Chapter 308 - Baby, lets get away (1/2)

The faint ring of a phone woke Jos and Arei from a peaceful sleep. Arei stretched his free arm to the phone laying on the nightstand as his other cupped Jos's shoulder, holding her against his side. ”Hello?” He answered.

[Marcus has escaped. Keep your guard up, he could very well be coming for Jos again... and this time he has nothing else to lose... It could make him unpredictable and dangerous.]

Arei's eyes reflected their worry as he found Jos's bright aqua eyes in the darkness of their bedroom. ”Does Peg have any lead as to where he went?”

Ry let out a heavy sigh. [Not yet. Whoever helped him escape hid their tracks as well as his. It almost had to be an inside job.]

Jos rolled to her side to get out of the bed, her thoughts automatically going to Shelly and the baby downstairs.

”Are you sure? I mean the vampires were able to get in to ȧssassinate the woman who rolled on them.” Arei's grip on Jos involuntarily tightened as she shifted to set up.

[I'm sure, man. Security was tightened after all that.]

”Alright... Keep me updated.” Arei said before hanging up the phone and turning his attention back to Jos. ”I'd prefer if you didn't leave my side until this is figured out.”

Jos frowned. ”I was just going to go down and let Shelly and Rin know what was going on. They live here and are in equal danger... especially if someone is after me...”

Arei nodded as he released her and shifted out of the bed on the other side. ”You're right, they should know... But it doesn't change the fact that I don't want you out of my sight right now. You're too reckless with your own life when you're trying to save others.”

Her frown deepened as she tugged on her robe. ”You make that sound like a bad thing...”

He arched a brow at her as he rounded the bed. ”It is... excruciatingly so for those of us who love you most.” He caught her arms and pulled her against his bȧrė ċhėst. His eyes held hers, worry engraved in their depths. ”I know I'm overbearing when your safety is on the line, but I can't... I won't change it. I'd rather you be irritated with me than to see any harm come to you. I love you too much to even think about the possibility of losing you again so soon.”

”And I feel the same way about Shelly... and now baby Cam... I will do everything I can to make sure they are safe.” She pressed against his ċhėst as she moved to turn, but his grip tightened.

”I love them too, Jos, but Marcus isn't after them... he's after you. Trust me to keep you safe as well as them. We'll go down and tell Rin. They are his family now. It will be his decision how he decided to protect them.” He let out a heavy sigh as he moved his grip to her hand and guided her toward the bedroom door. ”Unfortunately, that will probably involve taking them away from here... And I can't blame him.”

Jos's brows furrowed as they made their way down the stairs. ”Maybe... maybe not... He wasn't able to protect her last time... or himself...”

Arei frowned as he pulled her to a stop halfway down the stairs. He cupped her face as she searched their depth, hoping to catch the second full meaning of his next words registered. ”Sometimes the greatest powers can be that person's greatest weakness as well. It's easy to become too reliant on a power or ability. It causes us to become careless... until the unexpected happens... I promise you he'll not make the same mistakes a second time. I've watched him during training these past several weeks. He doesn't use any magical abilities and is still quite powerful. Trust him to protect that which is dearest to him with just as much determination as you or I would protect that which is dearest to use.”

”What are you two doing up this time of night?” Rin asked as he made his way out of the bedroom.

Jos tilted her head. ”What are you doing up?”

Rin lifted a bottle. ”Refill. Shell's asleep so I figured I'd just heat up some of the milk she pumped earlier.”

Jos giggled. ”She'll probably be awake before you get back with that. A mother will always know when her baby is hungry.”

He shrugged. ”Maybe... but figured I might as well try. Couldn't sleep anyhow.”

Jos frowned as she and Arei followed him into the kitchen. ”Then what we have to tell you will not be doing you any favors tonight...”

He grunted as he pulled open the fridge. ”I already know... You don't have to go into details. Russ texted me...”

Jos let out a sigh. ”So, what do you plan to do? Will you stay here?”

He shook his head as he popped the milk into the microwave. ”No... Though I'm sure Shelly will be pissed about that. You understand though...”

Jos nodded as her gaze moved to her hands that were fidgeting with the robe tie. ”You're not wrong to want to leave... I wish there was another way... but...” She risked a glance up at him. ”Wh...where will you go?”

Rin let out a heavy sigh as he shook the bottle and tested the temperature on the back of his hand. ”Mom and dad's... They have reinforced the wards around the palace... besides it's about time we go back. I don't want to keep the baby away from mom. She misses Shelly like crazy too. She's set up an entirely different wing for us, so hopefully, it will be easier...” His gaze lifted to hers. ”You know you're more than welcome there as well. You would be protected.”

Jos frowned as she nodded. ”Thank you, but I can't leave the island unprotected. Even if I'm not here, there's still a chance the island would be attacked and the people harmed.” She sent him a weak smile. ”Take care of Shelly and the baby... and... and please come back once this is over...”

”Come back? Who says I'm going anywhere?” Shelly said sleepily. The baby's feet were sticking out from under a blanket thrown over her shoulder and his head. She was obviously brėȧstfeeding.