“You’re saying she spoke on national television? Like, she was pleading with the public?”
He blinked on a nod.
“I need to lie down.” My fucking sister was a piece of work. I still couldn’t figure out what had gone wrong with her. Her hatred for Sam was mind-boggling. Or was it her jealousy? Regardless, she’d just sealed our fates, especially if she had humans believing I was being held captive.
He helped me into bed, then adjusted my pillow.
“We’ll be hunted, and not by Adam, my grandmother, or Roman, but by humans,” I said.
He flattened his huge palm on my face. “I didn’t want to tell you. But the press conference has changed the game and drastically. This is no longer a war with just Intech but the fucking universe.”
Understatement of the millennium.
His phone beeped, and this was the one time I needed a distraction. Anything to not have to deal with my sick family. The more I thought about Rianne, the stronger the desire I had to end my sister once and for all. How freaking sad was that? I had as much hunger to kill Rianne as Jordyn had to murder Fred Emery.
He read the text. “Tripp needs my help at the prison building. I’ll talk to him about releasing Jordyn.”
My sister seemed like the least of our worries, though we needed her help now more than ever, and not just to help me take care of our children but to fight if need be. Above that, to protect my children.
“We need Jordyn, Sam, especially in light of what you just told me.”
Sighing, he kissed my forehead. “Agreed. There’s more to the press conference that you should know, but right now, I need to go.”
His phone buzzed again.
Jo glided in, shock and awe written on her pretty face.
“You must’ve seen the news,” Sam said to her.
She was a deer in the headlights as she bobbed her head at Sam.
“Go,” I said to Sam. “Jo can fill me in on the press conference.”
He gave me a quick peck on the lip. “Love you, baby doll.”
Whatever Adam had announced had to be horrifying. Maybe I didn’t want to know.
10
SAM
My brain was on overload as I left Layla’s room. It broke my black heart to tell her about Rianne and destroy the protective bubble we’d wrapped ourselves in. The only thing I’d wanted to do when she was pressed against me, her long lashes fluttering, her eyes full of desire, was to take, possess, and love every inch of her.
I hated to leave her without giving her a blow-by-blow of what had gone down at Adam’s eye-opening press conference. I’d been tempted to also tell her about Carly, but she was in shock over Rianne. I didn’t want to push her heart to the brink of destruction, since as fast as it had been beating, one more dreadful piece of news would’ve put her in a coma.
But I agreed with her that we needed Jordyn. Whatever came next would require boatloads of help.
I read Tripp’s message again as I walked.
Tripp:Your father has orders from the council to release Fred Emery. They’re afraid we’ll have a mutiny on our hands. I need you ASAP to deal with Jordyn. She’s driving the prison guards mad.
I typed a text to Tripp:I’m on my way. But just let Jordyn go.
He responded quickly:Jordyn wants to talk to Fred Emery. Says if she does, she promises she won’t pull any more stunts.
Me:Then let her say her piece. I’ll be there to help referee. Layla and I need her.
Tripp:This is her only chance to redeem herself. She has two strikes. One more, and I will kick her off base. Webb is prepared to back me up.
