Page 95 of Wanted

“It’s a problem because she isn’t with me.”

“She didn’t want to be with you.”

I suck in a greedy inhale and let my shoulders fall. “Did she say anything else?”

Jack shrugs. “Whitney had to tell her so many times that she didn’t need to be ashamed. I mean, fuck. Can you imagine letting her blame herself after the way we all started out in this life?”

Anger sparks beneath my skin. I lick my lips, my own shame welling to the surface. I actually can imagine, because I let myself feel it every fucking day. Every time I need to count. Every time a compulsion holds me prisoner. I know exactly how she feels when the demons of her past manage to sneak by her defenses.

But I don’t tell him any of that.

I run a hand over my disheveled hair. “Is Whitney still here?”

“She left. Bree took all the kids home while you were busy with Frankie’s family. Whitney headed over there, and she’s going to stay the night while I stay here.”

“You good with that? You should be home with your family.”

“I am with my family.” The look he levels me with is so intense, I break our connection after only seconds. “Corjan will keep an eye over them.”

“Yeah,” I grunt.

“What do you think this joker has up his sleeve next?”

“Fuck if I know, but I doubt he’s gone. He thought weaponizing her mom against her would break her, and I’m not eager to find out what lengths he’s willing to go to. He looked too fucking arrogant to go away quietly.”

“I’m here for you, brother. Frankie too. I don’t know what’s going on with the two of you, but she’s one of us now. We’ll help look out for her.”

“Good luck. She’ll fight us every step of the way.”

“I sort of had that impression already.” Jack grins.

“Fuck, stop smiling.” I rub a tired palm over my face. The scratch of stubble is audible against my hand.

“You should go home and get some rest.”

“I’m going to get some rest, but I’m not doing it at home.”

“Jude…” Jack warns.

I flash him a grin of my own. “You got a spare pillow?”

“How much of a dick does it make me if I say no?”

“A massive one.”

“The things I do for you,” he grumbles and stalks into the room behind the desk, only to return a moment later with a pillow. “Does my big brother need a blankie too?”

“Fuck off. And thank you.”

“Anytime. I mean it, I’ll be here all night, so if you decide to leave, I’ve got an eye on things.”

“I won’t be leaving, but I appreciate it all the same. Which room?”

“She’s in 6.”

I depart for the stairs leading to the second floor. The entire way, I count. Unlike the furious rush when I got here, they roll by on a leisurely scroll.

One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven.

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