Page 41 of Phantom’s Mate

The fire of anger died, leaving cold ash behind it. “And then she’ll be gone.”

“Ah, fuck,” Brandon said. He gave a defeated sigh. “If it’s worth anything, I understand how hard this is, trying to make someone’s life better even when you know it means you might lose them. I’ve been there.”

“Yeah. Except you got your happily ever after, didn’t you? I called you when I was in trouble, and you took your sweet fucking time coming, and I died, and what did you get?”

He turned back to face Brandon, who looked shocked. Nick went brutally, “You got everything you ever wanted. Your true mate. A crew of your own. And all I got was halfway into it, never really able to be a part of anything. The only one who’s never going to have a mate.”

Britt is our mate, his panther said.

What?

Nick froze. Brandon was talking, touching Nick’s arm and trying to get through to him. Nick shook him off.

What did you say? he asked his panther.

Britt. The good-smelling human. She is our true mate.

Fuck.

Ignoring Brandon and pulling himself further into the spirit world, Nick focused on somewhere far, far away.

And went there.

Chapter 19

When Nick got back to the cabin, Britt could immediately sense that something was really wrong. “What is it?” she asked immediately. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

He was not fine. He wouldn’t even make eye contact with her. “Seriously? We’re doing that? You’re obviously upset about something.”

He snapped, “It’s nothing, okay? Not everything is all about you.”

She felt like he’d slapped her. Britt stepped back, not knowing what to say.

He gave a sigh and raked his fingers through his hair. “I’m sorry. You didn’t deserve that.”

She asked carefully, “Your note said that Brandon and the others had a lead. Did it pan out?”

He still wasn’t looking directly at her. “Not really. They talked to Chaaaaz.” The mocking way he said Chaz’s name made Britt suspect he’d been with them when they did it. That must be where he’d gone.

“What did he say?”

Nick’s lip curled. “That the memories were too painful to talk about, because the two of you were so much in love when you died.”

Brittany felt her eyes get wide. He did not. “That little pecker.”

Nick looked up, startled, and met her eyes. They looked at each other for a minute, and then they both started to laugh.

He said, “I wasn’t going to say it, but yeah.” He leaned his hips against the counter in the kitchenette. “The bad news is, he never had your purse or your locket. Neither one was ever found. And he’s already gotten rid of your research and your computer, which I assume is where the information about your sister was stored?”

“Yeah. Right there with the dick inspectors. I guess they’re both gone now.”

“Don’t worry.” He reached out and barely touched her shoulder. “Remy is a wizard with computers, and he’s an excellent hacker. He’ll find your sister.”

Why was he barely touching her? Had Chaz said something? “Thanks,” she said. “I hope so. I just… I really wanted to give her the locket.”

“I know. But if you can’t, you can write another letter to her, right? You might not be able to hand-write it—it takes a lot of practice to control a pen with your mind—but you could do it on one of the Wild Bloods’ computers. And they could deliver it. Get her in touch with your cousins.”