Page 93 of Roots of the Wicked

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Jax

I managed to keep Chase away for two weeks after he’d shown up at my door and commenced to stroking me every which way but loose. We had gone at it like animals, fucking until daybreak.

Keeping Chase at a distance was the best thing I could do if I was ever going to figure out who was threatening me. However, keeping him away from me was easier said than done.

Based on Chase’s interpretation, James Taylorson was a womanizing cheat with questionable parenting skills. Lately, he was making positive efforts to redeem himself. For reasons I had not figured out, James liked me, and had extended another invite to family dinner.

“Why all the family dinners? Based on the last one, I would think your father wouldn’t want me back, or anywhere near Blake?”

“I don’t know. This is a first. I think he likes you because you’re strong, independent, and you can speak his language where it concerns business. Also, he and Blake have such a strong love-hate relationship, that he would invite you just to spite him.”

An hour later, I was staring across the table at Blake whose nasty gaze was slapped away by the sharp sting of mine. After the media drama, and being officially labeled Chase’s new woman, I figured I owed the family another face-to-face.

To my surprise, and the rest of the family’s obvious surprise, James hobbled up and placed a delicate kiss on my cheek. Although the older man stood relying on a cane, he towered above me, reminding me of where Chase had inherited his height.

His free hand brushed my shoulder as he took a step back and flashed a crooked smile. “You look lovely, simply lovely.”

I shot a quick look at Chase before I returned to James. “Thank you, I appreciate the nice compliment. You’re looking pretty dapper yourself.” I hope James didn’t think he had another Tonya on his hands. There was no way, ever in the history of life, past, present, or future that he had a shot.

James couldn’t contain his grin. I’m sure he wasn’t used to someone like me, who wasn’t going to tell him what I think he wanted to hear. He turned and glanced at Chase. It appeared he intended to say something, but before he could, Chase sent his arms around his father.

The hug was awkward and fumbled at first, until James softened and returned his son’s hug. This was a new action for the men. Chase had breezed over the topic about hugs and kisses being passed out by his mother, while his father worked non-stop and dished out tasks, orders, and discipline.

Staring at the men embrace each other, I presumed James was attempting to change, and give his family the care he had neglected to give in their younger years. Tonya sat in silence, gawking at the exchange. Blake appeared stunned, jealous even, as he cut his eyes at his brother and father’s display.

When James released Chase, a smile lifted one side of his face before he patted his son’s shoulder and hobbled to the head of the table. Once James was seated, Olivia entered, on cue, with a serving tray filled with a variety of drinks.

When Blake aimed his predatory gaze in my direction, I sensed an insult on the horizon.

“So, Ms. Saint-Pierre, I see you’ve managed to become quite the celebrity. How far down your checklist is the baby, and the joint bank account? Or, is the plan to get married first?”

Why was that demon so invested in me and Chase’s business? It wouldn’t surprise me one bit if he had hired spies to watch us. However, I believe he would have dropped a bombshell to the media the moment he found one.

“Blake,” both Chase, and James called to him in warning. He ignored them by taking a hard sip of his drink and eyeing me over the glass.

“Your kind makes it hard for decent women. You, with your so called black-girl-magic. How you get unsuspecting white men to buy into that shit, is beyond me.”

Chase jump out of his seat, and I gripped his arm, his strength nearly lifting me out of my chair. His body heaved, every muscle pulled tight with anger. If that table hadn’t been between him and his brother, I’m sure he would have put a hurting on Blake. James and Tonya sat deadly still, afraid for Blake who had enough of his mind to stay quiet.

So, this was how Blake was planning to start the dinner. My intentions were to remain nice to him tonight, but my motivation to do so had dissolved into a cloud of black vapor.

I tug hard at Chase’s arm and was finally able to get him to sit. James and Tonya visibly breathed after he had taken the seat.

My mind wouldn’t be still. It wouldn’t allow me to ignore the things Blake has said. I wasn’t going to play nice.

Tonya kept her head downcast, eyeing me under her lashes. She appeared to be anticipating my response to her husband.

James sat at the head of the table with a poker face, sipping the tea the maid had placed in front of him. If the frown Chase aimed at his brother grew any deeper, it would put a crack in his flawless skin.

He leaned in with the intent of letting his brother have it, but I placed my hand on his forearm to stop him. When my gaze met Blake’s, the fires of hell had risen, and I fully intended to light the bastard up. His daring glint met my vicious one.

He was at the top of my suspect list for who had spied on me and Chase, which added to my serious dislike for him.

“When I discovered you had one nut, from a car accident you caused no less, it gave me a better understanding of why you have so much bitch in your attitude.” Tonya spit her drink on the table, a series of loud coughs had overtaken James, and Chase tugged at my arm this time. “Jax,” he called to me in a hushed tone. He knew I was about to be a petty bitch, and he was right.

I had someone threatening me with a nightmarish film from my childhood that I was too afraid to tell Chase about. I couldn’t sleep. My emotions were all over the place, and we still hadn’t found out who had spied on us and set Chase up to take the fall. So, yes, Blake was about to get lit on fire.

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