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There’s silence, but the answer is loud and clear. They did. They murdered people. Devon murdered Jace’s friend. I feel a crease in the middle of my forehead deepening. Wait, when did this happen? How didn't I know? My thoughts quickly flash back to our date when Jace’s sudden mood shift caused so much tension in him. I asked him, and he said it was pack business. Is this what he meant?
Devon killed to get to me. I shiver runs up my bones. I didn't know it was this bad, I thought it was another one of a complicated pack deal or something. Fucking Danika, she could have told me! I would have been scared, but at least I also would have been more careful. Is this why Jace has to leave home so soon? Because of Devon and the chaos he’s upbringing?
“They helped me because they know who has the power. If they’re on my side, they’re safe, protected and actually have a future. You can’t promise your pack that anymore. But I can.”
I flinch. Devon’s struck a nerve.
Jace shrugs. “Is there a real reason why you’re wasting my time?”
“I want to see Carli,” Devon demands again.
“No.”
“We’ll come in with or without your permission. You’re outnumbered.”
Jace’s body hardens. “Try me, Devon.”
“You’ll regret it. Move aside, and fetch Carli for me.”
“If you want to see her, you’ve got to get through me. And I promise you, once you cross the threshold, you’ll be beaten to a pulp.”
Devon opens his mouth, face red with anger as he prepares to spit out something else, but almost in slow motion, I watch as a perfectly manicured woman’s hand touches his arm. A figure slides out of the shadows and into the light to stand next to Devon.
“Let me take care of it, Devon. Jace will never lay a finger on me. In the end, I was almost his mate.”
For the second time today, I feel my stomach drop. My heart rate slows as I slide my gaze over Beth. She looks…healthy. Her skin is tanned and body full, there’s a light layer of makeup over her face and her hair has been meticulously styled. She grins at a shell-shocked Jace, and all at once the blood pumps to my head. I want to kill her just for looking at him. The amount of distress she’s caused him…the years of turmoil and stress and all those dramatics, and yet, here she is, siding with one of Jace’s enemies without shame.
When Beth takes a step into my home and puts a hand on Jace’s chest, I’m unable to keep myself in check any longer. My hand tightens on the pocketknife, growls vibrating in my chest. I’m ready to shift, pounce on Beth and claw her eyes out.
“Tell me where she is, Jace. I just want to have a little chat with her. You owe me that, at the very least.” Beth bats her eyes.
Jace blinks. I hate seeing him this way. The armor around him crumbling because he’s a good man and he feels guilty for all that he caused Beth to go through. It’s nothing compared to how much he’s endured for her, but Jace wouldn’t see it that way. I want to go full on momma bear on her, and protect what's mine. My family.
I step out of the shadows and walk slowly behind Jace. I stand next to him and take his hand in mine firmly, smirking as smugly as I can when I watch everyone’s gaze widen as they spot my swollen stomach.
Everyone except Devon, whose lips curl in disgust.
“You wanted to talk to me?” I tell Beth, shift to look at Devon, and every muscle hardens with fury. “You have five minutes.”
Chapter14
Jace
“What the fuck?” I raise my voice as soon as my shock disappears.
My mind is foggy with rage and confusion. A growl starts at the back of my throat, rumbling through my chest, and my hard stare fixes on Beth. I can’t believe there’s another person I would be angrier at other than Devon. But there she is, smiling sweetly at me. I’m trying hard not to puke across her ridiculously high shoes.
I concentrate on Carli instead. Putting my arm around her waist, drawing her closer to me before her control snaps.
“What are you doing here?” I ask Beth, swallowing all emotion and keeping a stoic face.
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” She sighs, laying her head on Devon’s shoulder and patting his chest.
Devon’s jaw clenches. My lips twitch when I realize he isn't a big fan of her touch. He’s just doing this to get a rise out of us.
“Devon here had a convincing argument,” Beth purrs. “I couldn’t say no when he asked if I would like a little revenge against my ex mate and his new lover. After all that hurt you brought me, Jace, I had to take something from you. And I want Carli’s blood under my fingernails.” She wiggles her fingers with a grin.
Beside me, Carli laughs. “Bring it on, bitch.”
