Trent fixed a plate and sat next to me. One by one, everyone else gathered food and squeezed in around the table. Jax stood near the island, though, staring down at the food as if it were rotten garbage. I couldn’t help but laugh.
Jax’s gaze landed on me, hard at first, then softer as his eyes darted above my head. I couldn’t begin to guess what color my aura was, and I didn’t care.
“What’s so funny?” he asked.
“You.” I nodded at the food. “Not all of us can be gourmet chefs.”
He narrowed his eyes.
“Take a break.” I waved my hand dismissively. “Come eat all this junk with us.”
Trent put his hand on my leg and gave a gentle squeeze. There was a small smile on his face, and I couldn’t tell if he was upset or happy that I was trying to include Jax. Soon, he’d be my brother-in-law. I didn’t want our relationship destroyed beyond repair when that time finally came, so I was doing my best to remain strictly friends with him.
But Jax didn’t budge. He crossed his arms over his chest and glared at us. “Is anyone going to talk about the huge elephant in the room?”
Trent growled, the sound so quiet I wasn’t sure if I’d actually heard it or if I was just imagining things. Then, Trent shifted in his chair so he was facing Jax, and I knew I hadn’t imagined anything.
“And what elephant is that, Jax?” Trent’s voice was tight with anger.
“Felicity Baines,” Jax said, his tone equally angry. “We still don’t know why she’s here or what she wants and—”
“She obviously wants me,” I said with a huff.
“Exactly.” Jax gripped the edge of the counter. “And rather than try to figure out why, you’re all sitting there eating and laughing and acting like nothing’s wrong.”
His words burrowed deep into my mind. He was right, but beyond that, he was concerned. Even after everything, he still cared too much. He wanted to make sure I’d be safe. That knowledge hit me hard, and I flopped back in my chair. Though, I wasn’t sure why it unsettled me—Jax had been clear about his feelings, and they hadn’t changed. Not once.
Colt’s gaze darted from me to Jax, a questioning look flashing behind his eyes. The way he always watched me and Jax was weird. He’d made a few comments that he enjoyed the drama, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was more than that. Like maybe he was waiting for me to mess up and do something with Jax that I shouldn’t.
“I’ll find out why,” Isach said. He draped his arm across the back of Abby’s chair.
“How?” Jax demanded.
“I’m going to talk to my father.”
My blood turned to ice, and I could feel the color drain from my face. I had no idea what Isach’s home life was like, but I had to assume it wasn’t talking about their days during a family dinner. Did Isach even live with his parents?
“And tell him what, exactly?” Trent leaned forward, his posture menacing.
“That I’ve seen Felicity around town.” Isach shrugged as if it were no big deal. “I’m going to ask if he knows why, and if he doesn’t, then he’ll find out. He’ll deal with her so we won’t have to.”
“And what happens if he doesn’t know and then goes after her? You think she won’t tell him everything she knows?” Whitney asked. The same icy tone she’d had in the hospital was back. “We have no idea how long she’s been watching Chloe.”
“Yeah, and we can’t risk Rector finding out that Colt is back, either,” Trent said. “God only knows what he’d do.”
I suppressed a shudder, and Trent wrapped his arm protectively around me. “Why not talk to Felicity directly?” I asked.
Isach raised a brow. “Me?”
I nodded. “She knows who you are, right? Use your connection to Rector to get information from her.”
Just saying Rector’s name twisted my stomach. I hoped I’d never have to see that man face to face.
Isach was silent a moment. “That might work.”
“No.” Abby shook her head. “It’s too dangerous.” She faced him, her gaze pleading. “You said she was crazy, that her magic was weakening. What if she tries to hurt you?”
I watched the fear play across Abby’s face, and my heart ached. She was right. I couldn’t risk Isach’s safety like that. Though, who knew how much more dangerous it could be if he talked to Rector.
Isach took her hand and entwined their fingers. “I’m stronger than her. I’ll be fine.”
“And he won’t be alone,” Whitney said. “I’ll go with him.”
I studied her. Was her offer to go with him to ensure his safety, or because she still didn’t trust him? Probably a bit of both.
“I’ll go, too,” Jax said.
“No.” Isach shook his head. “If I try to talk to her with two vampires in tow, she’ll know something’s up. She’ll mark you two like that.” He snapped his fingers.
“Then we’ll stay out of sight.” Jax shrugged. “Close enough to help if needed, but far enough away that she won’t see us.” He once again crossed his arms, and I knew he wasn’t asking for Isach’s permission.
Tense silence settled over the room. Averting my gaze, I picked at my food. I never should’ve suggested Isach talk to Felicity. The situation was blowing up into something it didn’t need to be. We simply needed to know why she was in town, and why she was so interested in me.
“Fine,” Isach said after a moment. “But neither of you step in unless I say so.”
Abby stood, her chair scraping loudly against the floor, and then she marched out of the kitchen.
I chased after her. “Abby!” I managed to grab her elbow before she made it out the front door. “Stop. Please.”
She whirled around on me. “Why?” She yanked her arm from my
