“You will be imprisoned for your crimes, Caiaphas. I should end you now and not waste my time. But Marcus has other plans for you,” Dane said.
“Kill me now!” He spat. “Or when I get free, I swear I will kill all of you.”
“Death is too easy. Your punishment will be darkness so deep there will be no escape. Take him away,” the man with the blue eyes ordered.
The two large vampires holding Caiaphas disappeared with their prisoner. The man stepped forward and shook Dane’s hand.
“Well done,” the man said. The female glanced at Jenny and then quickly looked away.
“Thank you, Marcus.” Dane bowed.
The two men spoke to each other for a few more minutes before the vampire and the woman disappeared.
Why didn’t he introduce me to them? He must be too angry for pleasantries.
Dane never made eye contact with her and she got a terrible feeling in her gut. She hoped that once she explained her actions, he would forgive her. Marley was safe and back with her mate, so whatever she had to deal with for the decision she’d made was worth it.
She looked over her shoulder and noticed her two friends were gone.
Where’d they go?
She twirled around. They were probably spending time alone making up, she hoped.
“Jenny,” Ivanna called out as she limped toward her with a huge gash on her right flank that caused Jenny to flinch. The sacrifices that were made this night could not be overlooked. Dirt and blood covered her friend’s face and hands, as if she’d been biting and clawing—which she probably had, through the scores of Rogues who’d attacked. Other than the large gash on her flank and the cuts and bruises that littered her skin, she appeared to be okay.
“How are you?” Jenny bit her lip nervously.
“I’m no worse for the wear. It was a good fight. Your friends left. I saw Harris trace with her. It’s probably for the best. I heard the Order wants to arrest him.”
“No good deed is ever noticed, is it?”
“He broke his vow to the Order and must answer for it.”
“It’s not fair.” Punishment was harsh in their world—no forgiveness. A surge of uneasiness swept over her like a tidal wave. She tried to sort out the ramifications of her actions and what effect it would have on her relationship with Dane. Fear licked at the edges and she tried to ignore it.
“I can’t believe I’m saying this but I have to agree with you.” Ivanna regarded her with sympathy.
“Maybe Dane can put in a good word for him. Let’s hope.” She tried to sound reassuring.
“Are you okay?”
She was such an easy read. No, she was not okay. Worry consumed her over what the future held. “Not really but I’m working through it. How’s Dmitri?” She decided to get it over with and ask. Hopefully he wouldn’t forbid them from having contact.
“He’s angry but I’m sure I’ll be able to smooth things over.” Ivanna didn’t sound convincing.
“I hope so.” But really she knew better.
“Where’s your friend?” Dane’s angry voice caused her to cringe as he came up behind her. He gripped her wrist and whipped her around—she collided into his unyielding chest. She sucked in a breath at the angry glare that greeted her. It was unnerving.
“She, uh, left with Harris.” Her head snapped up to meet his cold gaze. Her heart slammed in her chest. Only this time it wasn’t from desire—it was fear.
“You’re always protecting the fucking enemy.”
Jenny couldn’t even begin to comprehend his words. Did she hear him right? Marley wasn’t their adversary. “I don’t know what you mean.” She needed to think.
He released his hold. Anger glinted in his eyes. “Harris needs to answer for what he’s done.” There was pure venom in his words.
“I’m sorry…” She could feel her face fall. Did he even care how his words affected her?
“Fine, protect them if you must,” he fumed as he simply walked away, leaving her standing there speechless.
She somehow found her voice even though she wanted to sink down and weep. “Dane, wait, please.” The churning in her stomach intensified as she called after him. She gazed at his broad shoulder, his thick black hair, and his powerful form tensed as he paused.
I can’t lose him.
Unable to move, she held her breath and waited for him to turn around. But he didn’t.
“You and I will talk later. I need to transport everyone home first.”
Her heart sank when he kept going without saying another word.
“He’s not going to forgive me.” She stood there with a hollow pang in her chest.
“He will. Give him some time.” Ivanna touched Jenny’s shoulder.
“I’m really sorry for dragging you into all this.” Her fingers inched up to her mouth to cover the sob threatening to break free.
“Don’t cry, girl. You must be strong.” Ivanna’s worried glance didn’t soothe Jenny’s fear. It made it worse.
“Let’s get you home.” Numb with pain, she traced them back to the den.
* * * * *
Jenny returned to the field several more times to help transport the rest of the shifters. Dane must have been silently transporting them, one by one, to Caiaphas’ property to help with the rescue efforts. It made her heart ache to think about what he went through to try to save her life. He loved her, or why would he go through the effort? Surely they could work this out.
Dmitri was one of the last shifters left. He had refused to go first.
She decided not to be a coward. “Are you ready to go?”
“Not with you.” His response was curt and the anger in his eyes left no mistake that he was not in a forgiving mood. She deserved his wrath but not Ivanna.
“Please don’t be mad at Ivanna. I talked her into going with me.”
“My mate left the protection of her pack. She is just as much to blame as you. I am disappointed in her but that is between us. You, on the other hand, are reckless and cannot be trusted. Many lives could’ve been lost this night. If you were one of us, I’d punish you myself. But you’re not.” He spun on his heels and left her standing there.
Her shoulders sank as Dane and Dmitri disappeared. Hot tears poured from her eyes, replacing those she’d wiped away. A few minutes later, Dane reappeared. It was just her and him now and his anger hadn’t faded.
“Hi.” She tried to dismiss it and face the music. She deserved it.
“Is that all you have to say to me?” He stared with fury.
“I’m afraid saying sorry isn’t going to be enough at this point.” She would if it helped.
“You’re right.” He shoved a blade back into its sheath after wiping it off on his pants. His demeanor was chillingly icy. Like the darkness that engulfed them.
“I didn’t mean to go back on my word.” She barely curbed a wince.
“Then what did you mean to do?” he asked menacingly, his features twisted.
“I don’t know. You never returned my calls. I was worried. Things were happening. I-I didn’t think that far ahead.” She was flustered by his increasing rage.
His next comment stopped her cold. “That’s because you’re too fucking impulsive.”
She saw her own pain reflected in his eyes but he didn’t seem to notice how his words sliced through her. How could she fix this? She took a step forward and he stepped back.
“Will you please forgive me?” What else could she say?
“Why should I? You’ll just do it again.” He scowled at her.
She exhaled loudly. “It’s not fair to judge me so harshly.”
“After the stunt you pulled, I don’t see how I’m being unfair to you.” He pressed his lips together in displeasure.
“I’m sorry, truly I am.” She didn’t know what to do. But it seemed he wasn’t going to be swayed by an apology.
“Save it. I don’t want to hear any more. I’ll meet you back at the cabin to grab your things. I’ll take you back to your apartment in New York. We’ll talk there.” He traced without another word.
Stunned, she followed. She started to grab her things in silence. Maybe he wasn’t leaving her.
Fear rode her hard as she came downstairs with her things. She looked around the cabin, hoping it wouldn’t be the last time she saw this place.
He took hold of her arm and traced them to her apartment without saying a word.
“Why did you bring me here?”
He released his hold. “I need to tie up some loose ends in the next several days. I also need to travel to London, alone. You’re staying here.”
Dread swept over her and pooled inside her belly. He was through with her. The agony was all-consuming. “Why can’t I go with you?” She didn’t want to accept the obvious. They were mated and hadn’t he said that meant forever? Or was that a lie meant to deceive her?
“I want to go alone.” His tone remained clipped.
“When will you be back?” Why was she being punished for caring about her friend? Someone she loved. If he cared enough, he’d see there was no malice in what she’d done.
“I’m not sure.” He was unaffected, so cold.
“Can I ask you something?” Not that the answer really mattered anymore but she was curious.
He shrugged. “What is it?”
“How come you never responded to any of my texts or calls? I tried to get a hold of you to find out what was happening but you never responded. I was panicked. Can’t you see it from my side?”
His severe expression softened slightly before he masked whatever emotion he was feeling and the coldness quickly returned. “I never received your texts because I was on a different continent and my phone was shut off for a reason. Also, I was scouting and didn’t want to alert others of my presence. I told you I’d call if I had something to report. The fact that I didn’t get your messages isn’t a reason to betray me or involve Ivanna after you promised me you’d wait. This isn’t going to work between us.”
“Are you breaking up with me?” She flinched. His voice was so severe and angry.
“There’s no trust in our relationship. I can’t be mated to you without it.”
“So you’re breaking up with me?” She tried to remain stoic in his presence.
“Call it what you will, but I need some space to come to terms with what you’ve done.”
“Please don’t do this, I was scared. What was I supposed to do? My best friend needed my help.” Damn him.
She’s my best friend for god’s sake.
He was such a bastard. All men were. She wouldn’t regret her decision. Not when he cared so little for what mattered most to her.
“You and Ivanna were almost killed tonight because of your stunt.”
“I’m sorry but Marley is very important to me. She was the only person I could trust in my human life, the only person who never let me down. Can’t you understand why I did what I did, even if you don’t agree with my reasoning?”
“Your commitment is to me, not her. You should have waited until I returned.”
“You arrogant prick. If you’d kept in contact with me like you said you would, I could’ve told you what had happened.” Fucker wasn’t going to shoulder her with all the blame.
“That’s no excuse to take off.”
“Isn’t it? I was torn. She needed me. Damn you.” She was beyond pissed at him. How dare he tell her she shouldn’t care about someone she loved? Who the hell did he think he was? Self-righteous asshole, that’s who.
“You gave me your word. I can’t trust what you say anymore because of your reckless disregard for your own safety and that of others.” The disappointment and hurt she saw in his eyes caused her to lose some of her steam.
“You’re right but I’m not the only one with trust issues.” She decided it was time to point his out as well since they were finally being real with each other.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“Even after you broke my heart, I threw caution to the wind and let you back in again. I make a few mistakes and you’re ready to end what we have together. I think you to need to take a hard look in the mirror, buddy, when it comes to trust because you are totally lacking in it.” It was clear he was struggling to contain his temper. But she was ready. Bring it on. If they were going to fight, let it be a good one.
“Don’t you fucking turn this around on me, Jenny Harlon.”
“Why not—if the shoe fits, you should wear it.” She tried to keep her tone patronizing to emphasize her point.
“I didn’t put lives in danger. Ivanna could’ve been killed. Were you willing to live with that?”
She shook her head. “No.”
“I have to go.” He lowered his gaze.
Dane was still so brutally handsome. She had never been good with males. Life had been so unfair. She would never feel his warm embrace or hear his declaration of love again and she couldn’t fathom that.
Desperate, she reached for him. “Please, Dane.”
“Don’t touch me!” His jaw clenched.
She recoiled at his words. He made her feel like a discarded lover when he avoided her touch. Pain tore through her chest at his rebuke. “If you do this to me again, don’t expect me to be here when you come back.”
“Very well.” His words were cold, indifferent. “I’ll wire money into your account.”
“Keep your fucking money, I don’t want it.” Her voice caught.