Aunt Tab, my uncle, and I didn’t say a word until Sam’s car was speeding down the road.
“When were you going to tell me my mom had vampires in her family?” I asked my uncle.
“That’s what you have to say to me? I expect an apology first. How dare you bring a bloodsucker onto this property.” He threw his flamethrower in his truck.
“I didn’t ask him to come here.” I gave Aunt Tab a quick glare.
Aunt Tab stuck out her chest defiantly. “I did.”
My uncle faltered as his blue-gray eyes became slits. “I didn’t hear that.”
My aunt fastened her hands to her hips. “You most certainly did, Jack. Stop all this secrecy and bullshit with Layla. The only thing she’s done wrong was to take that job with that former agent. So she screwed up. You have, too, in your day. Let’s not pretend you’re perfect.”
I was dumbfounded as I watched the fury grow on Jack’s face. The more Aunt Tab spoke, the redder he became.
“I’m tired, Jack.” Aunt Tab threw up her hands. “You give up the business, then you’re back in it. Frankly, I want nothing to do with hunting vampires. And before you even say a word, I invited Sam here to help Layla. You know as well as I do that she needs help. If anyone can help her, it’s the vampire military. They have access to do the research on her mom’s family. And if she does carry any vampire DNA, then the naval doctor is the best doctor for her.”
It had become crystal clear why Jack had treated me like the enemy since my father died. My head spun at Aunt Tab coming to my rescue despite her husband. She really did mean what she’d said about helping my sisters and me. I also realized that Sam must’ve told her how Dr. Vieira could help me. Not only that, Sawyer, the SEAL team computer geek, had mad tech skills. He could help me find out more about my family. Maybe even Kendra. After all, Uncle Jack wasn’t having any luck.
Jack quietly slipped into his workshop with his tail between his legs, though I highly doubted that was the end of Jack and his hunting, despite Aunt Tab’s wishes.
“That went well,” I said.
Sighing, Aunt Tab watched her husband with a sad expression. “He just hasn’t been the same since your father died.”
“Aunt Tab, my dad’s death has affected all of us.”
“Sure, but Jack feels responsible.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “Because he kicked my father out?” It was good to know that Jack felt remorse.
She nodded. “I’ll take you to meet Jordyn. I’m afraid that things are about to get messy.”
“What do you mean?” Surely, my uncle wasn’t stupid enough to think he could take on the vampire military.
“Your uncles want the vampire who cut off Ray’s thumb.”
“So does the vampire military,” I mumbled.
She draped an arm around me. “Layla, I’m sorry about taking your phone. I’m sorry I haven’t been a better aunt to you. I promise I’ll help in any way I can, but you need to promise me you’ll get on that plane tonight with Sam.”
“I’m not leaving until I talk to Rianne.”
“I know she said some things to Noah, and she shouldn’t have. But don’t be too hard on her. She’s your sister.”
“Do you know why she told Noah about Sam and me?”
“Not my story to tell. You and she have to work that out.”
I hugged my aunt. “Thank you for sticking up for me.”
She squeezed me to her.
“Will you be okay?” I’d never known my uncle to lash out at his wife using his fists, but stranger things had happened.
She let go of me. “Of course. Believe it or not, Jack listens to me.”
“Keep in mind, I know a few scary vamps that would gladly help. Just saying.”
