Page 115 of Entangled

The words come easier than I expected them to. Between Dom, Jasper, and Lucky, this may just be the origin story of my transformation into a literal green-eyed monster, but Idotrust Heather—with my life, at least, and certainly with her people’s safety.

“She saved my life,” I tell him firmly as the front door swings open.

“Only after you saved mine.” Heather walks in, slowing as she glances between us all. She looks at Beau and crosses her arms. “Hey there, Doctor Delicious, trying to kick me out already?”

“Don’t call him that,” I mutter at the same time Beau snaps, “Don’t call me that.”

Heather’s brows fly up, looking between us. “Him too?” She laughs, deep and throaty, then her eyes bounce around the room. “Wait, all of them?”

Jayk pushes off the wall with a scowl, though he’s staring at me and Beau, not at her. I smile at him, wishing he’d come over, but he doesn’t seem to see it.

Jasper’s return look to Heather is chillingly cool. He angles himself in front of Lucky casually, but so deliberately that the warning is unmistakable. Behind him, Lucky blinks in surprise, color touching his cheeks.

My heart lurches again, along with no small amount of embarrassment. Was he always this obvious? Was I really thatoblivious? Lucky doesn’t wear his heart on his sleeve. It’s in his eyes—and they’re glued on Jasper.

Heather points a thumb at Dom, though she tilts her head at me. “Him too?”

When I don’t answer, she looks at Dom. “You too?”

“Heather stays,” he says, ignoring her. “Now if you can all stop gossiping, can we sort out how we’re going to house everyone? Let’s clear out the gym, the music room, the games room, and the spare sitting room. On top of that, we have seven spare rooms—ten if we all buddy up.” He shakes his head. “That’s still only going to get a bit over half of them inside.”

Heather shrugs. “So we give priority to the old and injured. Get the young ones in too. My people are used to sleeping rough. They can rotate around if they want, and we can get started building some more permanent structures.”

Beau gives her a look caustic enough to strip skin. “Are you staying here that long? Doesn’t seem like your style.”

Dom, Jasper, and Lucky stay silent, and I frown at them. “Yes, of course. We all agreed that this was going to be a new home for them, right?”

Dom nods once, but he looks resigned more than enthusiastic, that heavy tension returning to his shoulders like he’s trying to keep the world balanced there.

I look at Jasper, who is still watching Heather with frigid wariness. I remember what I overheard Dom and Beau saying, all those weeks ago, how Heather told Lucky to stay back with the women and children because he wasn’t man enough to protect anyone. Just the memory of it is enough to raise my hackles too. It reminds me of how she sneered at Akira. I don’t know how to reconcile that with the woman who coaxed me out of my numbness and helped me set fire to my rage. It’s like she doesn’t know how to stop fighting, even when she should.

“Jasper,” I prompt, and though it hurts me to look at him right now, I keep my gaze steady as he meets my eyes.

And his eyes say a great many things. In our exchanged glance, I see his displeasure melt. I see him remember the cave, and the state of the people when they were there. His horror at the cold and the lack of amenities. We have a whole conversation. In this one thing, we’re agreed.

He inclines his head. “They may stay as long as they wish, Eden.”

“Greeeaaat. Thanks for permission to use the trees you don’t own in woods that don’t belong to you for people you have no say over.” Heather rolls her shoulders, looking bored.

Beau’s hand tightens on my waist.

“Madison,” I urge, wincing as the sinful angles of Jasper’s face sharpen to razors again. “Could you please...?”

She waves her hand. “Fine, fine. Playing nice.”

“Who’s buddying together?” Dom asks. “Then we’ll tell the rest and get the rooms cleared out.” He glances at Beau. “We should?—”

“How about it, darlin’?” Beau cuts Dom off smoothly. He runs his hand up my back and leans in, the green in his gaze dancing. “You ready to go steady with me?”

I try—unsuccessfully—to bite down on a bashful smile at his blatant flirting. His eyes drop to my lips.

“Hey!” Lucky pipes up indignantly. “You can’t just take her! You know I’m just going to break in, right? Get ready to snuggle.”

I close my eyes briefly at his words, my amusement fading. Jasper. He’s in love withJasper. And as soon as he has him, there’ll be no need for snuggles with me.

I hope I kept his heart warm enough for its new owner.

“Fuck this shit.”

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