Page 99 of Guarded
But after seeing how he’d treated Micah on the beach? The total disregard he’d had for Atlas, Rowan, and me?
That was the final breaking point. The time I walked away from him, knowing I’d never return.
Now, with Jem, I had a compelling reason to stay strong. Lyle’s vile brand of affection and attention would never satisfy me.
I’d never need it to. I knew better now. I had better.
I had Jem.
Jem’s lips thinned. Behind me, heat flared. From the scent, I knew he’d set Lyle’s body aflame. I frowned. Lyle was at least a minute away from reincarnating. “Why did you do that?”
“Because I don’t like the look in your eyes,” Jem said quietly, letting Lyle burn. “I’m guessing it’s there because ofhim.If I can’t execute him, I can at least hurt him a little more.”
It was on the tip of my tongue to point out that, being dead, Lyle currently couldn’t feel anything at all. But it was the thought that counted. The intent behind Jeremiah’s actions.
Actions he was taking to avenge me. To protect me.
I hadn’t realised I needed it, and perhaps I didn’t.
But god, did I want it.
“Noah and I will be leaving now that you vamps are here,” Jeremiah continued, not taking his eyes off me. “I trust you’ll be able to manage.”
Atlas cleared his throat. “Actually, Noah, I was wondering if we could discuss how to proceed going forwards.”
The weight that had been lifted by Jeremiah’s arrival returned to my shoulders. Would I never escape Lyle? I just wanted to get out of here, to go back to the Seraphim and my peace of mind.
But that was selfish. I’d left Juniper, but that didn’t mean I needed to abandon them. I straightened my shoulders and prepared to agree.
Before I could answer, Jem turned to face Atlas. “Do youreallyneed Noah?”
Atlas frowned. “What?”
Jem’s tone was even, but I could feel the heat rising. This time, it wasn’t coming from Lyle’s body, but Jem himself. He might have looked calm, but he was close to losing it. “Is Noah necessary for whatever is going to be discussed?”
From the corner of my eye, I saw Dash ushering the vampires out of the room. That didn’t surprise me—he’d always been the most astute of us.
Atlas shifted uncomfortably. “Well, no, but he’s part of Juniper. He should be?—”
“He’s part of the Seraphim and should be with them,” Jeremiah said hotly. “If you ask me, Noah has already gone above and beyond for Juniper. I suspect you’re more familiar with the reasons why being here is challenging for him than I am, so let me ask you this: Why the fuck are you askinganythingelse of him? You shouldn’t have put him in this position in the first place, and the fact that you’re asking him to prolong it knowing he’s uncomfortable is astounding.”
I gaped at Jeremiah. He wasn’t done either, glaring at Atlas with his nostrils flared. “Juniper is no longer his responsibility, and nor is Lyle. You are the second, right?”
Atlas turned a shade of red I’d never seen on him before. “Yes, it’s just…Noah, I’m sorry. I figured you’d want a say considering your…history.”
He wasn’t the only one flushing. Mine wasn’t through embarrassment though, but because I’d never had someone stick up for me like this before.
Jeremiah was silent. I realised then what he was doing. He was giving me space to say what I wanted. He’d laid the groundwork for me to be able to leave, but was giving me the choice as to whether I took that step or not.
Instinctively I knew that if I said I did want to stay, he’dhave my back. He might not agree with it, but he’d support it.
Fuck, I was falling for him.
I’d had this realisation before, but this time, it didn’t scare me. It excited me.
I took a deep breath. It felt so wrong to put myself first, so instead I pretended I was doing it for Jeremiah. Because it would make him happy.
It was a bit backwards, considering he was just trying to makemehappy, but if it made this a little easier then I’d take it.
