“Not to sound like an insensitive bitch, but I’m not sure what the urgency is,” Tessa said from the back seat. “I went three years after figuring out Gregor was my mate. Yeah, it was uncomfortable, but…”
“Dante feels it has to do with whatever this Curse of Sevens is Malakai mentioned. If Nik can’t find anything in the archives, we may need to try to get in touch with Kai’s family,” Rafael explained.
It took almost half an hour to reach Joselynn’s apartment. When they arrived, Kai’s red Jeep was parked in a spot next to a four-door sedan. There was no security guard, but they soon found out why. The elevators and doors required a key card to unlock them. They were walking back toward the car when an ambulance came barreling into the garage, lights flashing.
A tall blonde exited the elevator looking put out. “Over here.”
“Joselynn Pierson?” the male EMT asked.
“I’m her sister, Presley. I’m sure she’s fine. My mother can be a little dramatic.”
“Incoherent with a high fever doesn’t sound dramatic, ma’am.” Presley obviously didn’t agree, but she waved the responders through to the elevator.
“I don’t like that woman,” Tessa seethed.
“We need to get up there.” Kaya thrust her arm through the small gap of the closing doors and entered the elevator like she had every right to be there. She gave Rafael and the others a stern look, telling them silently to get their asses in gear. Kaya didn’t like the blonde either, but they had more pressing matters at the moment, like finding out what was wrong with Kai’s mate. If Presley thought the four of them didn’t belong, she didn’t say anything. When the elevator doors opened, Presley led the way, and Kaya followed behind the two EMTs. When they reached the door, Kaya waited until Presley and the first responders had gone inside. She waved her hand in the air. “Okay, you all do your thing.” When three sets of eyes stared at her, Kaya huffed. “Seriously? Listen in and find out what’s going on.”
Tessa cracked the door and peeked through. The Goyles could hear what was going on from the hallway, but Kaya was glad her sister-in-law was nosy. Kaya looked over Tessa’s shoulder at the chaos inside. A woman, who Kaya assumed was the mother, stood wringing her hands.
“I tried cooling her off with ice cubes, but it didn’t work. Please, is Josie going to be okay?”
“Tell us what you know,” the female responder said.
“I came by around noon yesterday, and she was fine. Joselynn had a date last night,” Presley said, arms crossed over her chest.
“Not Joselynn. Sunshine.” Josie had been muttering, but those were the first words Kaya was able to make out. Was it possible Kai called her his Sunshine? The males did like their terms of endearment.
“I called this morning to invite Josie to lunch. She always takes my calls,” her mother added. “When she didn’t answer or call me back, I got worried, so I drove over here and used my key to get in.”
“Need the water. Fire… too hot…”
“And you called your other daughter, or did she come with you?” the woman asked.
“No, I… Why are you here?” the mother asked Presley.
“She had files I need, and I couldn’t wait for her to roll her lazy ass out of bed. Besides, I want to know why Malakai Palamo’s Jeep is in her spare parking space. She knows I have my sights set on him. If she’s done something to ruin my chances—”
“Presley! Do you even hear yourself?”
“What? It’s not like he would want to date her when he can have me.”
Kaya had seen Presley Pierson in court. The woman was a shark. She was no different outside the courtroom if her attitude toward her sister was any indication. Kaya wanted to say something, but Rafael grabbed her hand. Of course he could feel her getting riled up.
“Your conceit is not attractive. Did you ever think about that?” the mother admonished.
“Seriously, Mom. It’s not conceit. Just the truth. Joselynn is—”
“Excuse me,” Tessa interrupted.
Both Presley and her mother turned while the EMTs continued working on Josie. Kaya almost laughed at the younger woman’s expression.
“Can we focus on Josie?” Tessa stood with her hands on her tight-jean-clad hips. The redhead always dressed like a biker, but considering she rode her Harley all the time, her attire wasn’t for show.
“Who are you?” Presley asked.
“I’m a friend of Josie’s and Kai’s. He sent us to pick up his Jeep, but Josie wasn’t answering her phone.”
“Why didn’t he drive her home? And why was he with her in the first place?” Presley asked.
“Kai wasn’t feeling well, so instead of asking Josie to spend the night and risk getting her sick, she drove herself home. As to why he’s with her, he thinks she’s smart, funny, beautiful, not conceited, and he’s totally crazy about her.”
“How is your friend this morning? Does he have the same symptoms?” the female EMT asked.
Kaya was amazed at how well Tessa so smoothly concocted a feasible story. She wasn’t lying, much. Malakai was sick, but it was heartache. Was it possible Josie was feeling his pain? She turned to ask Rafael, but he shook his head.
“He’s lethargic but doesn’t have a fever,” Rafe told them. “He’s with his own doctor this morning, but he will want to see Josie as soon as possible.”
“The doctor or Kai?” the mother asked.
“Kai. He’s really worried about her,” Rafael said.
The male EMT stood. “We need to get her cooled down. We’ll take her in and get
