Wicked and True (Wicked & Devoted 4)

God, could everyone tell his heart was breaking?

“The baby is asleep. Don’t expect her to wake for a few hours. Make yourself at home and wait to hear her. Call Trees if you need anything. Otherwise…we’ll stay in touch.”

“Yeah, okay. I don’t have a problem with that, but maybe someone else should do this. You’re upset.”

Fuck, why couldn’t he have fallen in love with Madison? She didn’t excite him…but she would never have betrayed him. Maybe the trade-off would have been worth it.

Then again, he’d always been a rebel. It stood to reason that his heart—like the rest of him—would do exactly what it wanted. And it only wanted Tessa.

“This is my job. I need to do it. Will you be okay here?”

“Yeah. Of course. If anything happens, my dad is just down the road.” She reached out hesitantly, cupping his arm so gently he almost didn’t feel it. “And whatever happened in the past, I’m your friend, too. If you ever want to talk…”

She meant well, but his insides curdled at her pity. “I appreciate that. It’s months too late, but I want you to know I’m sorry for the way I acted when we first met. I shouldn’t have used you.”

“Zy, I knew how it would end before it even began. And I was okay with that because I knew you would make me feel good. The pleasure was worth the pain.”

But she shouldn’t have to settle for that. She deserved someone who appreciated all of her, especially her heart. “I hope you find what you’re looking for.”

“I will. Someday. And before you warn me, I know Trees won’t give me what I want, either. But he seems like someone who needs friendship and comfort. I just want to help.”

Even at her own expense? Madison was more selfless than he’d ever been, and some lucky man smarter than him would scoop her up someday…

He brushed a kiss across her cheek. “Find someone who treats you like a queen and knows you deserve the world.”

She pulled away with a smile. “I’m looking for him all the time. He’s around…somewhere. In the meantime, do what you need to. I’ve got things here.”

“Stay on the porch until I pull away with Tessa.” If she fought, Madison might not be prepared to see him forcibly drag the woman from her house. “Then head in, lock the door behind you, and holler if anything comes up.”

“Sure.”

“Thanks.”

He slipped back into the house. Tessa still slept, unmoving, on the sofa. He debated how to proceed. Best-case scenario? She wouldn’t wake up until he had her all locked up and tied down at Trees’s place. There would be no escape then. Worst case, she would scream like a banshee the instant he reached for her.

He’d do himself a favor and prepare for that.

Zy plucked her car keys off the end table and pocketed them, swiped her phone from her purse, and opened every door between the living room and the passenger’s door of the sedan. Then, mood grim, he headed straight for Tessa.

When he fitted his arms under her, she barely stirred. He scooped her up against his chest, and her breathing barely changed. Her head rolled to his shoulder and she settled against him with a sigh, as if, when she was most vulnerable, she trusted him.

The thought skewered his heart.

Finally, he settled her in the passenger’s seat, tucking the blanket securely around her before cuffing her wrist to the door and gently shutting it. Still, she didn’t flinch, blink, or wake.

Zy scowled. It was unlike her to sleep like the dead, but he couldn’t afford the time or mental energy to care why except that the extraction had gone off without a hitch…

Finally, he nudged the door between the kitchen and the garage shut, then hopped into the car. Tessa didn’t stir at the beeping of the open door, nor when he started the car. She really must be exhausted…

He backed out of the driveway, shutting the garage door with the remote, then waved at Madison as he took off down the street. He craned his head until he watched her walk inside Tessa’s duplex. Hallie would be fine now. She’d be in good hands.

But that left him alone with Tessa.

He hooked his phone back up to his earbuds and dialed Trees, who picked up on the first ring. “You out?”

“Yeah.”

“And you got her, no problem?”

“Yeah.” Zy looked over at Tessa, still peacefully sleeping. “You’ll see when I get there.”

“Sounds good. Laila finally gave out and fell asleep a half hour ago, when I left to prep the bunker.”

“She needs it.” And wasn’t it horrible that the poor woman felt safer alone than anywhere near a man?

“She does, and I don’t want to risk waking her. Bring Tessa straight back.”

“Yep. Just be waiting in case I need help.”