“Say nothing else,” Birdie says as she places a hand to my back.
The entire mood changes.
Their eyes are strong, stern, yet forgiving.
They understand what I’m saying without me saying it.
“You’re not used to it,” Maz says. “The dark truth of who we all are. The version of justice that all our families abide by.”
“But Seth isn’t…” I say.
“That’s something you’ll have to deal with at a different time,” Birdie says.
“Accept what?” I ask.
“Jaci, you know Seth pretty well, right?” Maz asks.
I nod. “Yes.”
“You know this isn’t his first time…”
“I know,” I whisper.
“Then let it go,” she says.
“Maz is right,” Birdie says. “This is something we all have to just deal with. You didn’t get this way when Archer handled a situation for me. Remember?”
How could I forget? It felt like it was just yesterday…
“You have feelings for Seth,” Maz says. “Strong feelings. Different than what you have for Cullen and Archer.”
“It’s just because I’ve known him longer,” I say. “Nothing else.”
“Yeah right,” Birdie says. “But whatever you say.”
I stand up. “It’s everything! Okay? It’s fucking everything! Every single fucking time I try to fit in here and try to catch my breath something else happens. I want to know who my fucking family is and what my destiny is. I need to prepare for it. I need to know what’s next. And the constant fucking threats and violence, murder and…”
“Sex,” Birdie says.
“Sex,” I whisper. “They’re everywhere and I can’t help myself.”
“Then enjoy it,” Maz says. “You have more than you realize, Jaci. It’ll all come together.”
“You know what? I’m going to find Archer right now. And I’m going to tell him to tell me who my family is. And if he has the balls to actually kill me, then fuck it. I don’t care anymore.”
Maz and Birdie lunge for me as I open the door to leave.
I walk right into Archer.
He’s still standing there.
He never actually left.
“Ican either stand here the entire night or come keep you safe.”
His voice is deep. Angry.
He heard everything I just said.