“Death stare?”
“I guess that’s what she calls it when our eyes glow.”
Ash’s brows quirked. “But your eyes were glowing because you found her, not because you were angry, right?”
“Yeah, I guess to her it didn’t seem that way. She said when we met, she created the illusion because I’m always angry and because I’m…intimidating and…mean.”
“Are you surprised?”
Ashley glared at her mate, and then addressed Jacob. “Oh, Jake, don’t worry. She’ll get to know the real you, and she’ll love you.”
She said it like she believed it with her every breath. He needed that now more than ever. Pure Ashley, so sweet and nice. Of all the immortals living at the compound, she’d befriended him. He still couldn’t fucking believe it. Not for the first time, he thanked God he hadn’t managed to push her away.
“I hope so.” The image of Valerie’s face came to his mind. He grinned. “She’s beautiful…”
Ashley smiled. “Yes, and she’s great with Annie. You don’t have to worry about that, ever.”
He wasn’t much for hoping, had never been, but now, it was all he had.
Chapter 12
Over the sound of the blazing hot water cascading down his back, chest, and head, Jacob heard Annie’s soft cries. He quickly wiped the soap off, wrapped a towel around his waist, and materialized in her room. Her sadness struck him and wedged itself deep in his gut. His heart tightened in his chest.
“Pupa, what’s wrong?”
Tears streaming down her beautiful face, she said, “It’s M-Monday.”
“Y-yeah. It is.”
She cried harder. God! What he’d give so she’d never cry again. He picked her up, unconcerned with the water still dripping down his chest, and held her close. “Annie, please tell me what’s wrong. What can I do?”
“Mommy made me…b-braid on…Mondays.”
Mommy. She missed her mother. He was a warrior, a poor replacement for the family she’d lost. Feeling like an utter failure, he said, “I can get Ash to make you a braid.”
“N-no…” She shook her head. “Ash doesn’t know how to do the fishy braid.”
Valerie. Gently pressing Annie tighter against his chest, he materialized on the floor below his.
Annie continued to wail. Her small body trembling against him, each cry pierced him with agony.
“Valerie?”
Not a moment later, she darted out of the hallway leading into the bedrooms, her hair in disarray, wearing an oversized shirt.
His gaze trailed down her body taking full view of her long, lean legs. Shutting his eyes, he shook his head, trying to erase the image. Annie needed him. He couldn’t lose focus. He had to concentrate.
“Is she okay?” she asked, bringing his thoughts to the present. The concern expressed on her stunning face and voice palpable.
“The braid…My sister used to make her the fishtail braid on Mondays. Can you…Would you mind?”
She closed the distance between them and took Annie from him. Annie went to her easily, wrapping her legs around Valerie’s waist. “Don’t cry, sweetie,” she soothed, walking toward the couch and setting her on it. She kneeled in front of her. “I’ll braid your hair.”
“B-but…what a-about next time?”
A surge of emotion hit the center of his chest. He felt it more so than his very own. So powerful, it felt like the wind had been knocked out of him. Having felt it not ten hours ago, he knew it belonged to his mate.
Valerie’s eyes watered. “This isn’t just about the braid. This is about missing your mommy and daddy, right?”
Annie nodded.
His heart fell to the pit of his stomach. He watched in horror wondering what he should do, what he should say. He hadn’t spoken to Annie about her parents because he didn’t want to remind her they were gone. Valerie did the opposite.
She grabbed Annie’s hands on her lap and squeezed them. “When you feel sad, think about all the good times you shared with them, think about how much they love you. They miss you just like you miss them, and they’re always with you, Annie. You can’t see them, but you can feel them inside you, in your heart.”
If he hadn’t felt her sadness, he would’ve read it from her tone, laced in it. She spoke with such emotion, he knew she believed what she said. The urge to comfort them both nearly crippled him. Still, he couldn’t move. He waited and watched as Annie’s sobs quieted.
Valerie took the sleeve of her shirt and wiped the child’s face softly, then hugged her. She pulled away and smiled. “I’ll braid your hair anytime you want, and I’ll teach you to make all the braids I know.”
Annie smiled. The sadness streaming from her lessened. Valerie’s did too. Only then did he finally pull in a breath.
A pair of honey-colored eyes met his. His mate flushed, her cheeks turning the prettiest shade of pink. He felt it then. It was brief, but no doubt there, desire. Not wanting to make her feel more uncomfortable, he gazed at Annie and grinned. Valerie sat on the couch, Annie in front of her, and began braiding her hair.
A while later, Valerie finished. “There you go. You look beautiful.”
“I have to use the restroom.”
“You can use the one in the hall.”
Annie strode away.
“Thank you.”
When he spoke, she met his gaze for a split second, then buried her hands in her lap. “You’re welcome.”
Jacob sensed a disturbance, a presence. He turned, spotting Nathan, his subordinate. His mate practically naked and Nathan appeared out of thin air in her living room? Why?
Jealously. So much of it, it morphed to rage. His demon didn’t help, egging him on, waiting, wanting, begging to be unleashed. He had to control it, couldn’t lose it. His mate feared him, the warrior who wore anger like a shield. Seeing him in demon form, no matter the reason, would terrify her.
Fighting the urge to shift, he clamped his jaw tight. Then he did the only thing he could. He materialized in front of Valerie, blocking her from Nathan’s view.
“What the hell are you doing here?” he barked.
Nathan didn’t seem bothered finding him there, didn’t express surprise either. Instead, he replied calmly, “I came to get Val for breakfast.”
He called her Val? Why would he call her Val? Were they…Had they…Jacob shook his head. He wouldn’t think of it. If he thought of it, he’d turn. “Leave.” His voice, menacing. “She’s not dressed.”
“Neither are you.”
Wrong answer, only intensifying his anger.
Glancing down, he realized that was in fact true. Concerned for Annie, he’d materialized in Valerie’s apartment with a towel wrapped around his waist.
“I-it’s okay, Nathan. I’ll meet you there.”
Valerie, his beautiful witch, when she spoke, that beautiful voice of hers shook.
Turning, his gaze fell to her. She cowered away, wrapping her arms tight around her midsection. Damn it all to hell. He didn’t even need to feel her emotions to know she was terrified. Of him…
Dragging a hand over his face, he cursed. He took several deep breaths, trying to control the jealous rage that overwhelmed him. As he did, he felt and heard the air conditioning turn on, a blast of cold air from the vent just over their heads hit them. His gaze unconsciously trailed down her body, stopping at her chest. Her nipples hardened and peaked against the oversized shirt.
His mouth watered. His cock swelled painfully. A growl escaped his lips.
That shirt. A man’s shirt. Was that why Nathan had come? Had he had her?
His blood heated, his demon begged.
The reason why he had to control his rage forgotten.
His eyes narrowed. “Whose shirt is that?”
Startled, she jumped. “What?”
“Whose shirt is that?” He pointed at the shirt.
“Umm…” She glanced down at herself, readjusted the shirt, and mumbled, “I-I’m not s-sure.”
&
nbsp; Fuck.
Contemplating whether to kill every male within a fifty mile radius, he fisted his palms and took a deliberate step in her direction.
She mirrored him, taking a step away.
“Have you had so many men?” Even as mad as he was, as jealous, he regretted it instantly. Watching her face pale, his stomach soured.
Nathan materialized inches from him, blocking her from view. “Jesus, Jacob! How could…” His voice trailed off.
Nathan defending his mate, protecting her? It was his job! His temper flared again, his demon on the cusp.
His jaw clamp down. “I suggest you leave.”
“Valerie, go change. I’ll wait for you,” Nathan said, his gaze stayed on him.
She couldn’t get away fast enough. Rushing out of the room, she nearly crashed into the couch.
“Have you forgotten you are under my command? I told you to leave, warrior. You should follow orders before I do something you’ll regret,” he threatened. “Demons have done worse under similar suspicions.”
“The shirt isn’t mine. I’m not sleeping with her,” he whispered.
The relief he felt didn’t penetrate before Nathan said, “What type of man would I be if I left now? She’s terrified of you, and you practically called her a whore.”
He flinched. “Why are you here?”
“The shirt is mine.”
Turning, he spotted Clyde striding toward them. “What?”
Clyde shook his head. “The shirt is mine. The night we brought her here, she had nothing. Everything was lost in the fire. Ashley took one of my shirts and dressed her.”
“The fire?”
“Caused by explosions.”
All his fated’s belongings burned in explosive fires? She could’ve died! Had she been hurt? And he’d called her a whore?
“Close.”
Fuck, he made a mess of everything, given her more reason to fear him, given her a reason to hate him. What had he been thinking saying something so cruel to his fated? His jealousy and temper were his demise. How would she ever forgive him?
“Uncle Jake?” His attention snapped to Annie standing at the mouth of the hallway leading to the bedrooms. “Are you mad at Val? I heard you yell at her.” She approached them.
His stomach turned. Kneeling in front of her, he cupped her cheek. “No, pupa, I’m mad at myself.”
“You hurt her feelings. She’s crying.”
His chest tightened. “Shit,” he whispered, then stilled. “I didn’t say that.”
Annie nodded. “Yes, you did. I heard it, but I won’t repeat it. I promise.” She looked behind him, then met his stare again. “You should say you’re sorry and buy her a present.”
He must’ve heard her wrong. “Huh?”
“When Mommy got mad at Daddy, he would say sorry, then buy her a present to make it better. You should get her flowers.”
Flowers? There weren’t enough flowers in the world to show her how sorry he was.
“We’ll be in our apartment,” Clyde said. “Come, Annie.”
He watched them walk away, strode down the hallway, and stopped in front of the only room with a closed door, Valerie’s. He knocked.
“Nathan?”
His temper flared again. He bit his tongue to stop himself from screaming. “No,” he said through clenched teeth. “It’s Jacob.”
Through the door with his superior hearing, he heard a sharp inhale of breath. “I’m not feeling well—”
Open or I’ll break down the door. He thought better of it and said, “I’ll just stay out here and wait until you feel better.”
“Please don’t. Please leave.”
He leaned his forehead against the door, realizing he had no choice but to apologize with a door standing between them. “Valerie, I’m sorry. I was angry, and I said something I’ll never forgive myself for, but please forgive me.”
She didn’t speak, so he took the chance and went on.
“I didn’t mean what I said. I was jealous—”
“Jealous? Of what?”
He swallowed. “I didn’t want anyone seeing you…” Naked. No, she hadn’t been. Half naked? He settled for “…in your state—”
“In my state? What state is that?” Her voice rose, throwing sass, not sounding afraid of him one bit now.
It pleased him. What didn’t please him—she needed a door between them to speak her mind.
“You were practically naked. I could see…” He closed his eyes. The image of her wearing the white oversized shirt flooded him. Her beautiful face, her sleek body, those flawless legs…
His mind ran wild, imagining her face inches from his, her body tucked against his, and those legs wrapped around him. “You could see—”
The door swung open, and the words died on his lips. He lost his balance and fell to the ground.
He cursed under his breath.
She laughed. His head snapped up, gaze on her, and his heart stilled in his chest. A sparkle lit her warm, honey eyes, her smiling face illuminating the room, blinding him. Breathtaking, more beautiful than he thought possible.
She tensed. Her smile faded. Fear mingled with her earlier amusement.
“Laugh.” He smiled. “It’s funny, and I deserve worse.”
She relaxed and smiled. He allowed his gaze to trail down her body, covered with a long robe.
Just a few feet from her, he rose to his knees. “I am sorry, Valerie. I was a jerk.”
Her eyes widened. “It’s fine.”
He shook his head. “No, it’s not. I hurt you. Made you cry.”
She turned her head to the side. “Yeah, but I electrocuted you yesterday, and you forgave me so…”
“It’s not the same.”
She shrugged. “Maybe not, but…”
“Would you forgive me if you electrocute me again?”
Her eyes widened. “What?” Her voice rose slightly. “Do you think I’d get pleasure from hurting you? How will that solve anything?”
“Revenge?”
“The idea of revenge is always better than the feeling afterward.”
“That depends on the reason for revenge.”
“No, it doesn’t. Haven’t you ever heard ‘revenge is an act of passion; vengeance of justice’?”
His jaw dropped. When he recovered, he found himself saying, “Beautiful and wise.”
She flushed, then immediately shook her head. “I forgive you. You don’t have to waste your time flattering me.”
“I’m being honest.”
She took a step away from him. “Stop that right now, Jake.” She tensed. “I mean Jacob.”
He smiled, loving the way his name sounded on her lips. “You can call me whatever you like.”
“Yeah? How about ‘angry demon’?” she retorted, sardonically.
He nodded. “I suppose I deserve that, and it’s true. If you want, you can call me that, but just so you know, you’re the only one who can.”
She frowned. “I’m sorry. That was mean.”
“I deserve it.”
Valerie exhaled noisily. “Get up, off your knees, and get dressed…please.” She turned away from him.
“Not until you forgive me.”
Turning back around, she snapped, “You’re infuriating. I already told you I forgive you.”
“But will you hold it against me, against Annie?”
Her eyes narrowed, flaring to life. “How horrible a person do you think I am?” Her arm shot out. “First, you insinuate I sleep around, then you ask me to hurt you as some sort of payback, and now, you think I’d hold a grudge against an innocent child for something her uncle did?” She spun away in a huff and stormed off.
How did he keep messing this up?
He stood, then rushed to her. “No, I swear I wasn’t trying to offend—”
She faced him, stopping him in mid-sentence.
He barely had time to stop before he knocked her over.
“You are…” She looked around, then fina
lly said, “Trouble.”
Shit. That wasn’t good. “Trouble?”
Turning away, she rushed into the bathroom. He stuck his hand in the doorway expecting her to slam it in his face. Still turned away from him, she flicked her wrist. The door slammed against his hand. Bones snapped.
He groaned in pain.
“Oh God! I’m so sorry! Why did you have to make me angry?”
Next thing he knew, she stood close. “I deserved it.”
She blew her hair out of her face, then snapped, “Stop being so damned condescending.”
His beautiful witch reached for him. Well, for his hand, but still. The moment her hands touched his, a jolt of pleasure ran through him. The single touch comforted him more than anything or anyone in his entire existence, with the exception of Annie. Annie comforted him, a lot, but in a different way.
“Does it hurt?”
“No, not anymore,” he said, honestly.
“God, I’m so sorry. Didn’t anyone ever tell you never to make a witch mad?”
He chuckled. “No, can’t say anyone ever has.”
Her gaze pierced his, and she took a step away. Despite the pain, he tightened his hand around hers preventing her from releasing him.
“I’ve given you plenty of reasons to hate me, but don’t. I said things I didn’t mean and without considering how they’d sound to you. I don’t know you at all, but I want to. Annie likes you.” He shook his head. “Don’t be afraid of me. Don’t avoid me. You have every reason to, but please don’t.”
Her face softened. She nodded. “Okay, Jake.”
“I still feel horrible about it. Can I make it up to you? Maybe make you lunch or dinner or take you out to eat or perhaps a movie?” He hadn’t meant to ask her at that moment, but he was glad he did. The perfect excuse to spend time with her. He’d messed up and needed to befriend her before anything else happened between them.
Her cheeks tinted pink. “You don’t need to do that. I forgive you.”
“It’s the least I can do. I’ll make you lunch while you teach Annie that fishy braid…I mean the fishtail.”
She bit the side of her lip and smiled. “Fine, but only because you’ve exasperated me with your apologies.”
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