Page 45 of Primal Bonds

Jace pressed his lips together but let it go. “Well, you don’t have to worry. He must know I’m back in Baltimore.”

“You know who it was?”

“Yeah, but it’s better if you don’t know. Besides, saying a fae’s name aloud can draw their attention.”

“Right.” Evie recalled hearing that somewhere, although with the fae you never knew what was real and what was myth.

Jace finished his beer and set it in the kitchen sink. “How long have you lived in Grace Harbor?”

“Since I was eight. My mom and dad bought this house.” Or rather her dad had—right before he left for good.

“But it’s just you and your brother?”

“Yeah. Mom passed a couple of years ago, and who knows where my dad is?”

His eyes flickered. “I’m sorry about your mom. That’s too young.”

Evie swallowed. “Yeah.” That’s what she thought, too; your mom wasn’t supposed to die before you were out of your twenties. “It is.”

“So your dad’s the one who’s part fae?”

“I guess. If I’m part fae, it must’ve come from him.”

She’d had a week to get used to the idea. She supposed it could be true. Fane was tall and blond like the local sun fae—and gorgeous, even if he was her dad. He could be a mixed-blood. Her mom had never really gotten over him, although she’d made a good life with Kyler’s dad.

And Fane had a way of knowing things, like that her mom was on her deathbed.

“I’m sure it’s just a trace,” she added. “I mean look at me—no magic, no Gift.”

Jace prowled closer. “You’re beautiful like the fae.”

Evie’s pulse sped up, but she rolled her eyes. “Yeah, right.” He was the one who was beautiful—a spare male beauty with high cheekbones and a firm, knowing mouth, his eyes a brilliant mix of gold and green and brown framed by those impossibly thick lashes.

“And your brother—Kyler?” he asked, just as if he weren’t standing so close. “He hasn’t seen or heard anything?”

“Not that he told me. He’s at a friend’s house right now—but you already know that.”

He shrugged but didn’t deny it. “I was standing guard outside the restaurant most of the night, but yeah, I checked in on Kyler a few times.”

Those beautiful eyes were fixed on her mouth, making her lips tingle. She had the curious feeling they were having two conversations, one aloud, one silent.

“So there’s no one else out there?”

“Just me tonight. We’re pulling off the guard after this.”

“Thank you.”

Another silence. “So we’re alone,” he murmured.

“Yeah.” She crossed her arms. “Should I be scared?”

His brows drew together. “Never. I’d never hurt you, Evie.”

His scent filled her head. Warm and masculine. A bit spicy. Already she recognized it; she could be in a pitch-black room and she’d know it was Jace.

“Because I helped you.”

“You know that’s not the only reason.” He was just two feet from her now.

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