Page 23 of Forsaken Devotion: Part 2
“Yes.”
“So instead, you had me thrown in prison.”
“I-it wasn’t the plan,” he croaked.
“No, your plan was to kill me and set it up to look like I caused the accident,” I hissed. “What did you inject me with?”
He jerked like I’d hit him, eyes lowering.
“Heroine.” His expression crumpled. “I’m sorry.”
I scoffed, and I wanted to lose it. To attack him. To let out this pent-up anger.
“I didn’t know what to do,” he whimpered. “I-I didn’t want to kill you myself. And you were incarcerated.” He shoved shaking hands through his hair. “I-I just told Cierra you died. I tried to get rid of you while you were there, but you didn’t fucking die,” he blurted.
It was like a faucet had been opened. Words, excuses, and explanations spilled from him.
“It’s easier to get rid of someone in jail. No questions.”
The dots didn’t just connect; they morphed into a clear line.
“You hired inmates to go after me.” I narrowed my eyes. Those attacks weren’t just prison politics. They came at me because of him.
“I had to be careful, a flag was raised, and I had to put it on pause . . . but then, I discovered your memory loss.” He chugged some beer and thumped the glass on the table. “It was a blessing. I let you be. You didn’t remember—” He cut himself off and cupped his mouth. A dry sob left his mouth. Guilt festered off him, but I couldn’t feel any sympathy for the pathetic shifter. He’d admitted Cierra’s part. It wasn’t a surprise, but vindication made a smile bloom across my lips. Suddenly, he turned into me as much as he could with the limited booth space, his knee knocking into mine.
He caught my hands, and jerked me toward him until I was a few inches from his face.
“Forgive me,” he cried. “You didn’t remember, so I thought you would be okay. Once your sentence was done, you could have a fresh start at life.” He sucked in a breath. “I knew it was wrong, but the Luna had too much on me. He shouldn’t have given her so much say,” he spat. “But you’re out now, and you took back what was always yours. I watched you during the Blood Moon?—”
“You’re part of Lucian’s pack, why didn’t you ever tell him?” I hissed.
“He’d kill me.” His eyes widened until the whites took up most of the space. “Alpha has always had a nasty temper, but his fury amplified after your death. He became cold, and I knew him capable of killing my mate and our daughter.” Everything was spilling from his mouth in a rush. “I made sure to whisper in the appropriate ears about where you should be placed, and now everything is as it should be.”
“You set it up so I ended up at Crescent Hotel,” I deadpanned.
“Yes.” His nostrils flared. “It was all I could do. I know I can’t stay in your pack, please don’t tell Alpha Wilder.” I could almost taste the fear in his eyes. “I’ll leave. I’ll take my family to anotherpack. I’ve been begging Gideon Drake to take me, and he finally agreed today?—”
“Today?” I stiffened.
“Yes, I’ve been pleading my case to him,” he continued, but my mind was racing. Gideon Drake agreed today?
No that didn’t make sense . . .
This was a setup. I yanked my hand out of Stools’s grip. As soon as I was off the seat, I bumped into a wall of muscle.
Fuck.
My neck pinched from how high I had to look. Usually, my arms were wrapped around Lucian’s neck, so it made it less painful.
“Josephine Garcia.” His deep voice echoed strength and dominance. His dark hair framed his temple, and that smarmy crooked smile spread across his mouth.
He curled his arm around my shoulders and tucked me close to him.
“Let’s take a stroll,” he drawled.
I jerked my shoulders to the side, but he wasn’t fazed, jerking me back to his side forcefully. Panic made my breathing disjointed.
“Let me go.”
