Jordyn shrugged. “Does it matter?”
Aunt Tab opened the Band-Aid. “Word of advice. You’re welcome to stay as long as you like, but while you’re living under our roof, you have to watch yourselves. You can’t be saying things like ‘working for vampires’ or”—she eyed me—“licking blood off knives.”
I agreed with her. But I had no explanation for my actions except maybe having vampire DNA.
5
SAM
Roughly two hours later, sweat poured off my body in buckets as I rammed my fists into a punching bag, picturing Dane’s head then Ross’s face. I was trying like a motherfucker not to think. So much had transpired since Layla had rocked my world. Not only that, but rather than text Layla for the umpteenth time, I’d called her before I started beating the shit out of the bag.
“Shocked” didn’t even begin to describe how I’d felt when Tabitha Aberdeen answered Layla’s phone. But that shock had quickly transformed into outrage. Layla was ghosting me for some reason, and my ego was turning black-and-blue because she didn’t want anything to do with me—either that or Jack was forcing her not to talk to me.
My fist connected with the bag, punch after punch, left, right, left, right. I blew out a breath and hit the bag again.
The door to the gym squeaked open, sounding like nails on a chalkboard and only further inciting my rage. The punching bag came off its chain and flew against the padded wall, practically ripping it open.
“I’m surprised you haven’t torn that thing to shreds by now.” Jo’s sweet voice did nothing to ease my fury. She glided deeper into the room with her black hair tied up in a high ponytail, wearing yoga pants and a tightly fitting tank. “Need a sparring partner?”
I growled. What I needed was to get my ass to Montana. Maybe then I wouldn’t feel like I couldn’t breathe. “No. I might end up hurting you.”
She snorted. “Doubtful, brother. You know I’m stronger than you.”
I wiped the sweat off my brow with a towel. “Not anymore.”
She picked a sword from one of many on a table along the far wall. “Want to test that theory?”
I dropped down on the slatted wooden bench. “Tell you what. Let’s go down to the water’s edge, and I’ll show you how strong I am.” Using my elemental powers wasn’t the smartest thing to do, especially in the middle of the day. Too many chances of some human seeing us.
She wielded the sword one way then another. The blade glistened beneath the gym lights. “It’s been a long time since I practiced my powers, but now isn’t the time. Get up and spar with me.”
I shoved my hands through my hair. “Sorry, sis. Not today.” Her powers might rival mine, but not when I was angry.
She frowned as she returned the sword to the table then joined me. “I’m worried about Ben, too, but he’s in good hands with Dr. Vieira. And you’ll be happy to know that I spoke to Doc before I came down. Apparently, there’s a wolf in Dane’s pack with blood that has healing properties. He’s not sure if it will work on someone who’s only partially human, but it’s worth a try.”
I guessed I would’ve learned that if I hadn’t stormed out of the infirmary.
She placed a hand on my knee. “Ease up, Sam. You’re wound tight.”
That was an understatement. “Let’s hope it works.”
She shuddered as sadness wafted off her. “Ben has been through so much, and I can’t bear to see him like that. I also don’t want to have to call his dad.”
Christ.Mr. Jackson would have a coronary. He blamed us for everything bad that had happened to Ben since Jo and I became vampires, although Mr. Jackson wasn’t aware of our vampire status—or Ben’s, for that matter. We wanted to keep it that way. For years, Mr. Jackson threatened my father, saying he would go to the police and anyone who would listen to him about how my father was an evil man.
I twisted the towel into a knot, tempering the need to damage something other than a punching bag.
A beat of silence passed before Jo spoke. “Any word from Layla?”
I tossed the towel into a wicker basket close by. “Funny you should ask. I thought she’d been ignoring me, but I called her phone when I came down here. Her aunt answered. I think her uncle might be holding Layla hostage.” I was going with that theory because I couldn’t bear the thought of Layla not wanting anything to do with me.
“I doubt that,” Jo said. “Layla and her sisters don’t strike me as the types to allow anyone to boss them around.”
I popped to my feet. “Something’s not right. I’m going to Montana.” I collected my gym bag.
Jo had her hands around my arm before I took one step. “Are you nuts? The Aberdeens will skin you alive.”
I pushed out a long-suffering sigh. “I know, but I have to see her.”
