Davis wasn’t surprised to find out that Devon wasn’t Justin’s cousin. Those two didn’t even look like each other, and if Davis wasn’t mistaken, Devon was human, while Justin was a werewolf. He had no idea why Justin had lied to them, but he trusted Justin. He had to. Justin was part of their team now, and that meant they had each other’s back. They couldn’t do otherwise.

Devon was nervous. There was no ignoring that. He looked like he might bolt at any second, and that wasn’t good. Even the slightest noise made him jump. Whatever he’d done, whatever he was running from, was still haunting him. Davis didn’t like that. He wanted to help Devon, but he wasn’t sure how.

He wasn’t the kind of man who comforted people. Usually, people were afraid when they saw him. He was big, too big. The fact that he had a full beard and that he towered over most people made him intimidating. No matter how many times he tried telling people that he was just a guy, most of them didn’t believe him, especially people who were already terrified, like Devon. Davis wanted to help him, but he wasn’t sure Devon wouldn’t run away if he came anywhere near him—which was a pity because Davis and his team were supposed to escort Devon to Kameron. The two men needed to talk.

There was also the fact that Lorcan was acting weird. He'd done that ever since they’d first met Devon, and Davis wasn’t sure what was happening. Lorcan was his best friend, although he was close to everyone on the team. It was weird that he hadn’t talked to Davis about whatever was bothering him, but Davis knew better than to push, especially right now. This was the worst moment to ask for explanations. He wanted to, though.

“Here’s what’s going to happen,” Justin said. He was crouching next to the couch where Devon was sitting with his hands twined together in his lap. “We’re going to escort you to Kameron. That means that Nadha will shimmer us to Kameron’s house. We’ll appear right in front of it, and we’ll go in. You’ll never be alone, and we’re here to protect you. You can trust us. I know it’s not going to be as easy as I make it sound, but our job is to keep you safe, and we take it seriously.”

Now Davis was even more curious about Devon. But again, this was the worst moment to ask.

Justin was right. His and everyone else’s job was to protect Devon. What he’d done or what he was running from didn’t matter. He was terrified, though, so Davis steeled himself against whatever was coming. Hopefully, whoever was after Devon hadn’t found him yet, but if they had, the team would be ready to face them.

“What if he’s found me?” Devon asked, his voice barely louder than a whisper. “What if he’s only waiting for this to attack and grab me?”

Justin patted Devon’s knee. “I can’t promise you he hasn’t found you, but I don’t think he has. It would have been easy for him to come into the house and take you. You’ve been here alone several times. So no, I don’t think he knows where you are. But he might find out after this. I hope it’s something you thought about.”

Devon grimaced. “I have, but I also don’t have a choice, do I? You won’t let me hide in here.”

“Because you have vital information for the pack. I know you’re afraid, but I also know you, Devon. You’d never forgive yourself if something happened to the pack and you could have prevented it. You’re going to save dozens of lives.”

Devon wrinkled his nose. “You don’t have to guilt me into this. I’ve made my decision, and I’m going to stick by it. I was just saying that it’s not going to be easy. You’re right. I’m terrified. You have no idea what’s going to happen if he finds out where I am and what I’m doing. There’s no other way out of it, though. I don’t want to run for the rest of my life.” He looked up, apparently only now remembering that he had an audience. His cheeks pinked, and Lorcan made a strange sound deep in his throat.

Davis frowned and elbowed his friend, then leaned closer. “What are you doing?” he murmured.

He had no idea what was going on with Lorcan, but the sound had been enough to make Devon jump and shrink against the back of the couch.

Lorcan shook his head. “Never mind me.”

“Never mind you? Are you serious?”

Sue cleared her throat, getting everyone’s attention. “Hello, Devon. I’m Sue, and I’m this team’s leader. If you’re ready, we should head out. As Justin told you, we won’t be exposed. We’re just going to shimmer from here to Kameron’s house. Once we’re there, you’ll be safe in pack territory. We’ll stick with you for as long as you need us to, and that includes inside the house. I don’t know if Kameron wants to talk to you alone, but unless he has explicit orders for that, we’ll stay with you even in his office. Is that okay with you?”

Sue was a badass, but she could make herself look soft and gentle. Or maybe she was soft and gentle. Davis wasn’t sure, but he was scared of her. She was their boss—their leader—and she’d earned that role.

Devon rose from the couch and raked a hand through his hair. “We might as well go. It’s not that I have a choice or like things will change if I wait.” He looked around. “How does this work?”

Nadha pushed through the small crowd in Justin’s living room and held her hand out. “Take my hand. Everyone else is going to touch me, and I’ll shimmer the bunch of us out. Ready?”