Page 113 of Bria and the Tiger

“It almost killed your father when you got sick. Do you know that?”

“What? What are you talking about?”

She leaned against the counter, tears starting to drip down her face. “Jonah’s death was very difficult on him. When you got sick, the stress was too much, and he had a heart attack.”

Jace staggered backward. The meat was starting to burn, and he watched numbly as his mother shut the burner off and moved the pan to a different burner. “Dad had a heart attack?”

“Yes.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because you weren’t doing well yourself. You were still struggling, and your dad didn’t want to worry you.”

“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me.”

“We wanted to protect you.” Velma squeezed his arm. “What happens if this Bria breaks up with you? What if you spiral down again? Your father wouldn’t survive another heart attack.”

He was being suffocated by guilt. His father had almost died because of him, and he’d had no fucking idea.

“Mom, I didn’t know. I…”

“We can’t lose you too, honey. I know you like her, but you need more time. Give it another year or so and you’ll be ready then. You’ll find a nice girl and be happy with her. I know you will. Please. Promise me you won’t see Bria again.”

He stared at his mother as guilt and sorrow and his growing love for Bria warred within him.

She cupped his face again. “We love you. Please don’t tear this family apart.”

“I won’t,” he rasped. “I won’t, Mom. I-I’ll tell Bria we can’t be together.”

She started to cry and pressed a kiss against his cheek. “I’m sorry, Jace. Really I am, but you’re doing the right thing. I love you, honey.”

“I love you too.”

She hugged him hard and he returned her hug as he stared out the kitchen window. The thought of not being with Bria, of never touching her soft skin, or hearing her mating call, brought the familiar black cloud descending over him.

She would never be his, and he’d have to watch as she found a new mate and built a life with someone else. More blackness crowded into him and he swallowed hard. He needed to talk to Bria and she was going to hate him when he was done.

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