Page 8 of Phantom’s Mate

Nick couldn’t help himself—he started laughing. “You have no idea of the multitudinous dick jokes that just popped into my head. The only reason I’m not saying them is that there were so many I couldn’t pick one.”

“Yeah well. Keep them to yourself. My gramma told me the same thing—about the nice underwear just in case—but she did not stress that I’d be wearing it for eternity.” Her eyes widened, like she’d had a sudden thought. “Do you think that’s why I didn’t see the light? God took one look and was like, ‘You’re too slutty for heaven’?”

Not being destined for human heaven, Nick had no idea. But he had definite thoughts on the matter. “Babe, if there’s no bad girls in heaven, I’m not going.”

She pursed her lips and nodded, but he could see her holding back a smile. “Uh huh. Now we know the real reason you’re still here. You’re looking for a bad girl.”

“I’m not looking for a girl at all.” He was looking for revenge.

Brittany looked down at their hands, still clasped, and pulled hers away self-consciously. “I didn’t mean—” She broke off. “Well. Anyway. Thanks for the info.”

Nick’s hand suddenly felt cold and empty, and he closed his fist, looking away.

Now her feelings were hurt. This was why he didn’t deal with women and their emotions. It took him approximately ten minutes to fuck up.

His connection to Jax surged inside him. Ah, hell.

“Look,” he said, “I have to go.”

She opened her mouth as if she were going to protest, then closed it again, looking down. “I understand.” She took a deep breath. “Can you at least show me the way out?”

He didn’t know what to say to that. It was something in her own mind keeping her here. The barrier was of her making, but she obviously didn’t realize that.

Apparently, though, his silence said it for him.

“You don’t think there is one,” she said softly. “Not for me.”

Nick said carefully, “I think something is holding you here. Whatever it is you can’t remember.”

Her face fell, and she bit her lip. Hell, she’d been alone here for two years. But he couldn’t exactly fix that. Except…

“Look,” he said. “I know someone who knows about ghosts. A couple of people, actually. They might be able to help you figure out what your unfinished business is. Or at least help you get better weather. I could ask them, if you want.”

Britt looked stunned. “Really? You’d do that for me?”

Her look of hope went straight to his heart—which he immediately shut down. He couldn’t get all involved with her stuff. He had his own to deal with.

But those eyes…

He heard himself saying, “Yeah, sure. I’ll see what I can do.”

He rose to his feet, then reached down amidst her tentacles to help her up. When she was standing, he went to let go of her hand, but somehow he didn’t.

“Thanks,” she said. “For the talk, and—for talking to your friends.”

She looked up into his eyes, that hope shining out. Like he was some kind of hero. Ah, fuck.

He said, “And I will come back. I promise.”

“You better. Don’t make me release the Kraken.”

He laughed, finally letting go of her hand. “Zeus forbid.”

Chapter 5

Brittany watched Nick walk away, feeling like she was alone on a desert island and the only ship she’d seen in two years was sailing away from her.

Her chest hurt, and it was all she could do not to run after him and beg him not to go.