Isn’t it the same thing I did to find Jericho? I was prepared to kill to find him. It’s why I trained with the gun. Why I hired Davey. Jericho is my everything—and now I understand why.
What if Willow is Kaine’s Jericho? Even if they aren’t lovers, she can still be just as important to him. Family.Especially when he has none.
Forest’s phone rings, and we all turn to face him with dread. My stomach sinks at his gutted expression.
“How many?” he asks. A moment later, he closes his eyes. “And Merebeth? Okay. Thank you, Bronson. Please keep us updated.” He hangs up. “Someone was asking Merebeth about Alden earlier today while they were on a grocery run. She said they sounded like they knew we were on to them. It spooked her, so she went straight to the apartment. Some vampires must have followed her, because an hour later they were attacked. There were four of them in the room. Merebeth is the only survivor, and Bronson says if he hadn’t gotten there when he did, she wouldn’t have made it.”
“Oh my God,” Jasmine says, covering her mouth.
“They’re taking her to a healer, but it’s not good.” Forest clenches his teeth.
Jericho stalks toward the door.
“Where are you going?”
“To talk to Kaine! I bethe’sthe one who gave us away!”
Grant, Red, Sage and I all run after Jericho, but they’re twice as fast as me. Damn supernaturals and their super speed.
I hear Jericho’s voice long before I reach the stairs.
“Tell us the truth!” he roars. “Did you talk to any shifters earlier today?”
I reach the bottom landing just as Kaine says, “I spoke to one! I don’t know her name.”
“Female with dark hair?” Grant says.
Kaine flinches. “Maybe.” When Jericho reaches for him, Kaine flies to the opposite corner. “Look, I didn’t hurt her if that’s what you’re thinking! I heard her talking to someone about Alden, so I askedthem some questions. I was just trying to figure out what’s happening in the club so I could get Willow out. When I sensed someone watching us, I left.”
“Vamp?” Grant asks.
Kaine hesitates, then nods.
Jericho takes a step forward. “You idiot! They’re dead because of you!”
“They’re dead because of Foxx, Jer,” I say quickly.
Kaine looks shaken. “Wait, what? They’re dead?”
Grant takes a breath to explain. “The vampire must have followed them back to our lookout, because they attacked our friend’s pack sometime this evening.”
His eyes widen. “Theywere your lookouts?”
“They killed all but one.”
Kaine looks sick. “I was just trying to get information! I swear. If I’d known she was… Oh, fuck. Please. I just want to get Willow out!”
Despite everything that man did to me, I believe him.
I put a hand on Jericho’s arm. “He didn’t mean to tip them off.”
Jericho turns to me.
I shake my head. “This man isn’t with Foxx, Jer. He’s hurting just like the rest of us. That’s all.”
Jericho seems stunned that I’d take Kaine’s side.
“Wait. You think I helped them?” Kaine scoffs. “Fuck no! I want Foxx dead! I told you that! I’ve been trying to find a way to get to him for years!”
