Page 38 of The Union
Webb eyed her through the rearview mirror. “Never let anyone tell you you’re not perceptive.”
“Webb. I want to apologize for taking off against your wishes. I know I put you and Steven in a bad spot, but if I hadn’t come, then I wouldn’t have known about my grandmother. I also needed to confront my family. Please understand that.” She raked her teeth over her bottom lip.
“Thank you,” he said. “Did you find out anything else?”
“Carly is the mastermind in all this.” She leaned her elbow on the armrest between us.
My old man was still exchanging words with Harriet while Emery listened to them. Harriet and my father seemed to be old friends catching up. But I knew better. My dad was probably waiting for the right moment to touch Harriet so he could read her mind.
“Not only Carly, but the fucker standing beside Harriet,” I said. “According to Carly, Adam Emery is an old college buddy of my uncle Patrick.”
Webb swiveled his neck toward me, his blue eyes morphing to black. “And you’re about to tell me Emery has Patrick’s research?”
I nodded once. “Yep. Patrick sent his data to Adam as a backup.”
Webb emitted a low growl. “But we picked apart his computer, emails, and passwords. There was nothing to indicate he sent his files to anyone.”
I couldn’t answer him on that. “I don’t know what’s true, but if Carly is right, then she has what she needs from his research and whatever the fuck she did to Dane and me to start testing, which means humans will begin to disappear.”
“Get out of my way, Steven,” Harriet practically shouted. “I want my granddaughter.”
Dad blocked her. “Which one?”
She waved her hand in the air like some magician in a magic act. “Don’t play coy with me, Steven. I will have both Jordyn and Layla in my custody if I have to rain hellfire down on you.”
My father chuckled, but it was more deadly than funny. Bending his head so he was level with Harriet’s short stature, he leaned in. “May I remind you who you’re dealing with?”
“Pfft,” Harriet returned. “You don’t harm humans.”
My father straightened. “Who said you were human?” Acid burned each word. “The way I see it, you’re the monster, and I’m defending myself and my family.”
She glued her hands to her wide hips. “Layla isn’tyourfamily.”
“She’s under my protection,” my father replied in a poisonous tone. “Until you and your clan understand the importance of that word and what it means to protect your own instead of attempting to murder them, you’ll have no access to Layla.”
Harriet laughed for a second before a bloodthirsty expression washed over her. “Steven, we both know your son and my granddaughter are shacking up.” She wagged a gnarly finger at my old man. “That is a sacrilege. No kin of mine will live with a bloodsucker, or bed with one, for that matter.”
“I’m so screwed,” Layla muttered. “Maybe shewillend my pregnancy if she finds out.”
I rolled my eyes at my beautiful goddess. “The fuck she will.”
“Sam.” Horror stole any remaining color from Layla’s face. “Maybe we do need to go off the grid for the next nine months. My belly will be big soon, and it will be hard to hide.”
My gaze fell to her flat stomach. I couldn’t wait to feel him kick, to listen to his heartbeat, or see him on an ultrasound. Or maybe it was aher, but I was sticking with him. I wanted a boy. Of course, I didn’t have control over the sex, and I would be over the moon with a little girl. However, I would be overprotective of her, and she might hate me for that. Well, there was only one solution—I would have to train her to fight the moment she entered this world.
I lost all thought when my old man said, “If Layla agrees to go with you, I won’t stop her.”
Fuck me sideways. No way in hell was Layla leaving with that evil old lady. Not that Layla would. At least I hoped the fuck not.
“That isn’t happening.” Layla jumped out of the car.
I practically tore off the door as I flew out and rushed to stand behind Layla. “I’m right here to protect you.”
Harriet closed the distance between her and my baby mama as she focused on me.
I smirked, showing Harriet my fangs.
I didn’t feel any fear from Harriet as she clutched the sides of Layla’s arms. “These creatures are not your friends.” She smiled at her granddaughter warmly, yet cold and calculating.
