Page 25 of Cruel Revenge
“I am,” I promised. “She wants me to.”
“Good. That’s good. I would shut it down if she wanted to go alone. But you’re going.” Heath quickly stood up, and his Talent dropped. Now I could smell all the fear and sadness. The hint of rage. And the security of knowing I would be there.
“I wouldn’t have agreed if she went alone, either. I won’t sit at their table, but I’ll be very close, in the room, hearing everything. I’ll be ready to get her out in any event.”
“Exactly.” Heath nodded, looking more comfortable now. It didn’t last long before over feelings came surging back to the surface. “I can’t believe this is finally happening.”
“Me, neither,” I mumbled. The fragile feeling came back, my heart shrinking as I fought not to feel the sting of this. Carey’s real mother was back, and I just had to accept that I was going to lose this precious girl, and it was slowly destroying me. I suddenly couldn’t breathe.
“Oh, Jacky…” Heath noticed, and he was next to me before I could take a full breath. His arms wrapped around me, squeezing.
“It hurts,” I admitted into his chest, tears flooding my eyes. “That this woman is back and…”
“She can’t compete with you,” Heath whispered, beginning to rock us back and forth. “It’s not a competition at all.”
“I love her. I love Carey so much it hurts. I’ve watched her grow up now and—” A gut-wrenching sob escaped as I clung to him.
“She loves you, too,” he reminded me, his voice low, his lips next to my ear.
“And she deserves this. She deserves to meet her real mother!” I tried to pull away, shoving my hand between him and me to try to wipe my face, but he didn’t let me go. “And I’m over here scared that I’m going to lose her. She was never mine to begin with!”
“You aren’t going to lose her.”
“But this is her?—”
“This is the woman who abandoned her and never bothered to reach out, even when Carey was on the news and missing. You were with Carey in those days. Her mother never came for her before this. She’s probably only showing up now because a real woman, one with principles and honor, is finally stepping up for Carey. She doesn’t care about Carey. She’s never loved her.”
“I’m soscared,” I cried. “Courtney is herrealmother and?—”
“Courtney’s doing this to exert control. She was never good with other women. She had issues with jealousy. She’s going to hate that you’re there. There is nothing for you to be scared of.”
“But Carey?—”
“Carey knows from experience who her mother is,” Heath growled softly, cutting me off. “She’s lived with the reality that her mother never wanted to be with her. Jacky, you’re spiraling. And it’s okay that you are because this came out of nowhere, but you have to breathe.”
I looked up at him, seeing his eyes were ice blue, those of his wolf form. In his eyes, I saw gold reflected back.
“Oh.” I exhaled the air from my lungs as I realized just how unraveled this made me.
“You are fierce and glorious. You are beautiful and powerful. You have been by Carey through thick and thin. You encourage her to grow and learn and explore the world. You stand by her in her best and worst moments. You put your life on the line for her. You have to be strong for her tomorrow. I know you are scared that Courtney will be able to take Carey from you, but Ipromise that Courtney isn’t even capable of being even a fraction of everything you are. Carey will recognize that immediately. She’s too smart and perceptive not to.” He touched my cheek. “You are irreplaceable.”
It took a moment, but those words sank in.
I pulled him down to kiss him, making sure he couldn’t pull away or stop me. I was pushed into my desk, then lifted onto it as he proved he could more than keep up with me. We didn’t go further, though. Once we were both wound up, we stopped. I let him go, and he took a single, small step back, allowing just a bit of air between us.
“Thank you,” I whispered, trying to smooth out his shirt again.
“It’s the truth. No thanks required,” he murmured, grabbing my hands. “Keep touching me like that, and we’ll have to save the rest of this conversation for tomorrow. I think we should discuss more of the logistics tonight.”
“Yeah, we should,” I agreed, but I couldn’t remember where I put the rest of my plan for the next day. I had to get off my desk to find it.
“Are you going to wear an earpiece and communicate with my wolves?” Heath asked as I was too frazzled by everything to talk for a moment as I tried to find what I was looking for.
“Yeah, I am,” I confirmed, nodding quickly, the movement jerky. “I was thinking that Stacy and Benjamin would guard the back door while Arlo and Kody would guard the front. They’ll keep some distance and probably stay in human form. They’re young, so I don’t want them in wolf form, since their wolf forms are smaller…”
“They’re all good with firearms, and it will stop them from accidentally biting anyone. Being in wolf form is for more experienced guards. Good call.”
“Thank you. I’ve actually already talked to them today about how guarding will be this week with me. I think I did well.”
