Page 67 of Frayed Owner

I let out a slow breath when I was alone in my warded dorm room so I could make a call when I knew no one was listening. I connected the call and my confidence boosted when she answered almost immediately.

“Glad you got my message,” she greeted. “I almost thought I’d sent it to the wrong number with how long it took you to respond.”

I snorted. “You already know you had my number correct with how things turned out with Kevin Rose. I already figured out it was a second number for you, Jean.” I hurried on over the fib so she couldn’t try for it. “Let’s be better than the ‘top-tier’ men who ruin things like you suggested and stop with the stupid games.

“I’m way too busy for that and I know you are. I also know Jasmine gave over the evidence of my abuse from Alex so you could share it with the family. I’m glad you agreed none of those pictures would leave your possession given we know how many would be unscrupulous with them even if I’m underage.”

“There are lines I won’t ever cross, and I believe you are the same,” she hedged.

“I won’t say ever,” I countered. “I will do a lot in the name of survival and protecting myself. I won’tattackand cross lines.”

“Touché, baby sister,” she chuckled darkly. “So what are you offering in this tit for tat since we’re dropping the games?”

I was fine with not beating around the bush either. “Ammo against Hughes to protect yourself against his attacks that we both know are coming.”

“I was hoping you would say that,” she admitted. “My idea with Clare was shortsighted. I thank you for—”

I bristled at that and her so obviously trying to play me. “Don’t bullshit me, Jean. I’m not here for it and we’re never going to be friends.”

“No, we’re not and I don’t care to be, but I’m serious. That was a knee-jerk move feeling like I was backed into a corner already. One Clare didn’t deserve. Grandmother laid into me that I was better than starting off being a hypocrite and she was right.” She cleared her throat. “Not that I’d ever admit that publicly, and if you’re stupid enough to record this call—”

“I’m not, and I’m not planning on attacking you. I meant what I said from the very beginning. If you all leave me alone, I will leave you alone. You’ve already said no more sacrificing, and that was my only worry. But youarea hypocrite already with lying about everything and painting me in a bad light that I wasn’t on the fucking chopping block.”

“Oh, don’t throw stones about lying, Ms. Owner,” she chuckled darkly.

“That’s notremotelythe same when my lies are to protect myself and—”

“And mine aren’t?” she snapped, her voice cold. “IneedGrandmother to survive right now. I’m roadkill if this fails, and believe what you want, I did it in part to save Clare from the Haddocks, Clare in particular. And I was against you being mated off to those disgusting people as well. I didn’t know Hughes’s son beat people.

“I didn’t. I knew he was a cad. They all are and who cares? But she should be able to make her own choices and is not a mare. I was wrong. But I willnotapologize for lying to save my ass right now. It wasn’t for PR or lies about me. It was for survival of me, Bryan, and this family. Even you if you can’t see it right now.

“Do I like that it ran you over a bit? No, that’s why I said firmly that I supported your shining at Morrigan and even threw in about Clare because she does deserve that. So don’t call me a hypocrite when I lie to protect myself same as you, baby sister.”

“I will think about that, and you’re probably not wrong, but enough with the ‘baby sister’ shit when you’ve never really been a big sister to me,” I snapped right back.

“Fine. What about Hughes?” she asked, sounding tired more than mean.

“His right hand is finding familiars and going around to orphanages with them. He keeps track of them—completely circumnavigates the companies who do that for our world.”

“And one of them is allies with the Hughes,” she whispered, immediately understanding why this was such a big deal.

“Yes, yes they are,” I purred.

“How do I know this is real?” she hedged.

“You are not to use his name or throw him in the fire,” I warned, taking her grunt of agreement as enough. “Winter Green is one of them. He talked to me about the man with the ‘weird ass silver mustache and piercing yellow eyes.’ Sound like anyone we all get creeped out by?”

“Yes, he is a disgusting man,” Jean agreed. “I assume you were smart enough to show him a picture?”

“Yes, Clare had one from an event,” I confirmed. “I can also tell you he’s tried to get a spy into Familiar Treasures. One of his corrupt cops wanted to be security at the treat factory.”

She snorted. “Only Hughes? That’s the shocking part.”

“No, of course not, and we’ve kicked them all out, but Hughes was first and a bit reckless with the attempt. Why be so interested in treats for familiars?”

“He’s making a move,” she muttered. “Taking over that company?”

“Coming out with a competitor? Taking over the other company that he’s not friends with?” I added.

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