Page 118 of Healer’s Betrayal

She needs this, Jackson.

He turns to Garrett. “Let her go.”

Garrett meets his eyes, and it seems like they have an entire conversation in that one look. Garrett finally nods and looks at Jade. “I don’t like it, but we’ll let you go. But you have to agree to the rules we set.”

Jade nods. “I will.” The group continues talking, but Jade pulls me aside. “Thank you for whatever you did to get Jackson to push for this.”

I meet her gaze. “Are you sure?” I ask simply.

“Absolutely.”

“Okay. Then you’d better get packed; you have got an alpha to find.”

She grins and hugs me. “Stay in touch.”

“I will; I promise.” I watch her go and wonder if I made the right decision in swaying Jackson. But I get wanting to fight back. We all have to choose our own way, and if this is hers, then I’m going to help her all I can.

“Ready to go?” Jackson asks a minute later.

I nod. “Yes.” I look up at him. “I’m ready to get back to our life now.”

“Me too, Baby.” He kisses me and takes my hand in his as we make our way out of the building with Ransom and Martin following. We’re headed back to Oklahoma tomorrow morning. I’m not sure what the future looks like just yet, but I know with Jackson and Noah at my side, it’s all going to work out.

After

Kayla

I unlock the door to our apartment and freeze. Jackson puts a hand at my back and then steps past me. “Wait outside a moment.” His voice is all business. I step into the hallway and look at Noah.

“The apartment is a mess,” I explain to him, and he doesn’t say a word.

Jackson opens the door a moment later, and I can see the anger on his face. “It’s safe to come in.” I step inside and take in the damage. The sheets have been shredded, the cabinets all torn off their hinges and emptied, as well as the drawers. There’s nothing left undisturbed. “I’m sorry, Baby,” Jackson says, shaking his head.

“Vampires?” I ask him softly, knowing he’ll hear me.

He nods, his jaw tight. “I’ll replace everything,” he says, palming his neck.

“Jackson,” I say, stepping towards him and putting my hands on his chest. He instantly releases some of his tension. “It’s just stuff. I’ve got you and Noah; that’s all that matters.”

He wraps his arms around me again and pulls me close. His lips linger on mine for a few precious seconds, and then I lean against his chest and look at the mess. I give myself a minute to be held, and then I push away from him and grab several trash bags. “All right. Everybody gets a bag; let’s get to work.”

The three of us start cleaning the mess the vampires left behind. Almost an hour later, somebody knocks on the front door. I’m closest, so I open it. Shock runs through me when I see the guys from before, the ones that made me pay the extra three hundred dollars. I don’t even get a chance to make a sound before the guy grabs my arm painfully. “Sweetheart, you’re late.”

And then Jackson’s there. He moves faster than I’ve ever seen him before. Suddenly, both guys are pinned to the wall with a hand wrapped around each of their throats. I take that in as well as the fact that neither one of them is touching the ground. Shock rolls through me. I knew you were strong, Jackson; but this is next level.

He growls low in his chest, and both men hear it. “Please, Man,” the one that’s usually quiet says.

“Who are you?” Jackson demands.

The first guy starts to talk, and Jackson cuts him off. “Not you. You’re already dead for touching my mate.” The guy’s eyes widen, and I see his terror.

“No, please,” the normally quiet guy says. Jackson must realize that he’s not going to get anything out of them because he turns to me.

“Sweetheart?”

I walk over to the three of them after making sure to send Noah into the bathroom; I don’t want him here for this. “They showed up one day and said I owed an extra three hundred. Monthly,” I add.

Jackson’s eyes haven’t left mine, and I can see the wheels turning. “Is this scumbag the one who gave you the bruises you were wearing the first day we met?”