11. Zela #3
Jace’s fingers grip my hair impossibly tighter, but I remain still, letting them face off. It doesn’t really hurt, though the way he has me bent forward isn’t doing my already sore muscles any favors.
There are only two people who would dare tell Jace what to do. Ironically enough, I would have bet money it was only one person before this. I guess I was wrong.
“Why the fuck is he back?” Jace spits, pointing his knife at Isaac. “I thought he was out looking for Zela.” Jace waves his knife around as he talks as if it’s an extension of himself and not a deadly sharp blade.
Moron.
“I’m going to assume he didn’t find her, given his current mood,” Isaac says, seeming unfazed by both Jace’s attitude and his knife.
“Which is why I would suggest you come back to this,” he spits the word in disgust, and I almost laugh, feeling his gaze even on my back. Join the club. “Some other time.”
I keep still, giving no hint that I care what they're saying or that it means a damn thing to me. Even though the thought that I’ve pissed Kolson off has me damn near giddy.
Jace hesitates a moment before he finally gives in. With a growl of frustration, he shoves me away. I could catch myself, but I don’t; instead, I let myself hit the floor between them.
I’d made a mistake thinking I was safe here, but that won’t happen again. Next time one of them comes for me, I’ll be ready.
I watch as Jace stomps to the door, huffing his annoyance the whole way as he tucks his knife away. It’s not until after he flings the door open that he even bothers to start shoving his dick back in his pants as if he couldn’t care less who sees it. Somehow, I really don’t think he does.
Isaac remains where he is, making no move to follow him or even acknowledging he’s left. His gaze remains on me, his brows pulled together, and a frown pulls his lips down, and I swear this is the most expression I’ve ever seen on his face.
I don’t like the way his eyes feel, as if he’s able to see through me. I know my mask’s still in place, but for the first time since I started fighting, it doesn’t feel like enough.
“Thank you,” I choke out, in an attempt to break the silence and hopefully get him the hell out of here.
In his eyes, he saved me, so that must be what he wants—either that or he wants a chance at me now.
It’s not as if he denied feeling something for my alter ego when his brothers spoke about me that day.
My words seem to do the trick, kind of. His face becomes his usual impassive mask, but he doesn’t turn away or leave.
“Don’t thank me,” he says, glancing toward the door before turning his attention back to me.
“He’ll be back, eventually. You got lucky that Kolson happened to want him, but don’t expect someone to save you next time.
Jace has a way of getting what he wants,” he tells me as he takes a step toward me instead of toward the damn door, like I’d hoped.
I fight the urge to back away. Somehow, having him stalk toward me is worse than dealing with Jace. With him at least, I knew what he wanted and, mostly, what to expect.
Isaac isn’t as easy to read. He’s smart; I can see it in his eyes, but he’s also quiet and reserved. He doesn’t go around flaunting everything about him, and unknowns are dangerous.
He stops about a foot away, crouching down in front of me.
I narrow my gaze, doing my best to tell him to fuck off without actually saying it.
The last thing I need right now is another one of these psycho brothers to deal with.
All I want is a cold shower for my aching muscles, my damn bed, and a weapon.
No way I’ll be able to sleep in that house unarmed now.
He cocks his head to the side before his eyes trail down my body, all the way to my feet, before he drags them back up to my face again.
I bite the inside of my cheek hard enough that I taste blood, but I manage to keep my mouth shut.
I’m not sure if it’s from the fight or just now, but either way, I take comfort in it; the sharp iron taste grounds me even as he continues to watch me.
He pushes up to stand once again, turning to head toward the door, and I watch him go, feeling more confused than I had when I walked in to find Jace.
What the fuck is wrong with these guys, and what the hell did I do to deserve being stuck with them both at ‘home’ and here?
I push up to my knees with a huff, slowly rising to my feet as he goes. My muscles protest, stiff from the fight, but I push through it, ready to get the fuck out of here.
Isaac stops with his hand pressed to the door, but he pauses for a moment.
“I suggest you stop pissing Kolson off,” he says, his voice quiet, and I freeze.
I wasn’t aware I’d done anything to make Kolson mad.
No, that’s not true. I know I’ve made him mad, but not as Vixen…
My blood runs cold.
No! There’s no way!
“Jace might be a little crazy, but Kolson makes him look like a kitten, dear sister,” he says before he slips out the door, leaving me standing wide-eyed, staring at the space he’d just occupied.
I’d wanted to be alone, but now that I am, I’m not sure it was a great idea. The room spins as the reality of what he just said sinks in.
Isaac knows.