by K. N. Banet
I pulled my phone away from my ear and looked at it in confusion. When I put it back, he was still on the line.
“Why?” I asked.
“Ah…” He was obviously at a loss for words, thanks to my confusion. “I’m the first to call, aren’t I?”
“Yes?”
“Oh, okay. You’ll be receiving, hopefully, several of these for the next few days. Hasan will explain it to you, I’m sure. We should have all made the call long ago, but you were a new face, and I was wary. I didn’t know what to think of you. I’m certain many others felt the same way. But have no doubt of my loyalty, please. I had nothing to do with Mikkel and his schemes. If there is anything I believe needs the attention of Hasan or yourself, I will let you know. That is my duty as a werecat to the leading family of our kind.”
I understood now. He didn’t want any repercussions from what happened with Mikkel and Lani. He was calling to make sure I knew he wanted to be in my good graces, and therefore, he would be in Hasan’s good graces.
“Well, thank you for the kind words about the unfortunate incident,” I said casually. “I’ll let Hasan know you called.”
“Thank you…Is Jacky Leon what you wish to be called?”
“When discussing official items, it’s Jacqueline, daughter of Hasan, but if you just want to make a social call to check in or even talk about nothing, Jacky is fine.”
“Ah. Okay. I’ll remember that.”
He understood that was an important distinction. I wanted him to remember I was a daughter of Hasan and would act like one when it was needed. That, I learned, was no idle reminder. Not after I saw the power of my siblings and their willingness to do whatever was necessary to keep our father in his position.
“Have a nice day, Coyotl.” I didn’t want to make a passing remark about how a werecat was named Coyote, so I decided it was time to get off the phone.
“You as well, Jacqueline, daughter of Hasan. I’ll pass along my email to you. It is the best way to get ahold of me.”
“Thank you.”
I hung up first and put the phone down, staring at it.
This is because of the statement we put out yesterday. I really hope he’s wrong. I don’t want to answer more phone calls. That’s going to get annoying.
I texted Hasan, deciding it was easy to avoid making calls. He sent me back a quick confirmation and a picture of Niko looking angry in bed.
I couldn’t help but laugh. I forwarded the photo to Dirk, who sent back several laughing faces. Everyone knew Niko was going to be okay at this point unless he did something stupid, so we were all trying to have a bit of fun with him.
I fiddled around my house, waiting on Heath to text me back. Was this it? Was he not going to bring Carey?
Before I could text him again, my phone rang, and I dealt with the same thing as Coyotl, this time from a werecat named Audrey. I texted Hasan with her name as well.
It was nearly four when Heath got back to me.
Heath: We’re on our way over. I’ll walk her to your place. Also, I have something for you.
My heart pounded. He had something for me? Hopefully it wasn’t a restraining order.
I’d tried my best over the last weeks to not think of how I ran out on him. The hot and heavy kiss during a weak moment. I hoped time and distance would kill whatever was between us.
And I prayed the coming meeting wasn’t awkward.
I felt him moving through my territory and knew when he was at Kick Shot’s ruined remains. I felt him walk through the woods and went onto my front porch to see him and Carey come through the trees.
Carey saw me and started running. I grabbed her and swung her around the moment she wrapped her arms around my waist.
“Dad said you needed some time alone. It’s okay. I’m not mad,” she said, her face pressed against my chest. I ran a hand over her head.
“I did. Thank you for not being angry.” I hadn’t been in a good place when I walked out on Heath that night. I hadn’t been in a good place for two weeks after that. I had really needed the time to myself.
“Carey, can you go inside and wait for Jacky?” Heath asked, walking up the steps. I tried to get the door for her, but she was in the house faster than I could move, which was startling and impressive. When I looked back at her father, he gave me a wry smile. “She’s missed you.”
“I’m sorry.”
“There’s nothing to be sorry for.”
There’s a lot to be sorry for.
I looked down at his hands and saw he was carrying a folder.
“What’s that?”
“For you, if you’re interested.” He held it out, and I took it slowly, flipping it open to see designs, blueprints. I looked up at him in confusion. “Rebuilding Kick Shot,” he explained quickly. “I figured these could give you a place to start.”
“Can I hire you?” I asked softly. I searched his gray-blue eyes, hoping for some sign he didn’t hate me now. I didn’t want Heath Everson to hate me.
“Yes.”
An awkward silence settled between us. There was so much I wanted to say, but I couldn’t find a way to put it out there. I tried to start easy, tried to get something going.
“Heath—”
He didn’t let me finish. His warm, calloused hands caught me, and his lips met mine with a demanding force. It was a proclamation, a statement of want and need, freeing. My body melted into his, the folder in my hand forgotten.
Fire burned in my gut. My heart raced. My only thought was about how wonderful it felt.
He wanted me.
And damn everything, I wanted him.
Then it was over. He didn’t go far, his lips brushing against mine as we stared into each other’s eyes.
“I’ve been waiting weeks to do that,” he murmured against my lips. “Too fucking long, Jacky. I’ve been waiting too long.”
“We’re technically immortal,” I reminded him and earned a growl for it.
“I want to have secrets with you.”
“No one can know,” I said, knowing it would be hard…so hard. “Carey can’t know. My family can’t know.”
“Landon will figure it out.” He sighed, then kissed me again. “He’ll keep it to himself.”
“Oliver and Dirk—”
“We won’t tell them.”
“We…Heath, we might never get more than this. Stolen kisses when no one is looking. Anything more and people could start asking questions.” I dropped the folder and ran my hands up his chest, the only thing between us a thin black shirt.
“I’m okay with that,” he whispered. “For now. We can play it by ear.”
I nodded and kissed him this time. I was hungry for him. I hadn’t been truly hungry for a man in over a decade, but now, I was hungry for a man I should have never considered.
It was asking for trouble.
But I was Jacky Leon. I was Jacqueline, daughter of Hasan.
And I was the family troublemaker, it seemed.
We broke apart right as Carey yelled out.
“Come on, Jacky! You and Dad can work later!”
“I should get inside,” I whispered.
“I should go,” he said at the same time. He grabbed my wrist, keeping me from going inside just yet. “Jacky, if there’s anything you ever need from me, just ask. Anything. I’m here for you.”
“Thank you.”
“For?”
“Reminding me I have some loyal people in my life who aren’t required to be.”
I went inside, smiling as I found Carey already breaking into my kitchen cabinets to start cooking dinner with me. It was like the last two months never happened.
And that was the last bit of healing I needed.
Dear Reader,
Thank you for reading!
Jacky, Jacky, Jacky. Always getting into some trouble, and now she’s kissing a werewolf. I warned everyone the romance was coming and now she’s kissing the werewolf. We’ll see how this plays out in the future.
> I also left a very tiny hint about book four somewhere in this book. You can try to go find it. That’s all from me this time around.
I’m very excited about Jacky kissing that werewolf. Very excited indeed.
Reviews are always welcome, whether you loved or hated the book. Please consider taking a few moments to leave one and know I appreciate every second of your time and I’m thankful.
And if I still have you… head over to my website to get the latest updates on the next book in the series! Kristenbanetauthor.com
Or you can come join me in being a little bit crazy in The Banet Pride, my facebook reader’s group.
About the Author
KristenBanetAuthor.com
K.N. Banet loves to read books that make people cry. She likes to write books that make people cry (and she wants to hear about it). She’s a firm believer that nothing and no one in this world is perfect, and she enjoys exploring those imperfections—trying to make the characters seem real on the page and not just in her head. Worlds of action, adventure, trying times, and true love are the things that get her writing.
She might be crazy, though. Her characters think so, but this can’t be confirmed. You might want to try asking her husband, two dogs, and cat.
You can join her in being a little bit crazy in The Banet Pride, her facebook reader’s group.
Also by K.N. Banet
The Tribunal Archives
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Jacky Leon
Oath Sworn
Family and Honor
Broken Loyalty
Kaliya Sahni
Bounty
Also By Kristen Banet
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Epic Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, and Paranormal Romance
Age of the Andinna
The Gladiator’s Downfall
The Mercenary’s Bounty
The Warrior’s Assault
The Rebel’s Vision
Witch of the Wild West
Bounty Hunters and Black Magic
Werewolves and Wranglers
Complete Series
The Redemption Saga
A Life of Shadows
A Heart of Shame
A Nature of Conflict
An Echo of Darkness
A Night of Redemption
Wild Junction
The Kingson Pride Series
Wild Pride
Wild Fire
Wild Souls
Wild Love
The Wolves of Wild Junction Duet
Prey to the Heart
Heart of the Pack
