Page 104 of A Bond Beyond Blood

I stood quickly, not willing to push my luck twice.

“Wait for me in the car.”

When I left the apartment, I stood on the balcony.He’d be extra pissed that I lingered to listen in on their conversation, but I couldn’t help myself.

Part of me wanted to know what she’d say, but another, larger part of me, the part that wanted to make sure my Jackie was safe, wanted to see if he was an asshole.And this would be a true test.He may be older than me and stronger, and even when he was a human could have kicked my ass six ways from Sunday, but at least I’d be close by if he tried to hurt her—

“Are you okay?”he whispered.

Huh.

He didn’t sound mad at all.He sounded...concerned.

My eyes narrowed.What was his game?

“Are you sure?”he asked.

I didn’t catch Jackie’s response, so she must have nodded.Or shaken her head.Fuck, I hoped it wasn’t the latter.

“I’m sorry, Vinny, I don’t know what happened.I didn’t mean—”

“Hey now,” he said, “no apologies, okay?If we’re going to do this thing, we have to be open and honest and”—he paused and I held my breath—“if you need some time to figure things out with him, I can’t say I love the idea, but I also know that you’re a smart girl and you’ll do what’s best for you.”

I tilted my head, eyes widening.No shit?This was not the way I expected their conversation to go.Was it a trick?Was he playing the good cop or something?

“Vinny, no, I don’t want you to—”

“Sweet girl,” he said in a deep growl that made her breath catch.“He was in your life long before I was, and if you want to let him back in, what kind of man would I be to say no?”

“But...”She paused and I found myself leaning forward.“I thought you wanted to be with me.”

Fuck, that insecurity in her voice made my heart wrench with pain.Had I caused that?Had my disappearing act made her doubt how fucking special she is?

“Oh, don’t misunderstand, Jacqueline, I am with you.”He chuckled and added, “But I’m not going to be selfish with you any longer.I did that once and—”

“Don’t,” she murmured, shushing him.“I forgive you, remember?”

Tilting my head closer to the door, I frowned.What did she forgive him for?

“Because you’re too good, baby.I don’t deserve you.That punk ass ex-boyfriend probably doesn’t deserve you—”

I scowled, but he was right.

“—and I’m not going to go easy on him,” Vinny stated clearly.“He broke your heart, and though that worked out quite nicely for me”—he paused and she giggled in a way that made jealousy flare to life in my chest—“he’s not going to find his way into my good graces very easily.But you’re it for me, baby.I want you and I want you to choose me—not because he’s not here, but because heis—and because you know I’m the better fucking choice.”

My hands curled into fists at my sides, and as soon as it was obvious a Ricci was kissingmygirl, I strode swiftly down the stairs so I didn’t have to hear the sounds of pleasure he pulled from her.

Better fucking choice?A Ricci?I snorted.Right.

We’d see about that.

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