Page 267 of My Unexpected Mate

“I forgive you,” she said quietly. “I am really glad you are okay.”

Jake huffed, crossing his arms over his chest. It won’t be that easy with him.

Zack smiled brightly at Cassie. “You are the best, Cassandra.”

I chuckled, and Cassie smirked. She hates it when people call her that.

“I told you not to call me that,” she said angrily.

“And you know how I love to annoy you, Cassandra,” Zack said with a huge grin on his face.

She rolled her eyes at him and leaned on me. I threw my arm around her shoulders and laughed.

“I didn’t even know your name was Cassandra,” Annie said.

“Well, now you do,” Cassie sighed. “But never call me that.”

Annie chuckled and nodded.

I felt Zack’s eyes on me. “What happened to you, Minnie?”

I looked at him and sighed. “That is a really long story. I would rather show you what happened.”

Gabriel grabbed my arm. “I am not okay with you using that much magic in one day. You will exhaust yourself.”

“It’s okay,” I smiled at him. “I am not tired, and memory magic isn’t that hard. If I feel like I can’t continue, I will tell you and you can tell him the rest of the story.”

Gabriel eyed me suspiciously, but eventually nodded. “Fine. Stop immediately if you get tired.”

I nodded and looked at Zack. He was looking between me and Gabriel in confusion.

“Ready?” I asked him with a small smile on my face.

He nodded and I closed my eyes. The first memory I showed him was the night that Calvin attacked me. I could feel Cassie and Gabriel tense up. I could hear Nick growl. I could hear Zack’s shocked gasps. I tuned them all out and focused on my memories. I showed Zack everything he needed to know.

When my memories ended, the room was quiet. I opened my eyes and saw Zack staring at the spot where my memory orb was floating just a moment ago. He was angry, sad, and confused.

Zack looked at me and stood up. He walked over to me and pulled me into a tight hug. I heard Nick growl.

“I am so sorry, Ari,” he mumbled into my hair. “And I am so glad you are okay. He will never touch you again, I promise.”

“Thank you, Zack,” I said as I looked up at him.

He smiled at me and let me go. He walked back to his seat and sat back down with a huff.

“So, you are telling me that the fucker who killed Patricia’s child is the same one who kidnapped Aria?” Zack said and ran his hand through his hair.

“Yes,” Gabriel said.

Zack looked up at him and shook his head. His eyes snapped at Jake.

“Where the fuck is Calvin?” he asked angrily. “I will kill him.”

“He is already dead,” Jake said. “Do you think I would let him live after he touched my sister and Aria?”

Zack nodded. “I am glad. I am sorry I didn’t participate in that, though. I would like to show him what happens when you touch something that’s mine.”

Cassie squeezed my hand tightly.

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