Page 40 of The Blood Widow

I stepped away from him, scanning the tree to scout out the best way to climb it as I spoke. “It only listens when I’m in danger…” my voice trailed off, and I glanced his way. He arched an eyebrow in question. We both knew he’d never hurt me. “Or when I need saving.”

I didn’t want to see his face, so I hopped onto the bark, digging my fingers into the crevice of the wood to get away faster. Cole grabbed my ankle before I could get very far. He didn’t say anything until I glance down at him.

“Do I scare you? Is that why you won’t give me a chance? I only have to eat my particular diet once or twice a month to survive. It’s not an everyday thing, and I’d never hurt you. No matter how hungry I was.” The vulnerability tone broke my heart.

“Cole, there hasn’t been a day since I’ve met you that I was scared of you.” I continued the climb. My palms were sweating with how close we were getting to a subject that I didn’t want to discuss, but I couldn’t let him think I was afraid of him.

“Then, why?” The wood cracked slightly under my tight grip. I winced and loosened my fingers. Falling wouldn’t help me right now.

“Can’t you just accept my answer and move on. Then, maybe I could have my friend back,” I whispered the last sentence, but he heard me.

He didn’t say anything for a while as he followed me up the tree. This baby was a lot taller than I thought. It was taking forever to get to my portal.

“What if I can’t be just your friend?” His mumbled words had my heart racing.

I knew it’d be difficult, but I really did want him back in my life. I missed him. Just spending time today doing my normal Blood Widow stuff was better with him around.

I let out a frustrated sigh. “Come on, Cole—” I jerked back when a squirrel ran in front of me, almost falling backwards, but a strong hand on my ass kept me in place. With a thrashing heart, I swatted his touch away. I gave him a grumbled thanks to make sure he knew I appreciated his help. Stupid squirrel wasn’t helping matters.

“What were you saying? Giving me another vague excuse to why we can’t be together?” His tone was vulnerable not bitter, and it soured my stomach like it was supposed to.

He acted like I was the bad guy, and I was the one that knew I’d die fucking alone because he meant too much to me.

There were people out there that thought they could change their future if they knew what would happen. They were wrong. One thing that living for so long had taught me was destiny and fate were sister bitches. They got their way even when people fought against them.

“Whatever Cole. You want to be a dick, go ahead. There is nothing wrong with wanting to just be friends.” A sharp piece of wood dug into my skin, nicking my finger. “Ouch.”

“It is when you fucking love the person.”

I was too afraid to look at him, so I did what I did best and ignored him.

“Don’t just ignore me. I said I fucking love you. Why won’t you give me a chance? You say you’re not scared of me, then why? We’re fucking perfect for each other.”

My head snapped in his direction, the anger finally boiling over. “Fucking stop pushing me. You have this stupid triad and can find a stupid perfect woman. One who can give you more than death and who knows how to cook. A woman like Lauren.”I should have just used my vampire speed to climb the tree, but I was tired. I regretted it now.

I winced and moved faster up the tree. I said too much. Damn him for pulling answers out of me.

Cole stayed hot on my heels. “So, you heard our conversation? Is that why you’re being so stubborn? But that doesn’t make sense because I can feel the sexual tension in the air when they’re around. You like them.”

“So. Just because I haven’t gotten laid in a while doesn’t mean?—"

“It’s more than that and you know it. Triads have fated mates?—”

It was my turn to cut him off. “Don’t you dare start with that shit. It has never been proven. Besides, fate could never be that cruel.” My fingers finally touched the edge of my magic just in time because I was making things worse.

I lifted myself up and crawled through the magical door. Cole kept a grip on my ankle to make sure the portal didn’t close. As soon as my head cleared the other side, I was met with screams.

“Get down, we’re under attack!” Ezra barked out.

All of the exhaustion drained from me. My speed had me up and out of the portal in seconds, pulling Cole halfway through. I flung a demon that ran at me against the wall.

Adrenaline slammed into me at the dozens of demons in the safe house. But what really had everything crashing around me was the bedroom door. It was wide open. They had Brian.

Chapter

Twenty

Ididn’t have to think, Brian’s little voice screaming had me running to the room. The door was cracked like someone tried to close it, but it was kicked in before they could.

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