Page 138 of Devour

“I’ll check your pulse whenever I want.” She presses her lips to his jaw. “You don’t get to almost die on me and then expect me not to fuss.”

He tightens his arm around her. “You’re not getting rid of me that easy.”

Whitney shakes her head, but she’s pressing her face into his shoulder and I can see her trying not to cry again. Dane drops his chin and murmurs something against her hair that I can’t hear, and her hand fists in his hospital gown.

When Dane bought Whitney at auction a few years ago, I never expected them to be this much in love. It was a big deal in our world when he spent fifty million dollars to have her, and it’s obvious what they mean to each other.

That’s going to be Saylor and me in twenty years. I’d give my inheritance, my father’s business, our family’s entire fortune—all of it.

“Axl.” Dane’s eyes find mine over Whitney’s head. “Get over here, son.”

Whitney lifts her head. “Hi, sweetheart.” She gives me a warm look. “How is Saylor doing?”

“She’s going to make it.” That’s the only important thing. I’ll make sure she heals from the rest. I stop at the foot of his bed. “I should be able to take her home tomorrow.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” Dane nods his approval. “Sit down, Axl.” He nods toward the chair beside the bed. His voice is tired, but his eyes aren’t. “We need to talk.”

I pull the chair closer and sit on his right since Whitney is on his left. Whitney doesn’t move from his side, and he doesn’t ask her to. Whatever he’s about to say, she’ll hear it too.

“First, if you want to marry your girl,” Dane says, watching my face, “I can make that happen.”

“But we don’t know who Saylor’s guardian is now.” I’m assuming he’s been informed that David and Justin are dead.

“That doesn’t matter.” He waves his hand. “The Council has control over everything, Axl. Guardian approval is just a formality. If I bring it to the Council, it’s done.”

The Council are the puppet masters, and we’re all their puppets. So I’m fortunate to have Dane Sinclair on my side.

“You’ve been there for some of the best and worst things my family has faced.” His eyes don’t leave mine. “You and the others have put your lives on the line. The least I can do is make sure you get to keep the woman you love.”

Whitney pats his chest. “You’re such a big softie.”

“Kitten, you’re going to fucking pay for that.” Dane smacks her bottom and then focuses on me again. “But you have to wait until you get your brand. I can’t start breaking all the rules, or all the rituals will fall apart.”

That’s many months from now, but it’s the way it has to be. And she’s still mine. “I understand.”

It was always going to be that way. We both have to serve our year to earn our place within the Ravens.

“There’s something else I wanted to talk to you about.” Dane’s expression turns serious. “You’ve earned more than a brand, Axl.”

I don’t say anything. I don’t know what the fuck he means by that.

“When I’m back on my feet, you and I are going to have a conversation. You, me, your friends, and Cain.” He holds my gaze. He knows I’ll have a reaction to him mentioning Cain’s name. “It’ll be soon, when there are fewer ears around.”

Whitney’s hand stills on his chest, and she grins at me like she knows something I don’t.

“Alright.” I don’t push it, but there’s a question in my voice. We’ve always suspected there was something more to Cain, but we never knew what it was. Cain was a Talon too, and then he was gone.

“I have big plans for you and your friends.”

I’m not trying to vanish, so I don’t know what the fuck that means.

Whitney grins wider beside him, and Dane catches it. “Kitten, can’t you ever pretend like you don’t know all of my secrets?”

“I didn’t say a word.” She traces her finger across his chest. “I’m just lying here.”

He grabs her hand and holds it still, shaking his head at her. “Can I give you some advice?” Dane’s eyes come back to me. “About your girl.”

“Yeah.”