24. You Brought a Snack #2
Jake turns me toward him and takes my face in his hands. He strokes his thumb over my cheek, where three nights ago he marked me. Now there’s nothing but smooth skin. I hold myself rigid, waiting for him to ask me how.
‘I don’t need to know,’ he says, his eyes more green than amber in the sunlight.
‘But I’m thankful. And God, Eve, I’m so fucking sorry.
I have no excuse for my behavior. For losing control like that.
I’m under a lot of pressure here. But I never should have let it affect my judgment or let the Vampire bait me. ’
I wait, watching his face, because I won’t tell him it’s fine, or let him use Micah as an excuse. And I think there’s more coming. Silently, I place my hands over his where they cup my face.
‘I’m sorry,’ he says again, his eyes frantically searching mine. ‘I had to be the Alpha out there. I almost lost it when I saw you against the wall. It took everything in me not to tear someone to shreds. There’s a lot going on here that you don’t know about.’
I want to ask him what was up with the show Sara put on. Overzealously doing her job? A challenge to his authority? Jealousy? Does she know that I’m her Alpha’s girlfriend? Given her level of toxic rage, I’m guessing the answer is yes.
Well, that’s her problem. I’m sure not going to bother bringing it up with Jake.
I trust him, and the last thing I have the energy for is another fight sparked by jealousy.
There will be time later for the where are we at?
talk. Before this case, I thought I knew.
I was happy with the status quo. Now, I’m no longer sure.
But I do know we can’t go back to how we were before these murders.
Before I brought Micah back into my life.
‘I think trying to keep our lives compartmentalized was a mistake. It seemed wise, but it’s causing too many unforeseen issues.
I need to be able to do my job effectively, Jake.
’ Gently removing his hands from my face, I walk over to the kitchen.
I haven’t had nearly enough sleep over the past few days.
Sinking onto one of the grey and chrome stools at the breakfast counter, I swivel to face my boyfriend.
‘I’ve only ever wanted to protect you, Eve.’ His deep voice is filled with too many layers of meaning to disseminate.
I stare at him, towering over me, taking in every inch of the Alpha he is, and always will be.
He can’t stop his predatory, protective nature, any more than I can stop caring about human-Paranormal relations.
And I fell in love with him, knowing who he is.
I love his strength, his determination, his sense of right and wrong, and how deeply he cares for his Pack.
But he needs to take it down a few notches with me.
‘I’m already in this world. It’s how we met,’ I remind him, squeezing his hand.
If he thinks I’m fragile, that I can’t take care of myself, can’t hold my own, or face the threats that come with the PPS, then this relationship will never work.
‘Can we have no more secrets between us? If this is going to work out, things need to change. And I mean both of us. I’ve withheld details of my job, the same as you have.
But this needs to be a true partnership. ’ I gesture between us.
‘I promise to share more with you. Not personal details within the Pack, but the large stuff. Especially about our conflict with the Devil’s Edge.
’ With a sigh, he turns and walks over to the French doors, staring out over his domain before turning back to me.
‘It’s worse than you know. I’ve been on edge for months now, waiting for Janus to make his move.
I thought he was the one who planted my print on the first guy who was murdered.
The tension here ratcheted up. Eve, they were about to go to war when I was arrested.
If you hadn’t bailed me out, I hate to think of what would have happened. ’
Fury roars through me, and I want to punch Janus and wipe the smug smile he had at Rodriguez’s house off his face.
I fell for his act of pretending he doesn’t want a war.
Although maybe he’s not ready to Challenge Jake yet.
And he has been helpful with this investigation.
Of course, with the second murder occurring in his territory, he was quick to make sure he and his Pack were cleared of any involvement.
The very real possibility of a Pack war is something we will have to deal with another day, as long as Jake stops hiding the extent of it from me. This is something the entire PPS needs to be made aware of. No more downplaying the danger and encroaching threat of a Pack war.
Putting our personal relationship and all the tangled threads to the side, I share what we discovered in New Orleans, including that a Witch tried to kill me.
I do not say that she was jealous of what she imagined Micah felt for me.
I brush it off as her protecting the Warlock out of a sense of loyalty, which is entirely true on its own.
Jake’s claws punch out, his fingers elongating and curving. He tips her head back, canines on display, and growls loud enough to shake the walls. His eyes are glowing as he stalks back toward me.
‘I’m glad he killed her. I only wish it had been me.’
It’s a concession, along with his acknowledgment of needing Micah to pay his bond. He’s letting me know that he’s, if not thrilled, at least come to terms with the Vampire’s involvement in this case, if not in my life.
‘I put three bullets into her to make damn sure. But now I’m sorry. Maybe she could have been resurrected, and you could have killed her all over again.’ I smile up at him, and there’s nothing nice in it.
He grins at me, and it’s entirely lupine. The claws and canines retract, and then his mouth is on mine in a heartbeat. His hands are warm and gentle on my back before they slide up into my hair and around to cup my face. He delves deep, his tongue curling around mine.
‘You say all the things to make a guy hard for you,’ he growls into my mouth.
I go molten with need but pull away, gripping the edge of the seat tightly to keep focused. There’s more to tell him before we get to the make-up sex.
‘Tim found a connection between Jason and Evan.’ His eyes sharpen at my words.
‘Evan used to take illegal supps, back when Jason was a low-level dealer making his way up the ranks. We still have no idea why either of them was a target. Or Lila.’ I pause, and then decide he needs to know.
‘Janus told us Lycos don’t get any added strength from supps.
He’s been very forthcoming.’ The censure in my voice is clear.
‘Fine,’ he huffs, running a hand through his golden brown hair, the strands catching the light pouring in through the French doors.
‘I’m sorry I closed ranks. I thought it was the best thing to do to appease the Pack.
But this is about more than just them, or Evan’s murder.
So whatever help you need, we’ll give it.
Even if it means playing nice with the Devil’s Edge. And the bloodsuckers.’
He smirks down at me, and he’s so gorgeous I feel the tension I’ve been holding onto drop down a few levels.
‘I love you.’ I let everything I feel fill my eyes. Love, desire, need, understanding, and forgiveness.
‘I fucking love you too. More than I thought possible.’ Sweeping me off the stool, my arms and legs wrap around him as he holds me under my ass and walks effortlessly across the room to his bed.
My body and mind are warring. I want him, but I’m exhausted.
Jake places me down almost reverently and curls up behind me, one arm tight across my waist, the other cradling my head.
He throws a blanket over us, and the familiarity is soothing in a way I hadn’t realized I needed.
I feel protected, cared for, loved, and at peace, the most I’ve been in the past few weeks.