Total pages in book: 203
Estimated words: 199654 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 998(@200wpm)___ 799(@250wpm)___ 666(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 199654 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 998(@200wpm)___ 799(@250wpm)___ 666(@300wpm)
“You don’t need to bullshit me, all right? Just understand she’s my sister…”
“When do I bullshit you, Grey?” I demanded, insulted. “It’s on something she’s wearing.”
He blew out a hard exhale, looking remorseful.
“You’re right. I apologize. I just… this is Bailey!”
“Yeah, believe me, shits me too. I’ve never, not once looked at your sister that way. That would’ve been a betrayal to you as far as I was concerned and it just didn’t cross my mind because she sorta felt like family to me, too. Until she didn’t. She keeps givin’ me the slip and at least I’m not coming outta my skin like I was because when I follow my nose, I smell me on her.”
The hint of my scent mixed with the fragrance of her skin is nowhere near enough. Now that I’m smelling a bit of it, I want to bathe her in it. Coat her skin with it, as well as every article of clothing that touches her body.
I snickered. “I didn’t mean to do that, so let’s label it like that painter dude on TV … a happy little accident.”
Grey rolled his eyes. “I know me and Dad’ll feel better when it’s official and we can get the fuck past this part because it’s got us in this weird place of protectiveness for both of you and also the desire to rip your nuts off. I relate to you as an alpha but then there’s the older brother thing and older brother is edging the other out.”
I’m sure he’d find it easier to get on board if my mark was on her neck.
“Man, you’re the head of the coven. If anyone can make this shit stop, I’d think it’d be you.”
He shook his head. “Like I told you, I’m a figurehead for the coven and day-to-day they work without me. They’ll only bring me in when they need to. So I’ve stayed out of it with them.”
“Well if they try to extend this shit tomorrow, I sure hope you’ll be on my side.”
He raised his hands like he doesn’t want to touch the situation with a ten-foot pole. “This is my coven, my sister, and you – my best buddy and council brother. This isn’t fun for anybody, Jase.”
“Except your cousin Danica,” I mutter.
“Naw, don’t think so. Don’t know her super-well yet, but I sense this is for Bailey. Dani’s championing her. I’m not getting a kick out of the Jase and Bailey show like some of the other pack members are. So I’ll be there tomorrow to support you and my sister, but know that whatever happens, I’ve got to stay out of it.”
“For real?”
“I have to. I’ll stay out of it if she comes to me for help, too, brother.”
“Pack members are getting a kick out of this shit?” I asked.
“A lot of the females in the pack are rooting for her, saying you treated her bad and you’re a player who doesn’t deserve her, especially when she hasn’t had the chance to sow any wild oats of her own. Some think you should work for it and grovel for a while. Others are on your side, but bro… that group is smaller.”
I’m not thrilled Grey won’t make this shit stop, but I guess I get it.
***
“Get there fast in case she makes headway with her petition,” my father suggests.
“Not much I can do until tomorrow night when they make a decision about whether or not they’re gonna extend the spell so I can’t claim her, Pops.”
“If she presents that petition to them, there’s a good chance they’ll give her more time so she can be heard, son. I suggest you come up with a plan.”
He’s right. I can’t have the coven giving her more time. I’ll lose my fuckin’ mind.
“What would you do?”
“You heard your mother and I didn’t have an easy time in the early days,” he says.
“You say that like it’s easy now,” I volley.
He smiles. “Things are great with us.”
“Coulda fooled me with the way you two bicker.”
“Banter,” he corrects. “Playful teasing is all. You’ve teased Bailey for years, son. I’ve heard it myself and never hear you teasing anyone else the way you do with her.”
I frown. Yeah, I’ve always been playful with Bailey. She’s now acting like it was all cruel.
“It was always that way with me and your mother. Pissed off her best friend that I was dating. That banter translates well when we’re alone, let me tell you. Sometimes I rile that woman up so tight, when she unfurls…” He gives me a big grin loaded with innuendo as he elbows my gut.
“Fuck, Pops, that’s my ma you’re talkin’ about.”
He laughs and slaps my back. “And your little lady has been crazy about you for years. I know you’ve got a lot of folks with faith in you, son, but gotta tell you, hearing she’s yours after watchin’ that little thing look at you like you can do anything you set your mind to has been a treat. Fix it, Jason. Only you can do that. Fix whatever you broke and then enjoy havin’ a life with someone who is gonna be the ideal person for you. She’s a great girl who adores you and like you, she’d do anything for this pack. I think Fate did a great job.”