Josh leaned against the far wall with a phone to his ear. After a moment, he lowered it and cursed.
“Is everything okay?”
He slipped the phone into his rear pocket. “I guess. I’m probably just overreacting. I’m sure everything is fine.”
“About what?”
“I called my parents’ house. There’s no answer.”
The guilt rushed up, making her chest hurt and pulse pound. “I never thought about asking Rafe to send someone out to them. I just…”
“Stop it, Jazz. I didn’t either.” A tic started in his jaw, and he clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white before releasing them. “I never thought about my parents. What does that say about me?”
“Your life has been turned upside down. I’ve had five years to get used to this world, but I still wasn’t prepared for murdering shifters threatening my family. On top of finding out shifters existed in the first place, you got custody of Megan and lost your brother. I’d say that’s excuse enough.”
“Excuse? Is that what I should say when the cops call and tell me my parents were found murdered too? Or should I blame it on a cougar?”
She cringed.
“Yeah. I know about Mr. Wilkins. Mira woke me up and told me.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “I didn’t even freaking hear you scream.”
“You were tired. You—”
“Should have known. My window was open.”
Jazz pressed her lips together. Arguing with him would get her nowhere. He’d been tired. It was perfectly understandable. He was only human.
“Look. I wouldn’t worry about your parents yet. They live smack dab in the middle of town. There’re lots of people around. Rafe said that would deter Jon.” She twisted her fingers together. “Besides, they might be at church or something. Maybe the library. Now that they’ve retired they’re more active than we are.”
“I’ve been telling myself the same thing. It’s not unusual for them to be out, and since they don’t have a cell, they’re hard to get a hold of.” He glanced out the kitchen window. “I just have a bad feeling. There is no logical reason why this guy would hurt Mr. Wilkins. Your kids weren’t there.”
“I don’t know either.”
“Look, Jazz, I think moving home with Rafe’s family is the safer choice for you and the kids.”
She’d thought the same until Jon attacked Mr. Wilkins. “Okay, say I do. Rafe and his family will go with us. Who’s going to protect you? Your parents?” Because they wouldn’t leave. This was their home. She didn’t need Josh to tell her that.
“Don’t worry about us. Once you and the kids are gone, they’ll be no reason to go after us.” Stubbornness laced his statement. There’d be no arguing with him.
She gave him a wan smile. “Are you kicking me out?”
He brushed the back of his hand over her cheek. “Never. Think of it as a honeymoon for you and Rafe. You can always reevaluate later and move back.”
She covered his hand and grinned. “I never said I’m marrying him.”
“No, you’re going to mate him. From how Mira explained it, mating sounds the same as marriage, just without the option for divorce.”
She rolled her eyes to hide how much the thought of mating Rafe affected her. The idea of loving him and growing old with him thrilled her. Sure, she wished the option of kids was open, but if Rafe was okay with not having any, so was she. They had Seth and Levi. Besides, they could always adopt. Maybe little girls. Jazz would love to see Rafe with daughters.
“We’ll see. I haven’t known Rafe long enough to think about marriage or mating. We still need to get to know each other without the craziness going on around us.”
“I doubt it’ll change his mind. The way he looks at you borders on obsession.” He shrugged. “It makes me a little jealous.”
“I thought you were okay with me and Rafe.”
Josh cupped her face in his hands and leaned close. She was left staring into the blue eyes she’d looked into for what felt like forever. A lifetime of memories passed between them—once lovers, always friends.
“I am. It just reminds me of everything I missed out on by not going after you when you moved home. I could’ve pursued you until you gave in. You have a soft spot for me, you know.”
She gave him a small smile. She couldn’t deny his statement. He could’ve worn her resistance down if he’d wanted.
He matched her smile, obviously understanding what she hadn’t said. “And being with you would’ve fulfilled my dreams. A wife. Kids. Family. That’s all I’ve ever wanted. You would’ve given that to me. Now, I’ll never have it.”
“Not with me, but there are other women in town who’d love to date you.”
He released her. “Nah, they just want sex. That scene gets old after a while, and I’m tired of playing in it. I’m giving up on women. I’ll just sit back and watch you and your shifter live the life I can’t have.”
“What? You’re going to be a bachelor forever? Won’t that get lonely?”
“I can always get a cat.” He chuckled, then made his way to the hallway door.
His phone rang. He yanked it out.
“Hello?”
He listened for a moment, then tensed. “Mom, stop crying. Lock the doors and get inside the bathroom. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
Josh slid the phone into his pocket and ran from the room.
Jazz went after him and grabbed his arm. He yanked away and picked up his car keys. She spread her arms wide in front of the door.
“Wait a minute. What happened?”
“He’s there! At my parents’ house.”
“Your mom saw him?”
“Yes, she saw him. Not too many lions roaming the streets of West Virginia.”
He stepped closer. She widened her stance.
“Get out of my way, Jazz.”
“And what do
