“I can help you, and you’re going to need me.”

He sat down on the bed. “I can’t think…”

I knelt in front of him. “That’s why you need me. I can do this. I can help.”

He let out a breath. “I’m going to regret this.”

I gave him what I hoped was a comforting smile. “Never.”

“All right.” He shook his head. “I’m going to talk to your father and get everything ready for our trip. I’ll be back here in three hours.”

“I’ll be ready.”

He pulled me up to him, giving me a hard kiss. “You better be. If I lose you, no one is safe.”

I leaned back, looking into his glowing blue eyes. “Nothing’s going to happen to me. And I have a get out of jail free card. So, either way, I’m set.”

“That’s not funny.”

“Wasn’t meant to be.”

He left, glancing back at me just before he walked out the door. His shoulders were a bit hunched and the creases around his eyes seemed deeper. My mate had some serious problems in his pack, and we both knew it.

I stayed frozen for a second.

What the hell was I getting myself into?

Chapter Eight

My father and brothers showed up in my room not long after Donovan left. It took me the better part of an hour to assure them that I was leaving and that I’d be okay. Max threatened to go with us to Ireland, but I was going to be joining the Irish pack. Possibly sooner than I’d thought. I couldn’t have him or the others there stopping me from accepting challenges. It took Donovan pledging them that he’d look after me before they saw reason. It frustrated me that after everything, they still needed Donovan’s word. I could take care of myself.

It was just the two of us on Donovan’s plane. As we finally made our descent, I pressed my nose to the window, fogging it a little with each breath. I’d never been to Ireland before. Now I knew why my father had avoided the island, but that didn’t matter now. I pushed away all the anxious thoughts about what we’d face when we landed and let myself enjoy the view. It was too beautiful not to.

Ireland held so many varying shades of green. As we descended toward the Dublin airport, I could make out each square patch of variegated green, even though it was gray and raining. I spotted little cottages in the countryside and wondered about the people who lived there.

Did Ireland have reality TV? Because I was so in for that. The stronghold better have cable. And good Wi-Fi.

The plane’s tires finally touched the ground, and I sat frozen as we slowed to a stop. I knew it was time to get out.

“You ready?” Donovan said.

I jerked in my seat. Just the two of us on his beautiful plane had been nice. He’d slept most of the way, but I could never sleep on planes. Especially not this trip.