Page 17 of Reign

I gripped the edge of the sink, not sure why he was suddenly against me spending time with my own father. “No, honestly. I’ll be fine.”

A growl rumbled from his chest. I froze, something inside me going on alert, a distant howling making my head throb more viciously.

"No! You won't!" He strode forward, and grabbing my shoulders, spun me around. To keep from stumbling sideways, I grabbed his hips. I needn't have worried, though. He steadied me immediately. I liked the feel of his solid strength under my hands, so I didn't remove my grip. My heart flipped as his pupils dilated, his gaze darkening. He slowly raised his hand and brushed my messy red hair back from my face.

“Sweetheart, your father...he’s a dangerous man.”

I frowned. “What do you mean? He’d never hurt me.”

"I know you think he has your best interests at heart, but he honestly doesn't. He is the kind of man who looks after himself, and only himself."

My brows dipped. Why was he suddenly warning me off my own father, the man he worked for? “Jed, stop. What are you talking about?”

His wide shoulders rose and fell as he expelled a deep and slightly shaky breath. “I’ll tell you everything soon. I promise.” His gaze landed on my lips, and a pained look crossed his face.

My stomach twisted. I shook my head, my throat so tight my words were almost whispered. “Jed, you’re scaring me. What’s wrong?”

He huffed a bitter laugh. “Everything. But I’m about to put it right.” He swallowed hard and cupped my face with his hands, his stern face softening. Something tightened in my chest. Holding my gaze, he leaned in and brushed my lips with his, then pulled back. “Gods, I wish you were mine. But it’s too late for that. And I won’t let any harm come to you, not now.”

“What do you mean?” I whispered, holding him tighter. I didn’t understand, but I could hear the pain and regret in his voice.

“I mean, this is all a lie. This house, our life, even you, but the one thing that is real is that I wish you really were mine.”

I wanted to reassure him, to tell him that I was his, but the words wouldn’t come. They weren’t true, and we both knew it.

“It’s okay, sweetheart, I get it, and, I swear, soon you will too. Listen, I have to go out for a while. Please, if your father comes home early, stay away from him.”

I nodded, not understanding but willing to trust him. After all, what did I really know about my father? Or even Jed? Nothing. But of the two, I trusted Jed more.

Jed’s mouth curled into a soft smile, and he rested his forehead on mine. “Good girl. Don’t worry, I’ll be back soon, and I’ll tell you everything.” But he made no move to pull away. Our breath mingled, electricity zipped between us, and I saw the moment his eyes flared. “Oh, fuck it. Just one more time.” His lips pushed against mine, warm, soft and consuming. For once, as he touched me, my head didn’t hurt. This wasn’t a kiss full of passion or need; it didn’t set me on fire. But as his lips moved over mine, his tongue stroking gently against mine, as his taste filled my senses, it felt more like a sensual goodbye kiss, one full of longing. I felt tears prick my eyes though I couldn't say why. This time instead of a wolf howling, all I heard was a sad kind of whimper, as if that imaginary being inside me sensed Jed's mood.

He pulled away and smiled, but it looked forced. “I’ll be back soon, and I’ll explain everything.” He brushed my cheek with his fingers. “I only hope that you will forgive me.”

“Why would I need to forgive you? What have you done?” My fingers gripped his shirt.

He tipped his head back and blew out a breath between his pursed lips. When he looked back at me, his eyes were dark and shining. I swallowed hard, knowing I was the cause of the devastation I saw there but unsure what I'd done.

"I've betrayed you, Em, I've lied to you, I've kept secrets from you, I've taken you away from the people who love you, but most of all…." The column of his throat bobbed, his face twisted. "I've fallen in love with you, and I can't let Rex destroy you any more than I can be a part of your destruction or unhappiness any longer."

With that, he turned and walked away. I stood frozen, my mouth agape, staring after him. What the fuck? He loved me? Why was that so terrible? We were engaged. Weren't we? I released a shaky breath, his words suddenly registering. Not caring that I was dressed in my short nightie, I bolted after him. I needed to know what was going on.

"Jed! Jed! Wait!" My feet slapped against the marble floor, my heart racing. But I was too late. By the time I ran out of the front door and onto the courtyard, his bike was disappearing down the driveway.

Dread dragged at my chest. I hoped he’d return soon, I needed to know what the hell was going on, but instinct told me I wasn’t going to like it.

Chapter 7

Connor

The tantalising aromaof strong coffee filled my nose. I inhaled deeply, glad of its soothing fragrance as I watched people meander by with their designer and boutique shopping bags. My seat was in the coffee shop’s window, just as the message on my phone had instructed.

“Sophie, stop fidgeting.”

“I can’t. He’ll know I’m here. I know he will.” Sophie’s gaze darted over the people outside before studying the faces of those in the cafe.

“How? You can glamour your appearance as well as any fae or doppelganger I’ve ever met. And whoever sent me this message did it after we booked into our hotel. They don’t know you are part of my team. Unless you used the same name at the Gambit as you did when you worked for him?” I narrowed my eyes on the woman who had once only been known as Velvet to me. She was nervous, and the alpha in me hated that I could sense her anxiety and her underlying fear, especially when she was normally ultra controlled and, if anything, cold towards others. Her hair was jet black and bobbed, her face covered in piercings, and her makeup was thick and brash. The goth look suited her, but I wasn’t sure if she liked it or if it was just a way to hide what she really looked like.

“I, err, changed my name.”

---