Page 37 of Clash of Sin and Secret

Jack raises an eyebrow while stirring something in a pot on the stove.

“And you’re okay with that?”

I nod, feeling the weight of my words settle into place. “I am. I was isolated and ignored my entire life. Having even one third of Scottie’s love is enough for me. I’m good.”

He turns, leaning against the counter, arms crossed over his chest. “From where I stand, after being shunned, you deserve so much more than that. You deserve everything—the whole enchilada.”

I chuckle. “As amusing as it is that you just equated the woman I love to a Mexican meat wrap, Scotland McCullough captured my heart from the first moment I laid eyes on her. My bear has claimed her and the magic in my cells sings when we’re together. It’s an intense connection—life-changing.”

Jack studies me for a moment before relaxing and returning his attention to his cooking. “I only asked because you deserve everything this life offers. I’m allowed to be a little protective, aren’t I?”

I grin at him, knowing exactly where this conversation is coming from. Jack missed out on a lot. My mother never told him about me because she respected his commitment to his duty to Francesco. What she didn’t realize was that he retired soon after I was conceived, and we could’ve been a family.

It’s tragic, but there’s nothing to be done about it.

Nothing except moving on from where we are.

“You are allowed to be protective, but you don’t need to be. You’ve known and loved Scotland her entire life. Are you saying you don’t think she’s amazing?”

“No. I’d never say that. Scotland is undeniably a one-in-a-million woman. My worry lies with you and what’s best for my son.”

“Scotland McCullough is who’s best for me.”

Jack gestures toward the chessboard by the window. “Then, since you’re mine for the night, how about a game?”

A smile spreads across my face as I move toward it. “Sounds great.”

As we settle in front of our pieces, I’m grateful for this moment of normalcy amid everything swirling around us: Scottie’s loss, Zane’s entitlement, Huntley’s brooding hostility—it’s all exhausting.

I glance at Jack as he contemplates his opening move. There’s wisdom etched in his features that comes from years of loyalty and experience.

“You know,” he says after a pause, fingers hovering over a knight before pulling back to adjust a pawn instead, “watching you with Scottie reminds me of what it was like when your mother and I first met.”

His admission surprises me. He doesn’t talk much about my mother. At first, he was angry to be left out of my life. Then, he was sad about her murder and felt helpless to make it right for her.

“What was it like?”

A faraway look fills Jack’s eyes as nostalgia takes hold. “She was fierce. With me only being there for two months while Francesco worked out a problem with a local vampire seethe, she and I were obviously no one’s idea of a perfect couple. Still, she took no shit from anyone—not even me.”

I smirk at that mental image—my mother giving him hell back in their day.

“She had this fire,” Jack continues, while maneuvering another piece across the board. “Even so, she always knew when to hold back—to let others shine without dimming their light.”

The corners of my mouth turn up. “I miss her so badly there are some days I can’t breathe.”

Jack nods knowingly before making his move—a calculated advance that signals he has lost none of his strategic prowess. “I see a lot of her in you. You have her spark. Just don’t lose that while navigating this relationship.”

The weight behind his words hits home. “I’ll be careful. But I need you to understand there’s something deep here—deeper than magic and sexual attraction. Scottie is the breath in my lungs.”

I watch Jack’s expression, wondering if he’ll downplay my feelings by pointing out it’s been less than three weeks and that I might be in over my head. I don’t need him to say it. I’m well aware.

Instead, he smiles. “I’m behind you, son. You’ve waited long enough to find your place among those who care about you. Just remember, Zane and Huntley can be aggressive and a bit of a closed loop. If you want to truly be part of Scotland’s life, you’ll need to build an understanding with the two of them, too.”

His words resonate and it’s nothing I hadn’t considered myself.

With each calculated move we make on the chessboard, I consider his advice. How do I build trust and friendship with Zane and Huntley? Because if that’s the way to best ensure a future with Scottie, I’ll do whatever it takes to make it happen.

Huntley

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