Page 56 of Phantom’s Mate

“Nah,” he said. “I’m going to call the cavalry.”

Raising Jax’s radio into the air, he activated the locator beacon before he let it drop. His crew would find him soon.

Then he rose to his feet, and headed off to find Britt.

Chapter 26

When Nick got back to Britt’s place, it was no longer night there. Dark clouds still scudded overhead, but it was daylight and there was no rain.

He walked up the hill to the cabin. A porch swing had appeared on the porch, and Britt and DB were sitting on it drinking hot chocolate, their shoulders touching as if for comfort.

On the other side of Britt was a little stuffed Kraken. At least she wasn’t wearing him—that was progress.

The relief flooding through him stopped Nick in his tracks. She was still here. He hadn’t lost her.

She looked up at him, a question in her eyes.

“I bandaged him up and activated his locator beacon,” he said. “He’ll make it.”

Her smile lit up her whole face. “I’m glad.”

He said, with a trace of acid in his voice, “I didn’t know you were so fucking fond of Jax.”

“You know perfectly well it’s not about Jax.” Her smile grew deeper. “I’m so proud of you.”

Nick felt that place in his chest where their bond lived open up like a sunflower, and an answering smile found its way to his face.

DB got up, letting his cup of hot chocolate vanish. “That’s my cue to leave,” he said. “Before the mushiness and the boinking start.”

Nick didn’t object; he was hoping there would be both. “Thanks for everything, Dragon Boy. We owe you.”

“Yeah, whatever. Call me if you want me to save the day again.”

Britt got up, leaning in to plant a kiss on DB’s cheek. “Thank you for waiting with me,” she said. “Drop in anytime. Next time I’ll make ice cream.”

A faint blush spread across his cheekbones as he opened a magic doorway. “Later,” he said, stepping through.

Sheeyit. The kid had a crush on Britt.

Nick and Britt stood there for a moment, just looking at each other. Then they both moved at once. Britt threw herself into his arms, holding him tight. The warmth of their bond spread through him. This was heaven; this was home.

“I love you so much,” she whispered, between kisses.

“I love you too.” More than he could ever, ever tell her. Or ever would, because if she understood what the bond meant to him—and what it would mean when she left—she would never be able to enjoy the afterlife she deserved.

They went back to the porch swing and she curled up in the circle of his arm, her knees resting on his thigh. He picked up Baby Kraken.

“I thought once you got rid of the suit, you’d never want to see this guy again.”

“Yeah, well, maybe I’ve gotten kind of fond of him.” She took the stuffed toy and waved one of his tentacles at Nick. “And he reminds me how far I’ve come.”

“But you’re not there yet,” Nick said. “We still have to find your sister so you can leave here for good.”

He kissed her, and then kissed her again because why not? Her kisses were the sweetest, hottest thing in all the worlds.

When he finally pulled his lips from hers, he said, “What I want to know is, how did you leave here at all, without DB? How did you find me at the compound?”

“I followed this.” She put her hand flat on her chest, over her heart. “Our connection. And it led me here.” She transferred her hand to his chest, right over that ball of light and love and goodness that was the place she lived inside him.