Page 56 of The Burnt Heart

“I’m going to call Ray.” She’d slid her phone out, and I’d lunged at her, the phone clattering to the ground.

“No.” I’d shaken my head. “No, not Ray. No one who is connected to the Orazio or the Donato families. Do you know anyone else who you trust enough?”

Pink filled her cheeks, but she’d nodded. I was glad I didn’t know where she was going when I put her in a taxi. But now I was being assaulted with thoughts of Lara, captured and tortured. Blood. Always covered in blood. Jonah ground his teeth together, hesitating before answering.

“I have an idea,” he conceded, as though it hurt him.

“Will she be safe there?” We were standing outside my apartment now, and I was desperate to prolong this moment a little longer. Jonah gave me a quick nod.

“She couldn’t be safer.”

His terse statement made my shoulders droop. But my heart still galloped like a wild mustang. Kicking into my chest until I swore my ribs cracked. I swallowed past a knot in my throat.

“I want guards outside, in the foyer and you outside the main door,” I ordered. Clawing at what I could control. Jonah’s forehead creased, knowing it was overkill for what I normally asked. I’d even argued about Jonah initially, wanting to prove I didn’t need the protection of anyone. It had been hard growing up as a woman in my world, especially with my grandmother as my role model. She didn’t rule in the light, like I would eventually. But her power stretched this whole city.

“I can help you better if you tell me what has you spooked?” Jonah whispered, and I rounded on him. Searched the face of my loyal guard, looking for tiny tells of deceit. His forehead creased, eyebrows inching upwards into his hairline. The blatant perusal unsettled him, and he took a step backwards.

“Everything is fine,” I insisted, narrowing my eyes at him.

“Okay,” he drawled, pulling out his phone and growling orders in a low voice.

I wanted him to ask me again. One more time, pick at my terrible facade. Everything Nicole had told me, once I’d cleared the room, bubbled on the tip of my tongue, scalding hot. I wanted to spit the words out for relief. But what she’d admitted made me question everything. Even my guard, whose loyalty I’d never suspected. Sweat made my dress cling to my back. For the first time in my life, I felt hunted. I’d thought I was one step ahead of everything that had happened. Too easily, I’d believed Crimson Claw were the ones who had caused all the danger. None of it had truly thrown me. But this? Jonah flicked me a curious look, phone pressed to his ear. Could I trust him? I wanted to say yes, but my instincts were shaking. A heavy silence stretched out, only broken when I slammed my fist on the apartment that I had once called home.

“Siren.” Logan beamed with surprise when he opened the door. I was struck with a sharp yearning to throw myself in hiswide embrace, a cocoon. The pleasure on his face drooping when he widened the door to see Jonah standing beside me.

“Let me know of any movement downstairs,” I said to Jonah before closing the door and locking it. I took a shuddering breath, giving myself one last chance to collect myself.

“Adelaide?” Briar was standing in the entryway, golden flecks in his eyes glinting. Filled with longing. Damp curls brushed his forehead, one lone drip trailing down his cheek. It dropped onto his pressed white shirt, seeping in like a shadow.

“I need to talk to you,” I brushed past him, breathing in his clean, minty scent. His face fell at my cool entry. After my phone call they had expected a horny Adelaide, not one who was a step away from losing it. I flexed my fingers once, before I caught myself, but felt the prickle of their sharp gazes on my neck. I wasn’t doing a good job of hiding my agitation.

“Princess.” Jesse’s head whipped up as I walked into the kitchen, his waist encased in a frilled white apron. He strode over to me, not reading the vibe I was giving off, and bundled me into his arms. Or perhaps he knew, unconsciously, that I was desperate to be touched. To have this burden shared. His lips collided with mine and I softened against him. My raging fear screwing up my control. His touch was soft but determined, and I let out a quiet whimper. The sharp edge inside me softened at his familiarity. But when his tongue flickered at the seam of my lips, I pulled out of his grasp with a pant. Jesse’s eyes were molten hot, and he advanced on me again.

“No.” My hand flew up, clearing my rough throat. “I’m sorry, I’m not here for that.”

The fire in his gaze faded, and a crease materialized between his brows as he waited for me to explain. There was a palpable tension in the air, and all it would take was one nod from me and they’d push away my doubts. All the scenarios that inundated my mind could vanish with mere movement of my head.

“You said you wanted us.” Logan frowned, and I shot him a look, pointing to the couch. They didn’t move, and I sighed, taking the lead. I sank into the soft dove blue blanket, running my hand over the material. The too big couch took up the open plan room, but it had been perfect for all of us to sprawl out together. The cushions welcomed me like a lover, and I closed my eyes for a moment of respite.

“I wasn’t being exactly honest.” I crossed my legs and waited for them to take a seat. They shuffled with barely concealed disappointment. Crestfallen, like kicked puppies. Jesse undid the apron with a stiff jerk, balling it up and tossing it on the bench. He sat and glared at his hands in frustration, but not at me. As if blaming his appendages for being foolish enough to believe it would be that easy. They were done up in their best clothes, primped and sprayed in cologne. The familiar scents made my head thump. Garlic too. I flicked a look at the kitchen, seeing all the ingredients for my favorite seafood fettuccine. Jesse noticed how I sniffed the air with a rueful shake of his head.

“I’m making homemade garlic bread with my own baguettes.” He rubbed his palms down his thighs.

I replied with a sigh, whistling with frustration. They thought I was here to make good on my promises, to sate my appetite on them. Dressed just the way I liked them. The apartment smelled recently cleaned, so I knew Briar had gone over it with a meticulous hand like he always did. I spied the bunch of flowers on the side table, tied with a white satin bow. On the shelves, candles flickered, and the speaker was crooning out a sensual mix.

Honestly? I’d rather jump into bed with them than spill the secrets I’d learned tonight.

“Could I have a glass of wine?” I asked, desperate to prolong everything. Logan pursed his lips before stalking to thefridge. His knuckles whitened around the neck of the chilled chardonnay. My favorite.

My fingers itched, but I tucked them under my thighs. This was hard enough without them knowing I was teetering on the edge. Logan pressed the glass into my hand, his touch lingering. Their faces were copies of each other. A mixture of hurt, sadness, and confusion.

“You’ll forgive us if we’re a little slow.” Logan crossed his arms. “We thought you were here for us.”

My nostrils flared involuntarily. A wave of indignation overtook me. I clenched my jaw and brought the glass to my lips. Trying to ignore the fine tremble it made, I swallowed half of it. Being angry was better than being scared. Anger I could harness, a stallion I had ridden many times. Fear was a wild beast, one that stalked me from the shadows. Its paws clawed the ground, threatening to churn me to pieces under its feet. I latched onto the blistering well of anger inside me instead.

“Poor babies. Thought you were going to get your dick wet , did you? Well, don’t let me stop you. I’m sure you could find any girl willing if you put the call out,” I snapped, my temper reacting to more than their words. Rage coursed through me, and they were a convenient outlet. Briar’s head jerked back, and he shook his head.

“No,” he argued. “That’s not it at all.” He shifted on the seat uncomfortably. “Ok, it’s a minor part. But we were hoping this was a chance to romance you, to show you how much you mean to us. There isn’t a girl alive who could live up to you.”

---