopping there…but at the same time — in his mind — it was me deciding that he could be broken for the information. Honestly, I didn’t think he could be broken. He was the type of individual who would kill himself before he would harm someone he loved, but I hadn’t wanted it to get to that point. An easy ‘no’ would be better than torture.

Vivian let me into the room, instantly scanning the hallway behind me. “Where’s Ezra?”

“He’ll be up in a few,” I murmured, slipping past her into the craphole of a room, feeling wrecked for upsetting him.

Vivian slammed the door shut and blurred so she was directly in front of me. “I don’t trust you.” Her fangs bared as she scanned my person. “And if you ever hurt my son—”

A quick finger over her lips shut her up, Antonio and Cahal both silently watching. My wolf growled. I was tired, upset, and very thirsty. And not in the mood for this bullshit. “Think before you threaten me in front of witnesses.” My eyes glowed softly, unable to control it. “And yes, I know. If I ever break your son’s heart, you’ll kill me.” I bowed my head slightly, but didn’t take my eyes off her. “And if I ever do, I’ll give you a fair fight.” Deliberately, I took my finger away from her mouth. “But don’t ever threaten me in front of others.” I lifted my hand, showing her my Ruler’s ring, my smile full of self-condescension. “After all, I am Queen Ruckler now.”

She swallowed, closing her mouth, but damn, what a woman she was as she still looked down her nose at me. “Don’t hurt him.”

I chuckled, moving past her again. “Mrs Zeller, I love your son, and I don’t intentionally hurt those I love.”

“Intentionally?”

I flopped down on the bed next to Antonio where he lay on the edge of the one closest to the door. “Shit does happen.” I peeked at her from under my arm, my eyes still glowing I was so out of sorts. “I don’t know how much Elder Zeller has filled you in, but Ezra was the father of my twins. They died. He and I were both hurt by this. Their death wasn’t intentional.” I placed my arm back over my face, seeing the shock on hers, knowing Cahal hadn’t told her that little tidbit of information. “But, like I said, shit does happen.” Understatement.

There was a heartbeat of silence, then Antonio stated, “You should probably go to sleep, Lil.”

“Yeah,” I muttered, knowing that was the truth, before I said anything else I couldn’t take back, but I was beginning to feel a little delirious, and starting to worry. I rubbed my face hard, then, with a shove, I literally flew off the bed, landing directly in front of the window. I pushed the curtain back, scanning the parking lot. And saw Ezra, walking from the SUV to the door, Clyde following. Turning, I muttered, “I’ll be back.”

I stomped out of the room. I couldn’t sleep without him. I needed him next to me, his warmth and his breathing and his scent surrounding me. I ran to the elevators and paced back and forth in front of them. He was what I wanted. What I needed.

Hearing the elevator ding, the doors opening, I launched myself at him as soon as he stepped out. Even hindered with the bags he was carrying, he didn’t wobble, one arm wrapping around my waist, the other threading into my hair, keeping my face close to his neck. Clinging to him like a monkey, I tightened my legs around his waist and hugged his throat tight, scenting him deeply. My wolf huffed in contentment, settling down just as I did, sighing heavily. “I’m sorry, baby. I just wanted to protect you, but I’ll write everything down. All of it. Promise.”

“Hush, sweetheart, I know,” he whispered, running his hand up and down my back, soothing me with the repetitive motion. He began walking. “I’m not mad anymore.” A pause. “But I would like that list.”

I yawned against his neck. “And you’ll have it tomorrow.” I snuggled into his embrace, sighing as his very being calmed me. “I love you, baby.” My eyes closed, and I felt myself going limp in his hold, complete exhaustion flooding my system.

“I love you, too,” he whispered, tightening his hold.

Time must have passed because when I next I opened my eyes, I was sitting on the countertop in the bathroom of our room as Ezra held me while changing my clothes, and I mumbled, “Feet cold. Leave…socks.” My eyes closed again at the sound of his rumbling chuckle.

I blinked again when my head hit a pillow, staring up into green. “Come to bed.”

“In a minute,” he whispered, kissing my nose, and then moving away.

I growled a little, closing my eyes, and rolled…into a warm body. I sniffed. “Antonio, what the hell are you doing in our bed?”

“It was either you two…or them.” He patted my head. “And I chose you two.”

I growled, “Floor.” Never mind how I snuggled against his familiar warmth.

“Showing the love there, Lil.” He snorted. “Bonnie and Clyde won’t even sleep on this floor.”

Eyes still closed, I patted the bed behind me drunkenly. When I found nothing there, I whined loudly, “Ezra!” My wolf growled. “Ezra, it’s been a minute!”

“Dear, get out of the bathroom so we can all go to sleep!” Vivian called loudly.

“Hold on, goddamn it,” I heard Ezra gripe from the bathroom, and my wolf huffed in contentment hearing his growly voice. Twenty seconds later, I felt a rush of wind, then warm arms were circling me, pulling me away from Antonio and lying me almost completely on top of his warm, half-bare body. Feeling him adjust the blankets around us, I sighed happily, whispering, “Better.”

“Much,” he murmured, kissing the top of my head. “Goodnight, sweetheart.”

I yawned, his scent seeping into my pores. “‘Night, baby.”