Page 129 of Nest of Thieves
“I’m not forgiving you,” Jo says. “But that self-loathing has to stop.”
“That easy, huh?”
“No, it’s not. But you can’t keep thinking like that.” She flicks her attention to the side, and that’s when I notice the tears in her eyes.
“Jo.”
“My mother hates me. She doesn’t like who I am. I foolishly made the mistake of showing her a few times.”
Anger on her behalf heats my blood.
“My dads don’t care either.”
Jo’s baring her truth to me, but that’s not why I told her mine. I was trying to help her understand. “You don’t have to tell me.”
“I’m not done.”
I shut up.
“My point is, I stopped trying to earn her approval a long time ago. You know why?” She searches my face, and I shake my head. “She doesn’t define my worth. Does not having her love hurt? Fuck, yeah, but she doesn’t deserve me. None of those preppy little packs in Philadelphia did. But you know who does?”
I know what her answer will be, but I want to hear her say it.
“You guys. You’re the only ones I’ve ever wanted. You’re the only ones that make sense.” She shoves her hands into mine again, and I tighten my hold.
“Be careful with your words,” I warn. “You might be able to leave now without us hunting you down.” I consider how far gone Mac is. “It may already be too late.”
She looks at the ceiling. “Lord help me. I don’t want to leave, Lark. I want to stay, but only if I know I’m wanted.”
“I’ve never wanted someone so much,” I confess, rubbing my nose against hers. “You have my whole heart. You have my loyalty. I already offered you my life.”
“I’m still mad,” she whispers. “You hurt me, Lark. I don’t let people hurt me.”
“What do I need to do?”
“I don’t know,” she says.
“It doesn’t matter. I’ll do it, anyway. All you have to do is snap and tell me what needs to happen.”
Her lips tilt into a smile. “And if I tell you to wear my dress and high heels?”
“I love dresses,” I whisper.
Jo beams at me and my heart warms. That smile.
Now that the fight is over, the rest of the night hits her again. Darkness colors her aura, and I want to destroy the whole of Philly Vipers for giving her that. She followed us. I could have killed that asshole easily, but I needed to know Jo could do it. It’s the only way she’ll survive the Atlantic City Knights’ initiation.
“Are you tired?”
“I don’t think I can sleep,” she admits.
“I have an idea.” I release her hands and head to the door. “Come with me?”
She snaps.
Glancing over my shoulder, I take in her arched eyebrow. “What?”
“Kiss me.”
