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“You don’t have to—”
“I want to. You love me so much that even the essence of my blood can stop you using your full strength. I love you more than life itself, and…” she hesitated, biting her lip, “… would you like to have a family with me? A baby?”
“Are you kidding?” Cade pulled her against him, making her grunt before giving a watery chuckle. “I’dloveto have a baby with you.”
“Good…” she whispered, clinging to his back, “… because I’m already pregnant.”
Cade made a sound somewhere between a growl and a moan before laughing and pressing his lips to hers. My chest ached as I watched, and I was happy for them. Cade was a better human than me, and he was probably a better demon than me too. He had chosen his mate well, and their bond would last. I could tell from the way they clung to each other.
There was the screaming of tires outside a moment before the pounding of feet as Frank came storming into the building. His nostrils were flared, and I could tell he was checking out the situation from the smell alone—blood, fear, more blood, and… a near change. His eyes honed in on mine, and I didn’t look away, giving him a quick nod of acknowledgment.
Frank growled openly and harshly, but before I bothered to speak to explain something that could wait, I bundled Jacob into my arms, and any lecture Frank was about to give me about releasing my desires to control my demon died on his lips. Without a word, he turned and went back to his car, indicating for me to follow.
Ilsa rolled her shoulders. “Damn, all this fucked-up family shit is making me rethink lunch with my mom next week.”
Ray’s eyebrows shot up. “You’re having lunch with your mom?”
“Yeah.” Ilsa’s smile was sly with a hint of shyness I’d never seen from her before. “It’s been too long. Besides, I thought it was time she met my wife.”
“We’re not married.”
“Bonded… same thing.”
Ray was looking at Ilsa with such intensity I turned away as Ray whispered something aboutconsummating the marriage,and I didn’t need to hear any more. Briefly, I faced Emrick. “Thank you,” I muttered, feeling I barely deserved his help, but I was glad he did what he did, if only for Jacob’s sake. “For everything.”
Emrick lifted a shoulder. “I’ll be in touch. You can owe me.”
I didn’t want to mention that he had also wanted Tate killed and that we were working together, nor did I mention that Emrick had insisted on coming along, and I hadn’t asked or dragged him. But that was a conversation for another day.
“I’ll come see you for our bonus! Pretty sure I broke a nail shutting off the lights,” Ray called before grunting as I can only assume Ilsa punched her for saying such a thing when I was carrying Jacob’s unconscious body. I almost felt like smiling, another perfect bonded couple, well chosen, well suited. Maybe they would get married as well and have the human and demon bonds cemented. That would be nice for them.
But that life wasn’t for me.
Footsteps behind me indicated everyone was going their separate ways, back to their own lives with their partners. Ray and Ilsa, probably hand in hand, and Cade and Nikki, likewise. Emrick back to his wife, Cara.
A life I would never have.
I would need to let Jacob go.
Frank had to sweet talk the nurse to allow me sit with Jacob for a little while as I wasn’t next of kin, and she giggled and flushed under his ministrations. Any other day, I would have chuckled at the idea he was going to go home smelling like another woman, and no matter how subtle the scent, Charlotte would pick up on that and tear into him. She knew he would never cheat. That wasn’t the issue, as even a human woman bonded to a demon becomes territorial, and the enhanced sense of smell makes even being near those of the opposite sex a trial.
I waited by Jacob’s bedside until he started to come around. It would have felt wrong to simply dump him in the Emergency Room and leave, and also cowardly. The least I could do was explain to him why he wouldn’t be seeing me anymore and why I simply couldn’t fall in love again.
“Mike…” Jacob’s voice was weak, and I shushed him gently as I brushed his cheek, watching my hand carefully for any sign of the change, but there was none. It turns out heartbreak is a decent suppressant as well.
“Shh… just rest. You’re safe now. You’re in the hospital.”
His head tilted in an attempt to nod, and then he simply watched me. I wanted to convey everything I needed to say without words, but it was impossible when what I saw in his eyes was hope.
He couldn’t hope, not for me, not for us.
I swallowed heavily. “Jacob… we can’t see each other again.” He frowned, pouted, and tried to speak again. “No,” I cut him off, leaning back slightly from the bed, already beginning to put distance between us as if I could trick myself into thinking that would make this easier. “Look what I created when I bonded with Tate. Whatever he was before me, he was only worse after. I caused him so much pain, and I can’t do that to you.”
“Do I get any say in this?” The defiance in his tone struck me, and I wanted to smile but couldn’t find it within myself to do so.
“No,” I muttered, brushing his cheek with my thumb, recoiling my hand as if burned. I shouldn’t touch him—every touch was false hope I couldn’t offer him. “I’m a demon, and I’m better off alone.”
“But you love me, my blood…”
