Page 65 of Revenant

Jaceson’s expression is blank, his brows scrunching up as he searches through his memories for answers. Before he can reply, Sue—the goth pixie girl—pipes up from behind us. “Persuasion. If you can hear her voice, she can force you to do things.”

The guys exchange worried glances, and I don’t take my eyes off Jaceson. Did he honestly not know, or was hetoldnot to remember? What else might she have ordered him to do without him being aware of it?

Jaceson runs a finger down the side of my face, his touch so featherlight that I barely feel it. The adoration in his eyes steals my breath, and he leans down to bump his nose with mine. “Youare thinking so hard that I can practically hear you. She didn’t do anything to me. I was never alone with her.”

“That you remember,” I say, my stomach twisting at the thought of that slut touching him without his consent. The bitch could do whatever she wanted to him, and he would never remember.

Uncaring that I’m still holding hands with Ellis, Jaceson leans down and kisses me hard, never closing his eyes. His stormy blue eyes are strong and steady, and I find myself reassured by his total lack of concern.

He pulls away slowly, his breathing rough, and he licks his lips as if to savor the taste of me. “Funny, but I don’t remember anyone else but you. If she did touch me, she was so inconsequential that I must have forgotten it.”

My eyes widen at his smooth charm, something I didn’t expect from him. He flashes me a roguish wink, then wraps his arms around my shoulder, dragging me with him as he stands in line for lunch, his cocky swagger sexy as fuck. He manages to befuddle me so much that any worry I might have had about the other girl vanishes.

For now.

Later, I plan to beat the shit out of her for daring to touch what is mine.

The guys reluctantly release me to grab our food. Gunner forces his way in line so he’s standing next to me. When he sees the trays and the meager, unappetizing food, he glares at the people behind the counter, every inch of him oozing menace.

The servers hastily slop more food on both of our trays, and I barely hold back a grimace. I peer up at him, leaning against his side, and his aggression immediately dials back. A little coo comes from his chest, and I’m not sure which one of us is more startled. A flush darkens my cheeks, but something about thetiny sound has me melting against him like the bones in my body have turned to jelly.

Instead of embarrassment, his chest puffs up in pride. He grabs both of our trays and guides me toward a table, like I’m a little duckling that might wander off at any moment. I head toward my normal seat, and he dutifully follows.

It doesn’t take long for the rest of the guys to join us, everyone crowding around the one table. Gunner sits at the end of the bench seat, and I’m not sure if it’s because that’s the only spot he will fit or if he’s just prepared to spring into action. He tucks into his food like someone who has been starved at one point in his life, not even bothering to chew most of it.

Jameson takes a seat next to the big guy, and I find it slightly disturbing that he is behaving so well. It’s almost odd not to see him charming someone or causing mischief. I’m not sure I like the change. Ellis sits between us so silently his presence is almost unnoticed. He’s distracted, and I suspect he’s doing something with his abilities. I want to tell him to take it easy, not push himself, but I know he won’t, not until we’re all safe.

With his leg pressed against mine, I allow the chill of the afterlife to soak into him. Jameson shifts, pressing against Ellis as well, and I can sense he’s doing the same, sending healing waves into our resident nerd. His skill isn’t as precise, more flooding him with power like a tidal wave instead of a trickle to search out the injury.

After a moment, Jameson’s power pauses as it watches me work, and he adapts so quickly that I’m in awe. It’s like he has an innate sense of how to use his abilities. It’s not long before I pull back and just watch him heal the headache threatening to crush Ellis’ skull under the pressure. Ellis sags between us when the pain in his head eases, the lines on his face melt away, and he sighs in relief.

To my surprise, Hicks sits on my other side, glaring at anyone who dares to look in our direction for too long. When I don’t immediately start eating, he nudges my tray, pushing the mangled chocolate brownie from his dish onto mine. I didn’t think he was even paying attention, but that’s foolish. Hicks notices everything.

Jaceson takes the remaining seat at the end of the table, and I don’t miss that he pockets an extra set of silverware. He does it so naturally that if I hadn’t been looking, I would’ve missed it.

Half of the guys watch the room for threats, while the other half hovers over me. Most girls might find their actions suffocating, but I’ve been starved for attention for most of my life and relish their care.

Not to mention, they are the perfect buffer for the rest of the room.

Sue and her two men pause at our table, and I smile at her. “You should sit with us.”

The goth pixie with black-tipped golden hair assesses me with shrewd green eyes, quickly picking up that it’s not an invitation. Though she could protest, curiosity piques her interest, and she takes a seat across from me. Her two men follow suit while eyeing the rest of the men at our table suspiciously.

“We are thinking of switching our accommodations later tonight. I thought you might want to know in case you want to join us,” I say cryptically, not daring to say anything else out loud.

Brad nearly pokes out his eye with his straw when he misses his mouth, then catches himself and slurps up a mixture of something lumpy and red from a jumbo-sized cup. DJ hardly pauses in his quest to shove his food into his face as fast as possible, the bloody meat so raw that it barely has a sear on it.

Sue is cool as a cucumber, just cocking her head to the side, absently moving food around her tray as she gazes at me speculatively. “Others have tried the same, failed, and suffered the consequences. Why do you think you will be any different?”

“Hershamn considers her valuable,” Hicks answers for me, a muscle jumping in his jaw. “We have to leave before he takes any more interest in her and takes things too far.”

Sue snorts in amusement, then her green eyes harden when she realizes he is dead serious. After lowering her fork to her tray, she leans back and crosses her arms. “What do you want from us for this invitation?”

I look away at her blunt question, unable to answer why it’s so imperative they join us. “Common decency?”

Sue snorts and rolls her eyes at the absurdity, but her tone is amused when she speaks. “Coming from you, I almost believe it.”

She takes a couple of bites of food, her expression contemplative. Then her eyes lock on mine, a ruthlessness in them revealing that she would be a dangerous enemy if crossed. “Brad, Dillon, and I are a packaged deal.”

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