Page 80 of Bitter Discord

“Let’s not forget it,” Zuri said, her smile never fading.

“There’s no reason to threaten Andon,” I reminded her. “He’s stating the obvious. Our family does nothing quietly. Or without leaving a trail of dead bodies in our wake.”

“In that way, Jacky Leon, you fit right in with them,” Ysabel teased. “Werewolves, witches, fae… other werecats.”

“And vampires,” I added. “Jabari and I discovered vampires had killed Gaia and Titan in Washington.”

“That pair was so… odd,” Ysabel said with distaste.

“They were good people,” Zuri snapped. “Better than most everyone in this room.”

“And they’redead,” Ysabel fired back. “That’s what happens togood people. They trust people less fortunate and let unsavory people into their lives. They open their hearts and their homes to others, who then take advantage of their kindness. Then they die becauseno onecan be trusted that much. Why do you think I’m here and not out there or in my five-star hotel room? I’m not willing to die just yet. Sorry. And you said most everyone. Who do you think…” Ysabel smiled. “Oh, that’s so sweet. Jacky, your older sister thinks you’re a good person. She’s too honest to think she or anyone else in your family is, but she thinks you are.”

For a moment, I considered what Zuri would say if I told her I thought she was a decent person, good if someone wanted to use that word. I could hear her response without needing to force her to say it. She would deny it, saying something about the terrible decisions she’d had to make throughout her immortal life, and while she had tried to make up for many of them, that didn’t change the fact that she did them.

I finally focused on Ysabel, putting my phone away because everyone was hovering.

“I like to believe I try to be a good person. I have a set of beliefs and stick to them, like most people, good or bad. If you have a problem with that, maybe you should take a long look at yourself in the mirror. At least I have beliefs I’m willing to put my life on the line for, whether or not they put me in danger.”

“And they’re why you’ll get killed one day. It’s just a simple fact.”

“Just like it’s a simple fact that silly little girls with bad attitudes will get themselves killed because they’re likely to piss off the wrong person,” Zuri growled.

Ysabel took a step back, her fear filling the room.

“Zuri, it’s fine.” Shrugging as I got up from my seat, I decided to find a quieter room. This was officially not something I felt like dealing with. “She can believe what she wants.”

“She’s half-threatening you and implying you’re weak,” Zuri said, her nostrils flaring as she glared at Ysabel.

“She’s telling me she has a weak spine and is unwilling to take risks for anything,” I replied, seeing Zuri’s face change from glare to consideration at my take on the interaction. “That she isn’t worth having as a friend or an ally. She won’t be invited to speak her piece again by me or anyone in the family.”

Zuri’s temper cooled into a smile.

“I am so protective over you, and I don’t need to be. You’re right. She won’t be. I’ll make sure the family knows her name should be stricken from any list going forward.” Zuri looked at me standing and raised an eyebrow. “Something you need to do?”

“I’m going to find a quiet place where I don’t have to listen to this. If there’s nothing important they need or want to say, I’m not sticking around to listen to the immaturity and conniving bullshit.” I had to consider Lonan was still in the mansion as well, that Zuri and I were just waiting for him to decide he wouldn’t stick around.

“Of course. I’ll keep them entertained. If anything happens, you know where to find me.”

“Of course.”

I went into the office near the front door, my anxiety rising with every passing moment. I didn’t care about Ysabel, Marcia, or even Andon and Elissa. Lonan bothered me, but I had a plan for that.

Inhaling deeply as I stood in the middle of the office, I caught the leftover scents of Heath and Landon. Heath’s scent comforted me, knowing he was with the pack, ready to handle anything that came our way, while Landon’s reassured me Heath would be fine. His son always had his back.

I texted Heath as I sat, asking about how the pack was doing and if everyone was in position. His reply was a quick explanation. They had Fenris with them and were using Landon’s mansion in Dallas as their base of operations in the same neighborhood as the mansion. Ranger and Dirk were still at my home in the security building, watching for any sign of activity from Arlo’s phone. Teagan and Kody were settling into a long night with the BSA.

All anyone had to do now was wait.

There won’t be another victim tonight. The werecats found new places to stay closer to the mansion so we could respond faster. The BSA has four agents on each werecat. If anyone shows up and tries to hurt someone, we’ll be able to stop it, to save them. They just need to keep themselves alive until we get there.

There was an odd feeling. I had never been so in control of a situation. Normally, I was running around, trying to dodge bullets and get control. For once, I felt as if they might have gotten the upper hand to start, but I was taking every step to make sure they would stop before this escalated further.

“Your sister fucks adog, and you expect me to stay here in the same building as her?” Lonan roared.

“It’s not like she’ll be in your bed,” Zuri snapped back, her volume rising with every word. “She has better tastes than that.”

“Did you just—”

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