The room stayed silent. I looked up from my toast. Antony wasn’t awake. Derek and Bev sat across from me.
‘I’m assuming that’s a no. He must have stayed with the others after the fight.’
Bev fidgeted. She stirred the cereal around her bowl. Neither of them had eaten anything.
‘You’re worried about him,’ I stated.
‘Your father always checks in. It’s unlike him not to.’ Bev gave up on her food and let her spoon clatter into the bowl.
I had to call Aries. I got up and rushed through the door as Antony came in. We bumped into each other. My face heated as he steadied me.
‘Sorry,’ I mumbled, trying to move around him.
He took my elbow and guided me outside. It was spring and the birds chirped happily. I sat on the bench swing and tilted my face to the sun. Antony stayed standing. Feeling his gaze on my face. I closed my eyes.
‘I’ve not heard from your father. I need you to ring your siblings and ask if he’s with them.’
I opened my eyes and took the mobile phone he offered me. I dialled their number. My fingers were stiff and so was the energy around us.
‘Aries, it’s Pisces,’ I said when he picked up. ‘Is Father with you?’
‘Why did you leave your bag in the car? I couldn’t get hold of you. I had no bloody idea if you were still alive! Where are you?’
His temper simmered. I had to keep my cool. ‘I’m at Father’s. That’s where he told me to go.’
Aries grunted and I heard him tell the others where I was. ‘It’s not good news. Nick has him.’
I almost dropped the phone. Antony came to sit next to me. My body started to shake. He put his hand on my shoulder. The touch sent heat spiralling through me.
‘How did that happen?’
‘More men came and we were overpowered. The police turned up. We managed to get away but we couldn’t find Father anywhere.’
The phone muffled in my ear and I heard him roar at the others to shut up. I was glad that I wasn’t on the end of his fireball.
‘What’s happened?’ Antony asked.
‘Father’s been taken by Nick,’ I answered, my hand over the receiver.
Antony got to his feet and hurried to the back door. He called Derek and told him to go and get dressed. I looked down at my pyjamas before clambering off the seat.
‘Pisces, come home. We need to sort this out between us,’ Aries said into the phone before it shut off.
Antony came back over. ‘Stay here, we’re going to London.’
‘There’s no way I’m staying here,’ I exclaimed as I marched past him.
‘I’m your bodyguard. Do as I say.’
I paused as I snorted. It wasn’t a ladylike sound. Antony frowned at me but I couldn’t help it. It wasn’t the right time to be laughing, but after everything that had happened, I wasn’t going to stay behind.
‘Derek needs to stay here with Bev. I’m coming with you, or I’m going home to the others. It’s your choice.’
I left him and stormed to my room to get dressed. I had just put on my bra when the door opened and Antony came in. I squeaked as I tried to cover myself but he ignored my state of undress.
He came to me, buried his hand into my loose hair and pulled my head back to expose my throat. I swallowed and his gaze followed the movement. He lowered his head and flicked his tongue over the sensitive skin below my ear.
‘Antony…’ I whispered.
He reached up and covered my mouth.
‘I won’t let you ruin this,’ he whispered against my neck.
His breath made me shiver as it caressed my skin. His puckered lips kissed along my collarbone. I had forgotten that I was half dressed. When his hand brushed my bare stomach, I sucked in a breath.
I linked my arms around his neck. He loosened his grip in my hair and brought my head up. Our lips met but it wasn’t soft. His breath huffed into my mouth as he forced it open with his tongue. His arms wrapped around my back and held me against his warm chest. Our heartbeats matched as they raced together.
‘Antony, you’ve got to let me come!’ Derek shouted from the hallway.
He nipped my bottom lip as we pulled apart. I licked the spot he had caught and his gaze zoned in on my tongue.
I opened my mouth to speak. As he lowered his gaze, his eyes widened at the realisation that I had no top on. His cheeks flushed pink as he muttered an apology before he winked and left me to finish getting dressed.
I was still panting after he had gone. I hadn’t expected him to kiss me, yet my whole body had been ready. It felt right. Just like the fireworks I had imagined when I found my soulmate.
After pulling on my blue jumper, I hurried with the rest of my stuff. I had a feeling I would no longer stay at my father’s. The first part of my mission was almost complete, although we had a way to go yet.
The book said that the first sign of harmonising was being drawn to one another. We wouldn’t be able to resist each other. No matter how much we tried to run, we would always end up together. I had read a lot over the last two months. I was now confident that we were going to unite.