Shock ran through me, and the thought sent my libido into overdrive as my eyes traced his body with a mind of their own. My arousal mixed with his as the fantasy of us together sprung to my brain. Another smell joined, jolting me out of my lustful haze. I tilted my head and saw Jeff’s eyes arrested on me. My eyebrows flew up, and I sensed Roark ready to pounce.
What was wrong with me?
I’d just been about to strip because I wanted to feel the shirt against my skin. It was a reaction without thought. Like giving in to a desire. Another Fae thing.
I shoved my shirt down and barked, “Everyone to the living room. I’m going to take a shower.”
Jeff turned on his heel and left, my smirking sister right behind him. Roark was the last to go as he sent me a lingering glance. I shook my head, trying to regulate my breathing as I strode to the familiar bathroom with fresh clothing and an old pair of Vans clutched to my chest.
Another pang hit me, but I buried it as I showered with Fae speed and finished dressing. I slid on my favorite leggings and t-shirt. It fit a little looser on my waist than it used to, and I stared down at it, disgruntled.
A plume of steam puffed out of the room when I left the bathroom. I tugged on my leather jacket and joined the others awkwardly sitting around in the living room.
“What’s up with you? Do you tend to walk around my sister shirtless?” I said with more bite than I intended.
“No, I heard your voice and came out. What have you gotten yourself into, Raelena? Is it the mafia?” Jeff flicked a look at Roark, who was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.
I wanted to roll my eyes at him but knew he was coming from a good place. “Don’t worry about it, Jeff. I highly suggest you forget about anything you saw and stay out of this house for the rest of the week. What did you do about your car?”
He seemed stunned by my direct words and shook his head. “No—nothing. I just put the claim in with my insurance. I hadn’t known what you were involved with, and Annie stopped me from calling the cops.” He shot Roark a suspicious look.
I smiled at him, relieved. “Thank you. I’m leaving for a while. I’m in a… witness protection program. I just came to get Annie, who should be packing, by the way.”
“What! No way,” she said, jumping to her feet.
“Annie, please—”
“No, Rae, I’m finally building a life here. I don—”
“Do you remember those people I told you about?” I asked sharply. She froze and pursed her lips. “Well, there are more after me. Please, do as I ask.”
It must have been the begging edge to my words because she nodded stiffly and drug her feet to her room to collect her things. I hated taking her away from her life. I hated it more than anything because I knew exactly how it felt, but I wouldn’t take the risk.
“Do you have to go?” Jeff was closer than he had been by the sound of his voice.
I looked down with a frown but slowly nodded. “Could you take care of the rest of her stuff?”
“Of course, Rae. When will you be back?” he asked. I shrugged noncommittedly, guilt tightening my chest. He slumped in the seat, defeated. “This is all my fault.”
My head snapped up to look at him. “What?” What kind of crap was he going on about now?
“If I hadn’t cheated, if I hadn’t chased you off…” He hung his head.
“What?”
Sure, there was some truth to the words. I wouldn’t have run off half-cocked, but at the same time, I was a target. Sabine would have found me eventually. I guess I was glad Jeff hadn’t been with me. I couldn’t imagine him getting injured because of me.
“Jeff,” I finally said and paused. I hated seeing him so down. I wasn’t sure why, but I let my antagonism go. “I forgive you. You were always my best friend. Thank you for helping me so much.”
He shook his head, and he looked like he was about to argue, so I kept talking. “Anyway, that’s not the worst that’s been done to me.” I couldn’t help but look at Roark, who flinched. I quickly looked away from his wounded expression. “But could you do one more thing for me? Can you stay away from here the rest of the week and not telling anyone about what you’ve seen?”
He seemed to be struggling, but with a rub to his forehead, he finally nodded. Jeff looked at our audience of one and stood. He reached out to me but stopped as soon as he noticed Roark tense. “Do you think… that we could ever… get to where we were before I was stupid?”
It took a second for me to grasp what he was saying. His eyes peered into mine, sad. I struggled to find words and finally stuttered out, “I don’t know.”
If I hadn’t been taken so off guard, I would have said a definite no. Alas, that wasn’t what happened, but I got the sense he understood that was what I meant.
Roark tensed to lunge, and I stepped between them just in time. Thankfully, Annie came out.
“All done,” she mumbled, a backpack slung over her shoulder. That snapped everyone out of the tense situation.
“All right, let’s go.” I shoved Roark out of the door, his menacing gaze still fixed on Jeff. “Remember, you have to leave,” I said to Jeff and didn’t spare him another glance. We left the building.
“So where to?”
“We’re going to a hotel.”
“Mine,” Roark barked, obviously in a bad mood.
I opened my mouth about
