“Sixes,” I growl.
She lifts her head in defiance. “You aren’t my commanding officer, Shadow. Don’t forget I've known you practically my whole life. So don’t pull that Alpha shit on me. If you want to go on pretending that you’re not her lawyer, or that you didn’t have a hand in directing some of the things that occurred in her life, or the fact that you have always protected her, then that’s on you. What are you going to do when she chooses a mate who isnotyou? You still plan on sneaking into her room when you think everyone is asleep or meet her at the club for a secret rendezvous? You still plan to be a part of her life, lurking in the shadows?”
I take a threatening step forward, curling my lip as another growl vibrates in my chest.
She doesn’t cower like most people. She stands her ground, and I’m not used to it. “All I’m saying is that your story doesn’t have to end the way it did. It doesn’t have to continue the way it has. I believe a part of her is still in love with you, even if it has been years. You’ll never truly know unless you try.” She holds out her hand, and a familiar jewelry box sits in her palm.
I don’t need to open it to know what’s in it. I stare down at the box and hesitantly pick it up. “How? I tossed it after I...”
“I know. I was there. I knew you would regret it when you sobered up. And I was right because a few days later, Emily and I returned to your apartment to find it trashed because you went looking for it.”
I turn the box over in my hand. In truth, I don’t remember everything during that time. I resorted to drinking my ass off todrown out the mess in my head. If it wasn’t for Anders, Emily, and Sixes, I don’t know what shape I would be in right now. “Thank you.”
She smiles and gives me a curt nod before heading for the door.
“Sixes.”
She stops but doesn’t turn around.
“Thank you for being there for me when I hit the lowest point in my life. And thanks for keeping my secrets. Apparently, you know a lot more than I thought you did. You’re a good friend, and I appreciate your honesty. Emily was always the one to call me on my shit. It's been a long time since anyone else had the balls to do it.”
She flashes me a wide smile over her shoulder. “You didn’t hear? My balls are much bigger than most people’s. It’s just been a while since you and I talked.” Without another glance, she’s out the door.
I glance down at my watch. It’s been more than fifteen minutes. I guess I better make it good.
It's time, Tyler. Time for me to step back completely and let you take over again.
Chapter 61
Rat Trap
JESSICA
Six Years Ago
We continue to stand lined up along the walkway as we watch the back of Owen’s car disappear in the distance. Justin's and Jeremy’s hands rest on my shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze each time I sniff back the tears. My heart breaks for Owen, having to endure the loss of his mother alone.
Don’t worry. When we find Shadow and figure out what the hell is going on, we’ll check in on him,Jeremy reassures me through our mind link.
He’s one of us. Doesn’t matter if he finishes the program or not.I pat Justin’s hand and nod in Jeremy’s direction.
“Everyone in the training room! The Leads have an announcement,” Ean instructs. The Leads nod, expecting everyone to file out and follow orders.
The Leads don’t enter the training room right away, giving Odyssey and me a chance to check in with the remaining recruits’ minds. Nothing significant stands out. If I had to point the finger at someone, it would be Beaver. He was thinking about his list of things to do before the end of the day—write a letter to his mommy, wash his clothes in color-coordinated loads, fold his laundry, put away his laundry.
I stand in the back of the group, like I normally would, and glance over at Odyssey, standing in line a few spaces to the right.
Is it me, or is Beaver’s train of thought a little forced? I ask him.
He frowns.Maybe, but he’s been doing that all morning, Odyssey responds through our mind link. He’s taking this whole magic thing quite well, like it's second nature. So are Darwin, Alexis, and Squirrel, like they had magic their entire lives.
You don’t think it’s odd? I mean, why would someone just randomly start thinking about their laundry and a to-do list of assignments?I also can’t glean any further thoughts from his mind. Can you?
No, but I think he’s just nervous. He’s fallen down the scoreboard significantly.
I scoff out loud, causing a few of the recruits to glance in my direction.Don’t you think if he was nervous, that he would have rampant thoughts of failing the finals in his head, instead of a to-do list and visualizing color-coordinating his dirty clothes?
You know what I think? I think you want it to be him because he picked on you the most and landed you in the clinic more times than you care to admit.
