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“Atonement. Revenge. Penance,” Jagger says, agreeing with Crew. “I can think of a lot of words and not a single one would hold the meaning ofregret.”
This isn't the path I wanted this conversation to take. “Okay. We’re getting ahead of ourselves here. Does my secret—my blood—change anything between us?”
“No,” Crew says while Jagger shakes his head. “And I agree with your parents, no one else needs to know about this.”
Jagger gets serious, placing his hands on my shoulders, while he slouches down. “You can’t tell anyone else because if this gets out to the wrong person, life as you know it will be over.”
The reality of his words hit like a sharp knife to the chest. “What about Neo’s dad?”
“Something tells me your dad will handle Sebastian just fine.”
I nod in response, hoping like hell he’s right. “Can we go home now?”
Jagger pulls my head to his chest, cradling it. “Yeah. Let’s go home.”
ChapterTwenty-Six
JAGGER
Right now Scarhas a lot going on. She’s confused about her feelings. Struggling with her identity. And helping us solve the mystery surrounding us all. We’ve got a guy, who could potentially be her brother, tied up in the tunnels. We’ve got Maddie hiding in a bedroom. I don’t think things could possibly get worse for any of us. On a good note, Scar agreed to stay away from Neo as much as possible, so Crew and I have that in our favor.
But at what cost do we have to pay? Her happiness? I mean, come on. There’s no way in hell Scar thinks Neo is anything but a selfish prick. He’s my best friend and I’ll even admit that. Hell, Neo would admit that himself. After everything the guy has done to Scar, we should hate him. In fact, we should’ve got rid of his ass a long time ago. We let him stay, though. We keep him in our circle because, one: we made a pact; and two: Crew and I know who Neo was before his life went to hell. He’s had a rough go at life and the more people that push him away, the worse off he’ll be.
Looking at Scar now as her head is resting on my chest, her legs flung over Crew’s while he snores, I can’t help but feel bad for making her choose. Who am I to deny her happiness if Neo can give it to her in the same way we do? All three of us guys have always been close. I’m not sure I’ve ever gone a single day without talking to one of them.
What the hell am I thinking? Scar doesn’t even want Neo. And even if she did, it doesn’t mean he wants her back.
With my chin to my chest, I look down at her tired wide eyes as she stares off, lost in thought.
“Hey,” I say, tipping her chin slightly with my thumb, “whatcha thinking about?”
She gives me a lopsided smile and says, “Everything.”
“You wanna talk about it?”
Her head rests back down again, and she curls closer, squeezing me tighter. When her legs move a couple inches, sliding across Crew’s who’s on the other side of her, he snorts in his sleep. I swear I’ve never heard anyone snore as loud as this fucker. I’m not sure how Scar deals with this shit a couple nights a week.
Scar chuckles, and suddenly, his snoring isn’t so bad. Can’t be if it brings her a sliver of happiness.
“Do you really think my secret will be safe? That no one will find out?”
“Babe,” I tip her chin again, desperate to look in her eyes, “is that what you’re worried about?”
She blinks away the tear drops on her lashes. “It’s a big thing. If this got out to The Elders in other chapters, there’s no way I wouldn’t be abolished. I’m a product of vengeance.”
“Think about it, Scar. If the Becketts had this master plan all these years to break our bloodlines, do you really think they only succeeded with you? There’s probably dozens of members who aren’t who they think they are, or who they say they are. You’re still you. Still Scarlett Sunder.”
Scar lifts her head, her chin pressed firmly to my chest. “You’re right. I never thought of it that way.” I lean forward, pressing my lips to hers, grateful that I could give her some peace of mind.
“Not to mention,” I continue, “Sebastian hates the Becketts as much as we all do. He won’t share your secret because he doesn't want to give them that power. If anything, he just wants to use it to hurt your family. You don’t have to worry. He’s had years to out you. If he hasn’t done it now, he doesn't intend to.”
The partial grin on her face tells me my words have helped calm her down. “I love you,” she says softly against my lips.
“I love you, too. And I want you to know, I was never gonna let you go when you pushed me and Crew away.”
Her chin moves against my chest with each word she says, her heart beating into my side. “I was never planning to let you guys go either. I can barely breathe without you.”
“No more boxing with my heart, though. Okay? That shit hurts.”
