“Okay, but you know how she is. She’s going to start asking questions about what I’m doing and why I’m constantly disappearing on her,” he said.
“I know,” I said, a heavy blanket of exhaustion settling over me. “Give me a day or two, then I’ll call her.”
Isach smiled, though I could tell he wasn’t happy. “Sure. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” And then he left.
I wandered into the kitchen to grab a bottle of water and some aspirin. My head was killing me again. Maybe when Doctor Mattias showed up, she could give me something for the constant pain.
Colt remained in the kitchen, his gaze tracking my movements. Something nagged at the back of my mind, but everything was still so foggy. I popped the pills into my mouth and swallowed them with a drink of water.
And then clarity swamped me.
“Why would Dante want Trent when you’re the one whose been running from him?” I asked, setting the water on the counter harder than necessary. “And different last name or not, how did he not know you were their brother? You all look so much alike.”
The chatter in the living room died, and all eyes were now on me.
“The very first time I met Dante, he mistook me for Trent,” Colt said, his tone weary. “I insisted I wasn’t him, that I had no idea who he was, but Dante wouldn’t let it go. He kept talking about the twin vampires who were cursed.”
My stomach recoiled, and I took a deep breath, willing the water I just drank to stay down.
“So, I proved to him I wasn’t related,” Colt said.
“How?” Sean asked.
“I sired a vampire,” he said simply, refusing to look at his father. “When she didn’t go crazy with bloodlust, Dante finally let it go. After all, no true Halstead could change a human, right?”
“How is that possible?” I asked. “You are a Halstead.”
“Only in name,” Colt said with a sigh. “Sean didn’t sire me, so I don’t have Halstead blood in my veins. Therefore, I’m not bound by the curse.”
My jaw dropped. Based on the same stunned expressions on Sean and Jax’s faces, this was just as much of a surprise to them as it was to me.
“I only sired her so I could protect you guys,” Colt said, finally meeting Sean’s gaze, then Jax’s. “I’m not proud of what I did, but when I realized Dante knew you two, I had to do whatever I could to stop him from coming after you.”
“It’s okay, son,” Sean said, coming over to stand beside Colt. “We don’t blame you.”
“Wait.” I held up my hand, once again trying to corral my thoughts. “So, when you were with Dante, you knew that he knew about Trent and Jax? And you knew Yolanda still wanted Trent?”
“Yes.” Colt hung his head.
Instantaneous rage erupted in my chest. “And you came here anyway? Why would you do that?” I shouted. “You had to know you’d lead Dante straight to Trent.”
“Chloe,” Sean said, his tone holding a warning.
“No.” I shook my head. “Sorry, Sean, but I do blame him. It’s his fault Dante found Trent.”
“Chloe,” Jax said. “I know you’re angry, but no one knew where Trent was taking you on your honeymoon. There was no way Colt was responsible for leading Dante to the Swiss Alps.”
I curled my hands into fists. So what if Jax’s argument made complete logical sense? Colt never should’ve hidden the truth from us. If he hadn’t, maybe we could’ve been prepared, or been more careful.
Tears stung my throat, and fresh pain lanced across my forehead. I reached for the pill bottle and popped two more aspirin.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Jax asked, his voice suddenly much closer than it had been a second ago.
Startled, I gasped and spun around to glare at him. “Don’t sneak up on me like that.” I twisted the top off the water bottle and took a long drink. “And yes. I’m fine.”
“That ‘I’m fine’ crap might work on everyone else, but I know better. You’re not fine,” he said.
“That’s it.” I slammed the water onto the counter. “From this point forward, no one is allowed to ask me how I’m doing or if I’m okay,” I said, raising my voice so everyone could hear me.
My stomach began that slow churn that happened right before I’d get sick. I covered my hand with my mouth and rushed into the bathroom.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
KARA LEIGH MILLER is a full-time wife; stay-at-home mom to 4 kids, 3 pit bulls, and 6 cats; writer, and the Editorial Director at Anaiah Press. When she’s not herding her family, she’s working out, reading, or binge-watching Netflix. Sometimes, she’ll even play golf with her husband, even though she sucks at it. You can find Kara anytime on her website, but to get the most up-to-date information about upcoming books, sneak peeks, and exclusive giveaways, be sure to sign up for her newsletter.
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