Page 41 of Jared's Redemption

“What am I going to do with you? How can I love you without hurting you?” He says to himself. My emotions nearly give me away as I fight back the tears and the ache as it builds in my throat. Then his warmth is gone. Coldness seeps in with the sound of the door closing behind him. I curl onto my side, refusing to let myself break. I would show him how to love without hurting each other. He would see.

Waking up before Jared didn’t happen often, and today was a special day for me. After a quick conversation on the phone with my father, I was determined that nothing would stop me. As I pull my black jeans from the dryer, humming from the warmth as I tug them on, I hear Jared groan and shuffle into the kitchen. I didn’t look at him, instead I kept focused as I strap my black boots on.

“Going somewhere?” He asks, trying to sound bored. I shrug, brushing past him as I pick up a leather jacket. He was eyeing me suspiciously, but I could tell his feelings were swaying. For now, at least, I wanted to keep the peace. I’m sure that would change in no time.

After all, he didn’t know that today we were working together.

Knuckles turning white, Alec struggled to contain his annoyance as he clenches his fists on the desk. I was sitting across from him wearing tactical gear and a smirk, while Jared paced behind me and ranted. Markus has a grin plastered to his lips as he watched the insanity unfold in his brother’s office.

“Alec, she is not one of us.” Jared switches tactics. Alec sighs, sitting back and pinning me with a look that told me he wasn’t happy with me. Take a number, buddy, and get in the back of the line.

“She is Vincent’s daughter, and Aden’s sister. We work with them all the time, Jared. Be logical here.” Alec’s tone is cold and level.

“She is a liability and a burden.” Jared snaps. Okay, ouch. I don’t let the insult show on my face, holding composure as I hold Alec’s stare.

“She saved my daughter’s life.” Alec says, crossing his arms as he glances at the photo of Amelia smiling brightly on his desk.

“You don’t owe me for that. What I did was out of love for her.” I say, nodding my head to him.

“I say give her a chance. Worst-case scenario, she gets shot. Again.” Markus says, shrugging and picking his nails with the blade of a knife while watching Jared for a reaction. Jared’s pacing comes to an abrupt stop and I hold my breath. His feet scrape the floor as he walks up to stand over me. His hands grip the back of my chair until the wood groans under his hold.

“Alec, I’m begging you.” Jared’s voice becomes a plea, and my heart tightens painfully.

“I won’t let you down.” I say to Alec, standing and turning to brush past Jared.

His hand whips out, reaching for my arm. I sidestep out of his way and fight the urge to look back at him as I leave the room. The moment the door clicks shut behind me, chaos erupts. Jared starts shouting and Alec roars right back at him, but I keep my head held high and shoulders back while walking towards the front door. Isabelle steps into my path with Amelia sleeping in her arms as she softly sways from side to side.

“Do you love him?” She asks. My controlled demeanor cracks, my shoulders sagging before I pull myself together and give her a curt nod.

“Good, because he loves you. Don’t give up. Don’t let him push you away to punish himself. Sometimes we don’t know how to accept being loved.” She says, pressing a soft kiss to her daughter’s head as a flurry of movement kicks up behind me. They are still arguing as they exit the office and I spin around, hushing them with a sharp hiss and glare. All three men stop in their tracks, eyes flicking to the sleeping child and back to me.

Alec walks up to her, taking their daughter from her arms and kissing Isabelle before nodding to us all and walking away.

“Stealth mission.” Markus grins, wrapping his arms around Isabelle and shamelessly shoving his tongue into her mouth while lifting her off her feet. I turn away, hoping the floor opens under us and swallows me whole before they rip each others clothes off.

“Can we go now?” Jared huffs, making Markus snort a laugh as he lets Isabelle back to her feet. I sneak a peek at them and instantly regret it, the way they look at one another with a love so intense it hurts. Jared catches my eye. A thousand words unsaid dances between the two of us.

His eyes bore into my face, and I break first, looking away and opening the door.

“Don’t rain on my fire because you’ve pissed on yours.” Markus says, sauntering out the door ahead of me. This might have been a mistake because I’m not sure how much of this I can take. Way to kick yourself in the ass, Luna.

“Come home alive. All of you.” Isabelle warns, shutting the door behind us as we load into the car. I dive for the back seat, but Markus throws an arm around my waist and yanks me out, dropping me onto my ass in the driveway.

“What is your problem?” I snap at him, standing and brushing the snow off my backside. Jared grabs Markus by the front of his shirt, slamming him into the SUV and towering over him. Markus just grins, holding his hands up innocently.

“Sorry, big guy. Your girl tried to take my spot, though.” Markus says, winking at me over Jared’s shoulder.

“Don’t fucking touch her again.” He lets go of Markus, not even looking at me as he walks around to get into the driver’s seat.

“You won’t win him back by hiding away. Make him see you, make him feel things for you.” Markus says under his breath before climbing into the back. He was right. I couldn’t just back off now. I really hope there were less painful options that didn’t end with me falling on my ass though.

Chapter 31- Jared

As I check my gun again to ensure the safety was off, I watch Luna from the corner of my eye. Markus was handing her a grenade, pointing to the clip, and her wide eyes were lit up like a kid on Christmas morning. Without thinking, I step up to them, yanking the explosive from her hand and shoving it back into Markus’ hands.

“Put those damn things away. There is expensive merchandise in there and she’s not ready for that yet.” I grumble, turning to hold my hand out to Luna. She looks up at me, wide eyed with pink cheeks from the stiff wind.

“Give me your gun, Luna. I want to double check it.” I say between gritted teeth. She rolls her eyes, pivots on her foot, and walks away from me.

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