Page 48 of Primal Bonds

Jace expelled a breath. “Hell, I’m no good at this. But I want to help, Evie.”

“I appreciate that, but it’s not necessary.”

“I had a sister,” he told her. “Older than me, but just by a couple of years.”

“Had a sister?”

He nodded, jaw rigid. “She was around your age when she died.”

“I’m sorry. That sucks.” The anger left her as quickly as it had come. She couldn’t imagine life without Kyler. “So this is because I remind you of your sister?”

He huffed a laugh. “Hell no. Well, maybe. You may be a human, but you’re tough. Nobody pushed Takira around—and she would’ve done anything for me, just like you and Kyler.” He scraped a hand over his short black hair. “But I’m not looking for sympathy. I’m just telling you why I’d like to help.”

“Thank you, but we’re fine. Really.”

“All right. But if you change your mind, I mean it—I’d like to help you, Evie.”

She could’ve sworn she saw a flicker of pain in his eyes, but why would he care if she accepted his help? He was only there to repay a debt because apparently, his sense of honor demanded it.

He turned toward the door. “I’d better be going. Thanks for the beer.”

“No problem.” She chewed her lip. “Jace?”

Ask him, you chicken. Ask if he wants to see you again. Because her body was still humming, and she was afraid that when he left this time, it would be forever.

He swung back toward her. “What?”

The back door slammed open and Kyler burst inside. The two of them leapt away from each other.

“Evie?” He turned on Jace. “You are hitting on my sister. I didn’t believe him.”

Jace’s head whipped around. “Believe who?”

“That guy outside. The one from your clan.”

“My clan? I’m here alone.” He turned to Evie, suddenly all soldier. “Use the phone. It will go to my quartz, but if I don’t answer, it will route to Adric next. Tell him to get up here. Stat. And you, Kyler”—he stabbed a finger at her brother—“lock the door and don’t open it for anyone but me or Adric.”

Her brother’s mouth dropped open. “What the fuck’s going on?”

“That’s what I’m going to find out. But I need you to stay in here with your sister. Can you do that?”

Kyler looked from him to Evie and then jerked his chin. “Yep.”

“Good man.” Jace clapped Kyler on the back.

To Evie he said, “You’ll call Adric?”

“Yeah.” She showed him the quartz phone already in her hand. Behind her, Kyler grabbed the baseball bat they kept in the pantry.

“Lock the door,” Jace repeated, “but if someone breaks in, swing first. Your only chance is to take them by surprise.”

Kyler tightened his grip on the bat. “I’m on it.”

And then Jace was out the door.

Chapter 15

Jace hadn’t meant to let Evie see him. He’d been there every night this week, blending into the shadows, and she’d never even suspected. But tonight, he’d known his eyes had gone night-glow in the dim light. He could’ve lowered his lids when she’d turned toward him.

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