“It’s water time,” I said with a smirk.
He rolled his eyes and took the glass from my hand.
“What the fuck is going on here?” an angry voice interrupted us.
My eyes darted to the door. A fuming Nick stood there. His eyes were black, his fists clenched. Fuck.
His eyes roamed up and down my body and I realized I was not really wearing much. I was in my shorts and a tank top. My arms and legs were bare.
“I couldn’t sleep,” I said. “I came downstairs for a glass of water and Jake was already here.”
Nick’s eyes darted to Jake, and he growled.
“Nick, no,” I said and put the glass down. “We were just talking, okay?”
“Come here,” he said through his teeth, his arm reaching out to me.
I sighed and started walking toward him, when Jake placed his arm in front of me, stopping me.
“You don’t get to boss her around,” Jake said, his voice filled with anger.
Nick’s eyes flew to Jake’s arm. His skin was touching mine and Nick started shaking.
“Get. Your. Hand. Off. My. Mate.” he said, his voice deeper than usual.
Nate. Shit.
“Is she even your mate?” Jake said and purposely moved his hand so he would touch more of me. “Or did you do some voodoo shit to her to make her believe that you are?”
Nick’s canines elongated and a loud growl erupted from his chest.
I was sure the whole house was awake now.
“Stop it!” I shouted and pushed Jake’s hand away.
I stepped between them and placed my hand on Nick’s bare chest.
“I am not an item you can fight over,” I said, my eyes going from Jake to Nick. “Both of you are important to me and you are going to have to accept that.”
Nick and Jake were glaring at each other. Nick’s canines retreaded with my touch.
“Jake, Nick really is my mate,” I said, turning to Jake. “He didn’t do anything to me, okay? He is my mate, and he is in my life. You are going to have to find a way to be okay with that.”
Jake looked at me but stayed silent.
I turned to Nick.
“Jake is my friend. My family.” I said slowly. “He was there for me when nobody else was. He gave me a family when I didn’t have one. I have him back in my life now and he is not going anywhere.”
I gave both of them a stern look before walking toward the door.
Before leaving I turned to them.
“One more thing,” I said. “According to everyone, I am a pretty powerful witch. If you fight each other, I will kick both your asses.”
I walked out of the kitchen, and I could feel their eyes on me.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE – Badass