Page 50 of In the Monster's Wake
That was nothing like the Jasper Archibald knew.He didn’t think Jasper was being honest, though.Jasper was hurt and probably scared, and he was lashing out.Archibald was sure that as soon as they left the building, they’d be looking for Kester again.
He grabbed Jasper’s arm.Jasper looked at him and nodded, stepping away from his father.He slid his hand into Archibald’s and pulled him toward the exit, but of course, Leroy couldn’t leave it alone.
“What are you doing?”he asked.“Why are you holding hands with that monster?”
“I didn’t tell you?Well, Dad, this is Archie, my boyfriend.”
“You can’t.”
“Why not?He’s a monster like me.”
Jasper was smiling as he pulled Archibald away, but there was no humor in his expression, and his smile slipped as soon as he stepped out of the club.Braith was behind them, and all of them were unscathed.As far as Archibald was concerned, that was a small miracle, and he wasn’t sure how it had happened.He’d been in a room full of hunters and Kester and he didn’t even have a scratch.
“I’m impressed,” a voice drawled from the darkness of the alley by the entrance of the club.
Archibald pushed Jasper behind his back.He would protect his boyfriend, be it the last thing he did—no matter what Jasper thought of it.
Kester stepped forward.“I really thought the hunters would kill you after they found out you’re a monster.Your father has to care about you more than I expected.”
“Leroy only cares about himself.”
“I suppose I can understand that.I thought my son would be interesting, but I’m getting bored.It’s time for me to move on.”
Jasper pushed past Archibald.“You’re not going anywhere.You killed people.You need to pay for that.”
Kester arched a brow.“And who would make me pay for it?You and your friends?The hunters inside that club?We both know you have to leave quickly before the hunters change their minds and come after you.Do you want to risk getting hurt?Do you want to risk your monster getting hurt?Of course, that would happen if you attacked me, too.You can’t expect me not to defend myself, and you know how strong I am.”
Jasper stepped forward anyway.Archibald caught his arm and pulled him back.Jasper fought it, but Archibald wouldn’t allow him to put himself in more danger than they already were in.
“Let me go,” he snapped at Archibald.
“He’s taunting you.”
“You were fun for a while, little hunter,” Kester drawled.“But I’m done playing with you.You’re lucky I don’t feel like getting dirty tonight.”
He turned and stepped back into the darkness.Jasper surged forward, but Archibald didn’t let him go.He didn’t stop Braith whenhemoved, though.
“I was supposed to stop him,” Jasper hissed.
“You wouldn’t have.Hewantedyou to attack him.He wanted to hurt you.”
“If he wanted that, he would have done it without needing an excuse.We fought twice, and I’m still in one piece.”
“Probably.He was playing with you, though.”
Jasper’s shoulders slumped.“I know.”
“He’s gone,” Braith said as he returned to them.“And I don’t think he’ll be back.”
“His son is still here,” Jasper pointed out.
“But he doesn’t care about his son.He doesn’t even care about you,” Archibald gently said.“He just cares about himself, and you heard him.He doesn’t want to deal with this anymore.”
They could only hope that Kester truly was gone.Even if he was, Archibald couldn’t help but wonder if he’d ever come back.He might not be interested in Cullen right now, but who was to say he wouldn’t change his mind about the kid eventually?And who could say for sure that he wouldn’t want to come back to poke at Jasper some more?
Archibald was starting to regret allowing the hunters to interrupt him before he could kill Kester, dammit.
