Chapter Thirty-three #2
He cocked his head, staring at her curiously. ‘Are you thinking that if we were together it’d make Ripper jealous? Spur him to dump Emberlyn?’
CeCe’s eyes widened. ‘What? Of course not. All I want when it comes to Ripper is for he and I to rebuild our friendship.’
‘But only so he’ll stop avoiding you,’ Logan claimed. ‘You want to get close to him again. How else can you push the triad agenda?’
‘I dropped that idea,’ CeCe clipped. ‘I know it isn’t ever going to happen.’
‘No, it isn’t. Because even if Rip changed his mind, I wouldn’t. He won’t, though. And neither will I.’
CeCe pressed her lips tight together. ‘You love me.’
‘And you shit all over that. You took advantage of it. Used it. Used me to try to manipulate my brother.’
‘I’ll make up for hurting you—’
‘That’s great. Won’t make any difference.’ Logan gave a blasé shrug. ‘Like I said, that ship has sailed.’
Pain and spite washing over her face, CeCe refocused on Emberlyn. ‘I suppose you’re feeling rather smug.’
Emberlyn blinked. ‘About what?’
‘You managed to turn both brothers against me.’
Logan gaped at the woman. ‘Honest to God, CeCe?’
CeCe clenched her fists. ‘You have loved me all your life. That doesn’t just switch off. But it would with a little magick.’
This bitch was extra. ‘It’s pretty sad that you need to feel there’s an outside reason why Logan turned you down.
Join us in reality, sweetie, and take in the view – he doesn’t want you because he doesn’t want you.
And that is on you. You’re right that strong feelings don’t just switch off,’ Emberlyn allowed.
‘But they do if a whole lot of buttons are pressed. And let’s face it, you did just that, didn’t you? ’
The female werewolf didn’t speak for long moments, resentment tightening her jaw. ‘You know, I really do loathe you.’
Emberlyn sniffed dismissively. ‘Join the line of haters. Despising me doesn’t make you special around here.’ Picking up movement in her peripheral vision, she looked to see Ripper fast approaching, a potato spiral stick in hand. His steely gaze bounced from her to Logan to CeCe and back again.
He halted at Emberlyn’s side, offering her the potato stick. Oh, he knew her so well. She gratefully took it, saying, ‘Thank you.’ She wasted no time biting into it.
He didn’t respond, busy glaring at CeCe. ‘I don’t know why the fuck you’d even think to come over here when I told you to stay away from Emberlyn.’
CeCe jutted out her chin. ‘I actually came to talk to Logan. Which I wanted to do alone, but he wouldn’t move from this spot, so I had no choice but to be near her. But if you want to temporarily banish me, fine. Go for it.’ It was a dare.
Ripper’s shoulders lifted and fell. ‘Consider it done.’
CeCe sucked in a breath, staring at him in complete shock.
Her eyes welled up, but anger carved lines into her face.
‘Like I give a damn. The two men I love don’t want anything to do with me.
No punishment you dish out could hurt worse than that.
’ She stiffly walked away, her head down, her shoulders bowed.
If Emberlyn was a more forgiving person, she would have felt sorry for the girl. Maybe.
‘Get this,’ Logan said to Ripper. ‘She actually came over to offer me a relationship – and in a way that made it clear she thought I’d pounce on it.’ He shook his head, a sigh easing out of him. ‘A couple of months ago, I would have.’
‘So you told her no, then?’ Ripper asked him, threading his fingers through the back of Emberlyn’s hair.
‘I did,’ Logan replied. ‘She didn’t much like it. She suggested that Emberlyn had used magick to make you and me turn on her – like she hadn’t managed that all by herself.’
‘What?’ Ripper growled, his gaze snapping down to Emberlyn. ‘What else did she say to you?’
Nibbling at a slice of potato, Emberlyn flicked a hand. ‘Nothing notable.’
‘She told you she loathed you,’ Logan reminded her.
‘And I don’t care, so it isn’t notable.’
Ripper tugged at her hair to tilt back her head so their gazes met once more. ‘I care that she’d dare speak to you that way.’
‘Well, you’ve already issued the temporary banishment, so it’s handled.’ Emberlyn shrugged. ‘If you chase after her to pull her on it, you’re just giving her the attention that she craves. You said you were done doing that.’
‘Your witch is right, Rip, don’t go give CeCe what she wants.’ Logan rose from his seat. ‘I gotta talk to Kerr about something real quick. Stick close to your woman, brother. The Reeds are still hovering.’
Heaving a sigh, Ripper nodded.
As Logan strode off, Emberlyn said, ‘I don’t think she thought you were serious about issuing a temporary banishment.’
Ripper’s brows flicked together as he sank onto the chair. ‘I don’t make idle threats. And I’d never undermine my own authority by not living up to my word.’
‘I know, but it’s a super serious punishment.’
‘Which she all but dared me to issue.’
‘Daring an Alpha is never wise.’ Emberlyn bit into a piece of potato and then angled the stick toward Ripper. ‘Want some?’
His honeydew-green eyes warming, he swiped a full slice of potato right off the stick with his teeth. ‘So you’re feeding me now?’
‘Fuck, no. You’re only getting one slice. This is mine.’
He chuckled, low and throaty. It was a rusty sound, and it had her mesmerized.
‘I don’t think I’ve ever heard you laugh before.’
He shrugged. ‘Never really had much to laugh about. Then came you.’
Warmth blossomed in her belly. ‘Dude, you’re making me want to jump you right here in front of everyone.’
His eyes lit up. ‘I’m good with that, it’s . . .’ He trailed off, his brow furrowing as his gaze shifted to something over her shoulder.
Tracking his gaze, Emberlyn saw that Paisley was on her way back to the table. There was no Kage with her this time.
She held out a brown paper bag. ‘Funnel cake, as ordered,’ she said around the lollipop in her mouth.
Emberlyn smiled brightly and took the bag. ‘Thank you.’
Just then, Logan reappeared. And he was eyeing Paisley like he’d never met her before. ‘You’re wearing a pink tiara.’
‘I know,’ said Paisley, adjusting its position.
‘And your hair is covered in glitter,’ he added.
‘Stating the obvious, but yes.’
‘You also have unicorn tattoos all over your neck and arms.’
‘They’ll wash off. Sadly.’
Logan frowned at the smeared face paint. ‘Why a tiger?’
‘What is it with all the questions?’
‘I only asked one.’
‘One is one too many.’ Putting a hand to her stomach, she looked at Emberlyn. ‘I think I’ve eaten too much candy. I don’t feel so good. The tractor ride didn’t help.’
Logan cocked his head. ‘Isn’t that for kids?’
‘Again with the questions,’ Paisley huffed.
Standing upright, Emberlyn waved her over. ‘Come sit.’
As Paisley went to skirt around the table, Logan reared back and threw up his hands. She frowned. ‘Why are you backing away?’
‘I’m not good with children,’ he replied.
Paisley gasped in offense. ‘You shithead.’
Emberlyn started to laugh.
Logan gave Paisley an appeasing look. ‘Oh, come on, you can’t walk around like that and expect not to be the butt of somebody’s joke.’ He glanced at the male approaching the table. ‘Crew, control your woman.’
Crew frowned. ‘My w—what the fuck?’
Paisley set a hand on her hip. ‘Why are you gawping at me?’
‘How can I not? It looks like a kids’ classroom puked on you,’ Crew marveled in sheer dismay.
Paisley notched up her chin. ‘I’m happy. Isn’t that what’s important?’
‘I – well – I mean – not right now.’
Paisley growled. ‘You’re all dicks. Emberlyn, stop laughing!’