He doesn’t get to touch me at will anymore. Me being shot doesn’t change what happened between us.
“Tell me about it,” Bree says. “I aged twenty years in five seconds when I heard your scream and then the line went dead.”
“We need to talk before they get back,” Mom says. “Ashley, that’s a serious accusation to make against Julia. Especially without proof. I’m not saying I don’t believe you, but why would she try to kill you?”
“Because she hates me, and she wants to permanently remove me as her competition.”
“Competition for what? She has both your guys, or did I pick that up wrong?”
“Thanks for the compassion, Mom,” I say with sarcasm underscoring my tone.
“She most definitely does not,” Jase replies, growling at Mom before he turns to me. “I haven’t touched her. You’re still the only woman I love.”
“Okay, enough. Honestly, your love life gives me a headache, Ashley.”
It’s official. My mother is an unsympathetic bitch.
“I agree Julia has motive, and she’s vindictive enough to want to take you out, but—”
“She wouldn’t fail.” Jase completes Bree’s train of thought.
“She wouldn’t. This was amateur hour. A professional would not have missed the first shot.”
“Maybe it was a warning? All I know is Anita was there for a reason.”
“We need to pick that girl up,” Mom says.
“I’ll handle it.” Jase sits down in the chair by my bed. “I’ll get the truth out of her.”
His meaning seems obvious, and I glare at him. “Really, Jase? You’re going to seduce that bitch?”
“Who said anything about seduction? You couldn’t pay me to touch that hag. Torture is more what I have in mind.”
Relief seeps out of my pores. “Oh, very well then. You may proceed.”
“The decision has been taken from our hands now anyway,” Mom says, glancing at her cell. “Your uncle has arranged transportation for us to HQ. Their hospital facility is the best in the world, and he wants you checked out by our doctors. We’re to be ready in twenty minutes.”
“I don’t want to go to HQ,” I say over a yawn. “I want to stay here.”
“Not an option. We can’t ignore a Luminary directive.”
“Of course, we can’t,” I mutter, fighting sleep.
“I’ll explain to Doug and get rid of Chad and Ares,” Jase says, standing. He leans down and kisses me before I can stop him. “I love you.”
I don’t say it back. He doesn’t get a pardon just because I got shot. He has still been sleeping with other women behind my back, and there is no scenario where I could ever accept that.
Accepting I won’t be returning the sentiment, Jase turns and exits the room.
Mom just shakes her head as she leaves to go sort out the discharge paperwork.
Bree sits down beside me. “Your boy drama is the best entertainment. We should pitch it for a reality show.”
“No thanks. My current reality is not fit for public consumption.”
“Truth.” Bree glances at the door, chewing on the corner of her lip.
“Spit it out.”
