"She said 'don't let him kill any more of us ,' like I was in danger as well."
Rio's skin went tight with foreboding. "You're sure this is what you saw - what you heard?"
"Yes."
"Show me." He took a step toward the room. "I need to see this for myself. Is it still in there?"
Dylan shook her head. "No, she's gone now. The apparitions are like mist...they don't stay visible for very long."
"Did you ask her where the others might be, or who it was that killed her?"
"It doesn't work that way, unfortunately. They can speak, but I don't think they can hear me wherever they are. I've tried, but that never works." Dylan stared at him for a long moment. "Rio, I think every one of these visitations I've had - from the very first, when I was just a kid - has been the spirit of a dead Breedmate. I always thought it was odd that I only saw females, young females, who should have been in prime health. When I saw the birthmark under Toni's chin, it all clicked into place in my mind. Rio, I get it now - I feel it. They've all been Breedmates."
Rio ran a hand over his scalp, letting a sharp oath hiss through his teeth. "I need to call Boston and fill them in on this."
Dylan nodded, still staring up into his eyes. When she spoke, her voice was a little shaky. "Rio, I'm scared."
He pulled her close, knowing what it cost her to admit that, even to him. "Don't be. I'll keep you safe. But I can't leave you here tonight, Dylan. I'm taking you back with me to the compound."
She frowned. "But my mom - "
"If I can help her too, I will," he said, putting it all out there for her now. "But first I need to know that you'll be safe."
Dylan's eyes pleaded with him, then, at last, she gave a small nod of her head. "All right, Rio. I'll go back with you."
Chapter Twenty-eight
Rio didn't trance Dylan for the ride back to Boston.
Despite sidelong looks from Nikolai and Kade in the front of the SUV that suggested he was an idiot to break protocol on that, Rio couldn't treat Dylan with anything but total faith. He knew he was taking one hell of a gamble that she could be trusted with the location of the Order's headquarters, even though he wasn't sure how long - or in what capacity - she'd be staying with him there, but he did trust her.
Hell, more than that, he was pretty damn sure he loved her.
He kept that stunning realization to himself, however, seeing very clearly that Dylan was anxious about leaving her mother alone in New York. Each mile they traveled closer to Boston, he felt her heart beat a bit faster. He didn't need to be bonded to her by blood to feel the tang of indecision rolling off her body in waves as she rested quietly against him in the backseat, her gaze fixed on the blur of scenery speeding past the tinted windows.
She didn't want to be here.
Rio didn't doubt that she felt some affection toward him. After tonight, he knew she did. And he had to believe that under different circumstances, she wouldn't feel so much like she wanted to bolt from the moving vehicle and race back home to New York.
"Hey," he murmured next to her ear as Niko swung the Rover into the gated drive of the compound. "We're going to figure all of this out, okay?"
She gave him a small smile, but her eyes were sad. "Just hold me, Rio."
He drew her farther into his embrace and pressed his lips to hers in a tender kiss. "I won't let anything bad happen. I promise you that."
He wasn't entirely sure how he could make good on a sizable vow like that, but seeing the look of hope in Dylan's eyes as she gazed up at him, damn if he wouldn't make it his life's mission to see the promise through, whatever it took.
The SUV rolled through and headed for the Order's secured fleet garage. Rio hated to let go of Dylan as the car came to a stop inside the hangar.
"Home, sweet home," Kade drawled, opening the passenger door and climbing out.
Nikolai shot Rio a look over the front seats. "We're gonna head down to the lab. Should we tell Lucan and the others you'll be around shortly?"
Rio nodded. "Yeah, right behind you. Give me ten minutes."
"You got it." Niko glanced to Dylan. "Listen, I'm really sorry about your mother. That's got to be tough. There just are no adequate words, you know?"
"I know," she murmured. "But thank you, Nikolai."