Chapter 883 Chapter 883
Foster was relieved when they reached the road the house was on. The drive back had been tense with very few words. Ena had asked two questions about things the Alliance would help her clan with. Other than that, he spent a lot of time glancing at her. He had things to say, but the words he meant to speak evaporated on his tongue before he could voice them.
It had been his idea to put the discovery of mates on hold and focus on Waylon’s place first, and all he wanted to do now was talk about being mates. He wanted to ask her if she was happy it was him, if she was surprised or even disappointed. He didn’t know why he was suddenly in need of reassurance and acceptance, but it was stuck at the front of his mind and wouldn’t go away. His animal was strangely without opinion, and that was also throwing him off.
Seeing two more vehicles in the driveway brought him relief. There would be too much to do to pause and seek acceptance.
“More cars,” Ena said softly.
Foster nodded and began to back the van in behind Gia’s ride. “I guess the others are here.”
“So, we’ll be going to get Orson soon?”
Putting it into park, he shut it off. ‘We’ll go see what they’ve planned while we were gone.” His coyote stirred and Foster could feel the concern.
Ena turned and looked at him, and he could see fear in her eyes.
“What is it?”
“Everything will be all right, won’t it?” She sucked in a breath. “When they go get him out.”
Foster felt like a bottom feeder. He’d been preoccupied with selfish thoughts of being accepted, and her whole world was currently torn apart. He reached over and took her hand and squeezed it gently. “These guys are good. It’s going to be fine.” He hoped he wasn’t lying to her.
She exhaled and took a shaky breath before nodding. “Okay. I just don’t want to have to tell my aunt something went wrong.”
His animal chose then to assert his wishes. He wanted Foster to hug her and make her feel better. Right now, he was in agreement with him. “Listen…”
Someone smacked the window, and both of them jumped. Foster looked to see Luka smiling at him. Opening the door, he blew out a breath. “I think my soul just left my body.”
Luka shrugged. “I just wanted to make sure you were awake.”
“We’re awake.” He glanced to see Ena’s eyes were rounded. “I was just telling Ena that her worry about getting her clansman out safely was needless because you guys wouldn’t have any issues.” He glared at him and hoped he reiterated what he was saying. He’d had Luka for an armed escort during a few long transports, and they’d gotten to know each other pretty well during that time.
Luka nodded and then looked around him at Ena. “Sorry if I startled you. Things will go smoothly.” He smiled and then patted his chest. “I’m Luka.”
Foster thought that was a caveman kind of introduction.
“Everything good out here?”
Foster turned to see Deacon standing by the door.
“Just chatting.” Luka stepped back so Foster would get out.
He looked in and gave Ena what he hoped was an encouraging look. “Let’s go see when we go get Orson.”
She exhaled, and he saw her shoulders drop. With a nod, she got out.
Before they took two steps, lights suddenly illuminated the driveway. Foster glanced at Luka. “Is that…”
Luka gave Foster a shove toward Ena. “Everyone is here.”
Foster turned to see Deacon at the door with his gun in his hand.
“What’s…”
Foster grabbed Ena’s elbow and pushed her behind him. He had no weapon to draw, but at least he could block anyone from seeing her. He felt her fingers dig into his hip as she stood close to him.
The passenger door of the vehicle opened, and a man got out. Foster couldn’t see because of the lights in his eyes.
“If you shoot me, I’m going to stab you in the heart, Luka.”
Luka lowered the gun. “What are you doing here?”
Deacon came down the driveway. His gun was not lowered.
The driver’s door opened, and a taller man got out.
Deacon lowered the gun. “Walker? What are you and Nox doing here?”
The lights of the vehicle turned off.
“Good to see you too, brother-in-law.” Walker looked around. “Is Gia hiding somewhere with a gun aimed at me too?”
“Walker.” Gia came out of the house and started toward them. “Nox? Why are you here?”
Nox closed the door and looked at her. “Wynter is still pissed at me for the Journey thing, so I’m his babysitter.” He jerked his thumb in Walker’s direction.
“Bodyguard,” Walker said with a bored look.
“Babysitter.” Nox looked at Foster and nodded in greeting.
“Are you here to talk to Ena?” Gia went over, gave Walker a brief hug, and then stepped back.
“He heard Devin and Raymond discussing if there were enough here to get the job done and decided we were coming to help.”
Deacon’s brows drew together. “I don’t think it’s a good idea for the new rogue liaison to be in on an op.”
Walker shrugged. “I can handle a rifle adequately.” He looked at Nox. “I can be a spotter.”
Luka and Deacon both looked at Nox.
“I brought my gear.”
“All right then.” Luka went over and slapped his hand on the hood of their SUV. “The more the merrier. Come in. We just firmed up an action plan.”
Foster looked at Ena. He wasn’t sure if her expression was one of surprise or satisfaction. To be honest, he himself wasn’t sure if he knew what he felt about Gia’s brothers being here either.
Gia smiled at Ena. “Madison wanted to talk to you before we go.”
Ena nodded and turned to go into the house.
Foster caught the look of wariness on Gia’s face and hurried to walk beside her. “Is Nox here good or bad?”
She looked at him. ‘I’m just wondering what they were thinking putting Nox with the man that’s going to be working with rogues and likely shifters that aren’t pure.” She rolled her eyes.
“Oh.” Foster watched Nox go inside. “Maybe they were thinking it might teach him some humility.”
She snorted. “Good luck with that.” She paused beside the door. “Is everything all right with you and Ena?”
It was his turn to snort. “I think so.” He shook his head. “I have no idea.”
“There’s a lot going on right now in her world…”
He nodded. “I know. I just—I told her we’d put it on hold until we get Orson back, but all I want to do is talk to her about it.” He left out the hugging part and the fact that her golden hair had so many colors in it that he had no idea how it looked golden. It dawned on him that his was exactly the same.
Gia smiled at him. “Let’s get this done and then the two of you can spend a bit of time together.”
He nodded because if he spoke, he was going to say that’s all he wanted to do, but it terrified him that he did.