by Janie Marie
Jason frowned, not liking that his son was concerned about David. Neither Nathan nor Natalie seemed affected by his own gunshot wounds, so it hurt they’d be worried about another man and not their own father. They’d been crying as they watched Jane scream like a mad woman while she hovered over David.
“Yeah, he’s going to be fine,” he said, shaking his head. He didn’t want to feel jealous about his kids caring about the man who saved their mom—and who saved Nathan. Jason was at least grateful for those good acts from David.
“He . . . Mommy happy. Mommy happy.” That was all Nathan said before closing his eyes and falling fast asleep again.
Jason stared at his son for a moment before returning to Jane and David. The immortal now held her closer, cradling her head as his lips practically rested on the top of her head, all while Jane smiled in her sleep with her hand still wedged between them, right over David’s heart.
Jason didn’t know how to feel about Nathan’s words. Sure, Jane seemed depressed most of the time, but she mostly kept her cries hidden from the kids or told them she was sick. He didn’t think they thought she was unhappy—enough for Nathan to point out that this man they’d just met made her happy.
Jason groaned, running his hand down his face before scooting Natalie over to lie down.
His mind raced over his life with Jane, trying to identify a time she looked genuinely happy—where she had laughed and smiled like he had seen her do with David and the other men—but fatigue won, and he was asleep before he could think about everything he’d just discovered.
Warm and loved. That was how Jane felt as she woke up. With her eyes still closed, she smiled, nuzzling the chest her head rested against as she basked in David’s scent.
She remembered what had happened, which made the steady sound of his breaths and the strong beat of his heart even sweeter to hear.
His fingers gently massaged her scalp, and his bicep flexed right next to her face. All she had to do was turn for her lips to brush against his skin. Having moved his other arm under her head, he had her completely engulfed in his arms.
She smiled, sliding her fingers over his chest. He was alive. He had been willing to die for her son, but he was alive. He had kept his promise to her, and he didn’t leave.
She shifted on the cot to get closer when his hand holding her head moved to the side of her face. She smiled wider. He had woken up, and he was giving her that beautiful smile of his. She didn’t know how long they stared at each other, and she didn’t care. He was there, his heat seeping into her at every part of them that touched.
“Hi, baby.” He caressed her cheek with his thumb.
She sighed as he pushed her hair back. “Hi.”
“You feel okay?”
“I’m fine.” She slipped her hand between them to touch his cheek. “I was so scared.”
“I know, but I’m going to be fine.” He smiled, tilting his face against her palm. “Thanks to you. My baby kicked ass, didn’t she?” He laughed when her face heated up. “I’m proud of you. You saved all of us . . . So much power and such a beautiful heart. So brave.”
“I had help. Some military plane and helicopters came when I couldn’t hold them back anymore.”
He nuzzled her hand again and sighed. “One day you will truly accept it when someone praises you. And it’s okay to have help, Jane. Who better than our human allies?”
“Humans?”
“Most are ex-military from around the world that we’ve acquired over the years, though there are a few active-duty. They’re descendants of families we have developed relationships with. They run our flight missions since we need daytime soldiers. Each team has two immortals, but they rely on the humans to carry out daytime assaults.”
“That’s pretty cool.” She slid her hand to hold his neck. “I always wanted to be in a battle with planes and choppers.”
He chuckled, running his thumb over her lip. “Really?”
She shivered, trying to concentrate on answering him. “I didn’t know what was happening. What’s a Spooky?”
He looked confused for a moment, then smiled. “It’s a call sign for an AC-130U, the plane you probably saw. They are used for Close Air Support. If we get swarmed, and we are facing more than just infected humans, it’s best for us to have them there. We lost radio contact with them yesterday—Arthur didn’t think they received our message. I’m glad they did.”
She knew she had the biggest grin on her face. “It was so awesome.”
David chuckled, pulling her closer so he could kiss her forehead. She sighed, lowering her arm to hug him. Her fingers touched the edges of his healing wounds. He flinched but said nothing.
“They were really archangels?” she asked, moving her hand to where she knew he didn’t have a wound.
“They didn’t tell you who they were?” he asked.
“No, they did. Well, I could hear them in my head, and they said they were Michael and Gabriel. They just told me how to remove the silver with my abilities.”
“I see.” He began to play with her hair. “Well, from what I understand, unless immortal or bonded with one, it is devastating to hear them speak aloud. They were likely protecting the others on the plane from hearing or even seeing them. I believe it can kill a mortal. I’ve heard there are some who can use a glamour and alter their speech, but you saw them in their true form.”
“Oh. What did Michael tell you?”
He stared into her eyes for a while and kissed her forehead again. “He said our time together will not last.”
Her heart clenched.
“He said there are many secrets surrounding your creation and”—David kissed her forehead again—“and to be cautious around you. He, like myself, does not understand why certain events have unfolded the way they have.”
“I’m sorry, David.” She felt like crying, but she was trying to remain in control of herself.
“No, I don’t understand why things have turned out as they have either, but I’m not walking away.”
“But even Michael is unsure,” she said.
“He has been kept in the dark because of his bond with me. But he has faith in us—just like I do. No matter what happens, we will face it together. I will not leave you.”
She hugged him. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For being you. For keeping your promise.”
“Always, baby.” He chuckled. “Thank you for not giving up on me.”
She hugged him more. “Death didn’t come.”
“Well, maybe he knew I would not die. Maybe he knew you would save me.”
She bit her lip, thinking about that for a second. “Don’t make excuses for him.”
David grinned, pulling her against him more. “As much as I enjoy you being more pleased with me than him, I do not want to be the reason you are upset with him. I’m not important to Death. I do not think he is capable of caring for anyone but you.”
A part of her loved that about Death, but she was still heartbroken that he’d let her go through something so horrible just because it was David.
“He could have come back,” she muttered. “The archangels did. They might not have been able to save you, but they still came when I prayed for your life.”
She felt David’s smile on the top of her head before he kissed her hair. “Do not be angry with him, my love. I would not expect him to come to my aid. He has shown that he will not be the one to spare another, unless that person is you.” David breathed in deeply and sighed. “I am safe, and I’m happy it was you who saved me. So do not hold anger in your heart over this. I know it hurts you not to have him, but I know it will hurt you more to think the way you are now. Focus on your accomplishment. Had he come and saved me, you would not have become my brave girl.”
“I’m glad you’re okay,” she whispered against his chest as she chose to listen to David’s advice.
“Me too,” he said, caressing her hair and kissing her forehead again.
>
She closed her eyes and hugged him tighter. “David?”
“Yes, baby?”
She smiled because she truly loved hearing him call her that, but her heart was hurting more with each second. “I’m an awful person. I haven’t even checked on my kids or Jason . . . And now I’m too afraid to turn around. Jason knows—they know—that I’m a monster.”
“You’re not a monster.” He pulled her head back so they could see each other. “I kept Nathan shielded for the most part, and I don’t know how much Natalie saw, but Jason saw you fight bravely to protect all of us. I saw his injuries before I passed out—they were superficial.”
“God, I forgot I saw him being bandaged. Is he awake?”
David responded without looking over. “He is.”
“Oh, no.” She closed her eyes. “He’s been watching?”
“He woke shortly after we did.”
“I’m the worst person in the world. How can I be like this? If it’s not Death I’m hurting you with, it’s with you I’m hurting Jason.”
David moved his hand to the back of her neck as he stared into her eyes. “You are not the worst person in the world. You are dealing with more than any person should, and from what I’ve learned about you, that is always the case. So what if you actually put your needs first? Everyone can do what’s best for themselves, but you have this belief that everything has to be for others—that you don’t matter at all.” He shook his head, adding, “You matter as much as all of us do. And you were only worried about me. He may not like it, but even he should understand that you would not just walk away from me at that moment.”
“But I didn’t even check on him, David.”
He sighed. “You’re not mortal, Jane. You are not always going to think like one. No matter how much you stay the same, your instincts are often going to drive your actions when under stress. It takes years to control the urges we have because of what we’ve been made into.
“Your past and connection with Death is understandable. Jason doesn’t understand it, but I am trying to. So, when you hold onto him for comfort and whatever else you have with him, I know there’s a reason for it. And as my Other, your instincts told you to help me. I’m sure somewhere in your mind, you sought out enough information to accept that Jason and your children were not in danger once you got on the plane. You felt the need to make sure I was safe. It’s only your instincts.”
“It’s more than that,” she said too quickly.
They stared at each other for a moment before he smiled. “It’s more for me as well.”
Jane’s eyes watered, and he pulled her close again, resting his chin on the top of her head.
“I can’t hurt him, David. He’s my husband—and a part of me still loves him. He’s done things that hurt me, but I—”
“I know.”
“I’m hurting him right now, and I’m too terrified to face him. I’ve always been afraid that I ruined his life by getting close to him. I’ve always believed he deserved better than me. I would wish I never existed just so he could be happy with someone else. But he put up with me. I’ve always feared losing him, losing all of them. But the biggest fear is that it would be me who caused it. Now I am.”
“I doubt he thinks you ruined his life,” David murmured. “And I know for certain you not existing would only lessen the greatness in his life.”
She scoffed. “You don’t know me yet, David—I’m a freaking mess.”
He pressed his lips against her hair, and she cried because she hated the thought of him knowing the real her.
“You will see yourself the way I do one day, my love. All I can do is promise you that I see no mess when I look at you—no monster or burden.”
She sobbed quietly as she pressed her face against his chest.
“I see beauty surrounded by darkness.”
She sniffed. “Quit being so sweet.”
He chuckled, hugging her. “What do you want to do, Jane?”
She didn’t answer, but ever so slowly, she pulled away from him and peeked over her shoulder. The plane was quiet, and it seemed almost everyone was asleep. Everyone, except Jason.
When she and Jason finally made eye contact, reality truly sank in. She was married. She was still Jason’s wife, and he was the reason why she fought so hard against her longing for David. Even if she felt Death was the man she should have been loyal to, Jason was the man she married. And she had cheated on him.
A breath rushed out of her mouth. Jane looked away from Jason’s heartbroken gaze and back at David.
David stared at Jason for a few seconds before returning his attention back to her. He placed his hand against the side of her face as she struggled not to cry. There was so much adoration in those blue eyes of his. She wanted to stare at them every day, but she knew this was it for them.
“I can’t hurt him,” she whispered.
David sighed and pressed his lips on her forehead. The sweet kiss lasted for a few seconds, and he left his lips against her skin as he said, “I love you.”
She sobbed softly, reaching up to hold his wrist.
He kissed her again, still leaving his lips in place. “I understand.”
“David,” she said, clutching his wrist tighter when he finally began to move back. She didn’t want this, but she had to do what was right by Jason.
He met her gaze and smiled sadly. She couldn’t stop herself from touching the corner of his mouth. His smile was magic for her.
“Before I fell asleep,” he said softly, not moving his face away from her hand, “I heard Arthur explaining what we are to him. Jason knows, and he does not think you’re a monster—he doesn’t want to give you up. You don’t have to fear going back to him, but you both have to understand that you cannot be like you were before.” He kissed her fingers. “I think you should wait a while before attempting to be alone together—and before you resume having sex.”
“We won’t have sex, David,” she whispered quickly.
“Jane, if you try to remain husband and wife, you will most likely resume a physical relationship. I only want you to hold off on resuming sexual activity. It’s too dangerous, and I would hate to see you destroy yourself because you hurt him by accident.”
She shook her head. “That’s not why, David.”
He was silent for a moment. “You do not have to worry about my feelings, Jane. I love you—only you—but I was not the man you fell in love with or married. I’m not angry at you for any of that. And if you want things to work out between you two, I understand. I have no right to you, so I will step aside. All I will add is that I am here, should you need me. Though I feel it will be hard for you and me to remain close under the circumstances.” He sighed as he glanced around the plane. “I will still be here—I’m not going anywhere, but I will talk to the others about helping out. It will only cause tension to have Jason and me with you at the same time.”
“No, David—I need you. I just—”
“I know. Believe me, baby, I wish the situation was different, but I cannot be the other man. If you wish to end your marriage to him, I will be here. Until then, I will do my best to be there for you in any way you need me.” He moved again, grunting as he continued to sit up.
“David.” Jane whimpered as she quickly sat up too.
He smiled, squeezing her hand. “I’m all right.”
Jane peeked over her shoulder briefly before turning back to David. Her lips quivered, and she probably looked like a complete mess as she stared at his handsome face. “I’m sorry, David.”
He lifted her hand, kissed it, and then held it to his cheek for a moment before kissing it once more. “There is no reason to be sorry. You are only doing what you think will make your family happy. I love you even more because you are so selfless.” He squeezed her hand. “I only wish you would realize your happiness matters, too.”
He let go of her hand and reached out to wipe her tears away. “You shouldn’t cry over me in front of your children anymor
e. I am sure they are confused over what they saw happen.”
She nodded, agreeing. She didn’t know how she was going to explain anything to them.
He stared into her eyes for a long time. “You should feed before you go to them. You are still pale.”
She glanced at Jason again; he hadn’t moved at all.
“I will keep an eye on you,” he said with a small smile. “I will step in when you need me to, but you should enjoy being back with your family.”
After he finished speaking, Arthur appeared behind them with a glass of blood. She figured he must have been listening to them.
She took the drink, keeping her eyes on David as she drank it down. It tasted bitter and cold. She wanted to spit it out as a part of her screamed to only feed from the man staring at her.
Finally finished, she handed it back to Arthur.
Arthur took it and spoke softly as he reached out to caress her hair. “It’s going to be all right, Jane. I admire you for putting your family first. Just remember, they will only be happy if you are. And do not forget, you cannot be alone with them. It may seem like we do not trust you, but we are only doing what we can to keep them safe.”
Jane nodded, feeling him move away to leave her alone with David.
“We should not have gotten close,” she told David.
“Jane.”
Even though it wasn’t a mean tone from him, it hurt, and she flinched as if she’d been slapped. She wasn’t sweetheart or baby now—just Jane. Her eyes watered, but she held in her tears this time.
“Don’t ever regret a moment between us.” He took her hand again, gently squeezing it. “This is why I must stay away—because I never want you to look back and regret something more happening between us. We both know what happens when we touch . . . Do you understand?”
She did understand, but it didn’t stop her from wishing she could have done things differently somehow. She had known she would lose him. Maybe it wasn’t from being shot or from her killing him herself, but she was losing him. The pain ripping at her chest could have been prevented if she had never opened her heart to him.
“I understand,” she said.