Page 51 of Siege of Blood and Betrayal

Her gaze falls to where Zane is kneeling over Jack on the couch. Her warring emotions are like an acrid cocktail singeing my nostrils when she looks at him.

That’s none of my business. She’s a capable female and can make her own choices.

When she turns to look at me, the crease between her brows smooths out and she gives me a sad smile. “Even if you could turn back time, I wouldn’t let you. In those last minutes, I saw my father fighting the fight. He was brave and died what he considered a death of honor. He followed his best friend into the after, and he told me he loved me.”

“You’re lucky to have that.” Zane joins us, his expression hard and cold. “I got to watch my father beheaded alive from the security feed I downloaded from a safe house.”

Scotland flinches and I fist my hands. Does he not realize that it’s as hurtful for her as it is to him?

Movement on the couch breaks the grief of the moment as Scotland sees my father waking up. “Oh, Jack.”

Her whispered gasp has him turning his head and forcing one eye open enough to see her. “It looks worse than it feels, kid.”

“I doubt that very much.”

I chuckle. “No. He’s telling the truth. He smoked a very potent blend of Haze right before you arrived and then had some premium vamp healing. He’s likely feeling no pain.”

Scotland pegs me with a look, her brows raised. “When you said he was doped up, you weren’t kidding.”

“Lesson one about me, beautiful. I only speak the truth.”

“And with him incapacitated, were you holding the cigarette for him? Because there’s no way he could lift his arms.”

I hold up my palms, unrepentant. “What Jack wants, Jack shall have. And since he feels better and will now heal up fully, let’s take that as a win.”

She chuckles. “Well, I won’t fault you for wanting to feel no pain.”

“That’s my girl,” Jack says.

She sits on the coffee table in front of the couch and shakes her head. “I should’ve stayed and fought. I’m sorry.”

“No, you did the right thing.”

“But with Tucker and I there, you wouldn’t have ended up beaten to a pulp.”

“And the Vasari Sacred Squire might be dead, leaving Zane to never know the honor of being protected by you. No. You did the right thing. All is as it’s meant.”

It’s just like Jack to wax philosophical about things.

Still, I understand her guilt—hell, I share it.

Dad shifts his head a touch and finds me standing there. “You got to safety and sent Tuck back. That made all the difference. If he hadn’t tracked me down, I might’ve kicked it behind the dumpster, and no one would’ve found me until I was stinking up the alley. You did your part.”

Even the thought of that makes my stomach whorl.

I grunt. “I didn’t have to track you. I just followed the trail of dead vampires.”

“Good riddance,” Jack mumbles.

“You’re tired.” Scottie leans over him, searching for a spot of skin that isn’t cut, bruised, or swollen. In the end, she kisses her own finger and then touches his neck. “Feel better, old man. I’m glad you’re not dead.”

“Right back at you, kid. We’ll start your training the minute I get back on my feet.”

She flashes him a tight smile and her scent spikes with guilt and sadness. What’s that about?

“We’ll circle back around to that once you stop bleeding every time you move. For right now, rest. When you’re better, Zane and I will take you back to the safe house where we’re staying.”

Zane stiffens. “What? Why?”

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