Bound by Tears (Cauld Ane Series, #6)

by Piper Davenport

  “Miracle, I guess.”

  “I guess so,” Jesska murmured.

  “Which means I go back to school tomorrow, right?” Sophia chimed in.

  “I don’t know,” Megan said as she headed to the kitchen off the family room.

  “Mom, I’m fine. Even the doctor said so.”

  Megan turned to her and frowned. “If you wake up tomorrow without pain, I’ll think about it.”

  Sophia jumped to her feet, rushing to kiss her mother. “Thank you, Mummykins. I’m going to call Bree.” She took off up the stairs, dialing as she went.

  Jesska grabbed for Seth’s ring. Sophia’s nickname for her mother brought memories back of her beloved Sethykins.

  “Megan?” Cameron called from the foyer, and Jesska heard the front door close.

  “Can I hide?” Megan asked.

  “Probably not,” Jesska said.

  “Back here, Cam.”

  Cameron strolled into the room, slipping his keys into his pocket. “Hey, Jess.”

  “Hi. How are you?” she asked in a sing-song voice.

  He grinned. “I’m good. How are you?”

  “Curious.”

  “Of course you are.” He turned to Megan. “Where’s Soph?”

  “Upstairs,” Megan said.

  “Cool. Let’s talk, huh?”

  “About what?” Jesska asked.

  Cameron raised an eyebrow.

  She rose to her feet. “Fine. I’ll go find Sophia.”

  “Thanks, sissy.”

  “One day, you will tell me what’s going on, so help me God.” She pointed a finger to Cameron and then Megan. “Your little pow-wows are really beginning to piss me off.”

  “Love you,” Cameron and Megan said in stereo as Jesska walked slowly up the stairs.

  She knew they waited until she was out of hearing distance before they started to talk... and the reason she knew that was because she could no longer hear them.

  * * *

  The next morning, Jesska woke up with the hangover from hell and called in sick. It was only the second sick day she’d taken in three years, but she still felt guilty about taking a day off of work because she’d drunk too much the night before. And alone. She’d eaten an entire carton of Ben & Jerry’s and a bottle and a half of red wine. She was officially pathetic, and admittedly, maybe a bit more like her mother than she was willing to admit. She didn’t cut herself, so that was a positive. Right?

  After napping most of the morning away, she forced herself out of bed, grabbing a beer and making herself a sandwich. A little hair of the dog and food helped take the edge off, and she felt well enough to take a shower... but that’s about when her day went to crap, starting with the phone call.

  “Hi, Megan.”

  “Hey. Can you do me a huge favor?”

  Jesska squeezed her eyes shut, knowing she was going to regret her answer. “Of course.”

  “Sophia’s at school and having some stomach pain, and I’m stuck in court.”

  “Why are you at court? You should be resting.”

  “Long story. Don’t worry, I’m fine. But, can you pick Sophia up? I’d ask Cam, but I can’t get a hold of him. You can just drop her home, so you don’t have to take too much of your lunch hour.”

  “Yep, no problem. I actually took a sick day.”

  “You did? Are you okay?” Megan asked.

  “Yeah, just felt a little off this morning. I feel great now.” Jesska grabbed her keys and purse and locked up her duplex. “Let Sophia know I’ll be there in a few.”

  “Thanks, Jessie. Love you.”

  “Love you, too.”

  Jesska jumped in her car and took off to her alma mater. She had a moment of panic as the memories flooded her heart again, but just as quickly, she calmed and actually didn’t feel like puking this time around. Returning to the school had always been difficult, and she’d avoided it as much as possible. She must be making progress.

  “Or... maybe I’m forgetting,” she mumbled, as she parked and took a minute to envision Seth’s face. She kissed his ring and then slid out of her car and walked inside. Now that the school was considered a closed campus, there was only one way in, which meant she had to pass the glass box that held a tribute to Seth. Not just because of his horrific death, but because no one had managed to beat his wrestling record. Even ten years later. She held her hand against the side of her face like a blinder so she could pass it without seeing his face, and headed to the office.

  “I’m here to pick up Sophia Bailey.”

  The receptionist nodded and picked up her phone. “I’ll call her.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Jesska Shane is that you?”

  Jesska glanced behind her to see her old English teacher walk into the office. She had to be in her late fifties by now. “Oh, hi, Mrs. Acker. How are you?”

  She smiled. “I’m doing well, honey. How about you?”

  “Not bad.”

  “Are you visiting your niece?”

  Jesska nodded. “I’m picking her up, actually. She’s not feeling well, and my sister’s stuck in court.”

  “Yes, I heard about her accident. I’m surprised she’s here so soon afterwards.”

  “You know us Shanes,” Jesska said. “We are all about surprising people.”

  “That you are, dear. Update me on you. Have you met a nice man and settled down yet?”

  Jesska forced down her irritation. “No, ma’am. I doubt that will ever happen.”

  “Oh, honey, you need to get back to living. Seth was a wonderful young man, and he wouldn’t have wanted you to be alone.”

  Thank you so much for the unsolicited and wholly unwanted advice, Jesska thought to herself. What she said was, “Thanks for your concern.”

  Mrs. Acker pulled her in for a motherly hug. “Don’t be a stranger.”

  “I’ll try my best.”

  The older woman left the office just as Sophia hobbled inside. “Hi Jess.”

  “Hey, babe.” Jesska wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “You don’t look so hot.”

  The receptionist opened the swinging door for her so she could join Jesska. “Yeah, I got hit in the stomach with a ball.”

  “Why the hell were you in phys-ed?” Jesska demanded.

  “I wasn’t. I was walking to class and some idiot had it in the hallway. A different idiot smacked it out of his hands and it hit me. I’m okay. It just stings a bit.”

  Jesska pulled Sophia’s shirt up to look. “There’s no blood.”

  “No, I told you. I’m fine. Just got a bit winded.”

  “Okay, we’ll get you home and we can watch a movie, okay?” Jesska signed her out.

  “Sounds great,” Sophia said.

  Jesska led her into the hallway and towards the parking lot, the empty halls eerier than she remembered. She felt the air in the building shift, and she was drawn to a tall man striding purposefully toward her. She stalled, her heart racing as he approached. He had to be the best-looking man she’d ever seen, and that thought sent her reeling. He had blond hair and as he drew closer, she could see deep green eyes that stared through her... all the way to her soul. His skin was like porcelain, other than a day’s growth over his chin. He looked to be her age or younger, but carried himself with the confidence of a man who’d lived life and probably ruled it, too.

  For a brief second, he glanced at Jesska, and surprise covered his face. He then focused on Sophia. “Ása,” he said.

  Jesska gently pushed Sophia past him.

  “Wait. Ása,” he repeated.

  “I think you have me confused with someone else,” Sophia said.

  “I might agree with you if you didn’t look just like your papa.”

  “What?” Jesska’s heart raced again. Something wasn’t right. “Who are you?”

  * * *

  Kaspar stared at the beautiful young woman standing in front of his niece, protecting her even though she’d never have a chance against him. Blonde hair fell in sof
t curls down her back, she had big hazel eyes, and a tiny little diamond circle sitting proudly in the crease of her button nose. She was a little taller than most humans, however, still a good six inches shorter that him. His mate. He shook his head and took a moment to process the fact that she was the one. He didn’t know how it was even possible, but a human had just wrapped herself around his heart, and he didn’t even know her name.

  “How did you get in here?” she asked.

  “Your name, elskan,” he said.

  “Excuse me?” she snapped.

  He wondered if he’d said it wrong in English. “What is your name?”

  “None of your business.” She turned to his niece. “Sophia, I need you to disappear. Understand?”

  “Wait,” he ordered.

  Ása... or Sophia as his mate had called her, froze to the spot, but this woman was unaffected by him.

  “You are in pain,” Kaspar noted, and laid his hand on Ása, healing her.

  “Don’t touch her,” his mate demanded as she grabbed Ása’s arm, pulling her away from Kaspar. “Soph, you need to go,” she said, obviously not understanding that Ása physically wouldn’t be able to move until Kaspar released her.

  “She can’t,” Kaspar said.

  “Why?” The flaxen-haired beauty focused on him and frowned. “What did you do?”

  “Your name.”

  She crossed her arms. “What did you do to my niece?”

  “Tell me your name.”

  “What did you do to my niece?” she repeated, irritation and fear pouring off her.

  He sighed and released his niece, who took off after a minute of stunned confusion. Kaspar couldn’t stand the fear emanating from his mate. The last thing he wanted was for her to be frightened of him. “Will you tell me your name?”

  She squared her shoulders. “It’s Jesska.”

  “Jesska.” He smiled. “A beautiful name.”

  “Thank you, I think.” She bit her lip. “But I’m going to leave now, because you’re frightening me.”

  He noticed she clasped something attached to a chain around her neck. “I apologize. I don’t mean to frighten you.”

  He stepped forward and she didn’t retreat, so he reached out and touched the hand that was at her throat. He felt her sadness, and when she dropped her hand, he saw a ring around a chain.

  “What the hell are you doing here?” a voice bellowed.

  Jesska turned toward the angry voice with a gasp. Dalton Moore rushed toward them, and Kaspar scowled as the man stepped between him and his mate, facing her. “Jesska, are you all right? Did he hurt you?”

  Jesska shook her head. “How do you know my name?” she whispered.

  “I’m Dalton Moore. I’m a friend of Cameron’s.”

  “Oh,” she squeaked. “I have to go.”

  “Yes. Go,” Moore said.

  Before she could move, rage filled Kaspar and he slammed Moore against the brick wall. Jesska screamed in fright.

  “I have Red Fang on my hands, dumbass,” Moore said. “Let me go or your ass will be on the floor.”

  Kaspar didn’t have a chance to respond as a security guard ran toward them. “Hey. What’s going on?”

  Kaspar stepped back, noticing Jesska tugging on her necklace again. Moore diffused the situation quickly, using his FBI credentials to appease the security guard. Kaspar could see Jesska wanted to run, but for some reason, she didn’t. He stepped closer to her. She stepped aside and then turned on her heel and bolted out of the school so fast, Kaspar wondered if he’d have been able to stop her.

  “Come on,” Moore demanded. “You need to leave.”

  “What are you doing here?”

  “Making sure you don’t do something stupid. Apparently, I’m too late.” Moore studied him and then scowled. “Damn it. Is she...?”

  “Is she what?” Kaspar asked.

  “Is she your mate?” he whispered.

  Kaspar was blindsided.

  Moore chuckled without humor. “You didn’t see that coming, huh?”

  “How do you know?”

  “You have a file an inch thick on me,” Moore pointed out. “You tell me.”

  “I know you were FBI before working for Gunnach Pharmaceuticals.”

  “And Kade’s mated to my sister.”

  This time Kaspar swore.

  “You cannot interfere,” Moore said. “You do this my way, or they will disappear again, including Jesska, and you will never be able to find them.”

  Kaspar moved toward him again, angry that Moore didn’t appear concerned at all.

  “Red Fang, buddy,” he said, and held up his hands. “Please, give me a reason.”

  “Einn daginn mun ég drepa þig í svefni,” Kaspar said, seething. (One day I will kill you in your sleep.)

  “And you’re an entitled prick,” Moore retorted.

  Kaspar shook his head. “You haven’t learned to speak Icelandic, apparently.”

  “Only a word or two, but I figure you just insulted me, and I’ve wanted to say that to you for two days.” Moore started toward the door. “Coming?”

  Kaspar followed him out of the school, albeit at a distance.

  JESSKA WALKED OUTSIDE to find Sophia in her car, idling at the curb. “What are you doing, Sophia?”

  “I’m the getaway driver,” she said.

  Jesska forced back a chuckle. “Scooch. I’m driving,” she said, and forced Sophia from the driver’s seat into the passenger side. Securing her seatbelt, Jesska took off toward Cameron’s house. She didn’t know what was going on, but she knew enough to get to the safest place on earth.

  “Who was that, Auntie?” Sophia asked.

  “I don’t know, babe. Call Cam, okay?”

  “On it.” Sophia grabbed her phone and called Cameron. While Sophia filled him in on what just happened, Jesska drove the back streets to his apartment, entering the code for access to the parking lot, relieved to find his extra space free.

  Jesska’s phone rang just as she locked her car. “Hey, Cam.”

  “Okay, what the hell’s going on. Really?” Cameron demanded.

  “I met your friend, Dalton,” she said, trying to keep the fear from her voice for Sophia’s benefit.

  “Damn it. Are you okay?”

  “Yep.”

  “Did he say why he was there? Was anyone else with him?”

  “No and not with him per se.”

  “These vague answers are because Sophia’s with you, right?” he deduced.

  “Yep,” she said.

  “Okay. You’re at my place, right?”

  “Yep.”

  “Okay. Let yourself in and then lock the door. No one comes in but me or Megan, got it?”

  “Yep,” she said, a forced a smile toward Sophia.

  “Dalton’s ex-FBI, Jess. And honestly, I’m not entirely sure how ‘ex’ he is. Someone has been looking for Megan and Sophia, but I don’t know all the details, so it’s important you hear me on that.”

  “Yep, got it,” she said again.

  “Okay. I’ll be there soon. ’Bye.”

  “See ya.”

  “Is everything okay?” Sophia asked.

  “Everything’s going to be fine.” Jesska tugged Sophia into the elevator and then walked quickly to Cameron’s door, nearly dropping her spare key when she tried to put it in the lock. She took a deep breath and turned the lock, pushing Sophia inside before her and locking the door before entering the code for the alarm. “How about I make us something to eat and we’ll watch a movie.”

  “I have to study,” Sophia said, dropping her backpack on Cameron’s sofa.

  “Did anyone ever tell you you’re an overachiever?”

  Sophia giggled. “Not today.”

  “Why don’t you use Cam’s office? It’ll be quieter in there.”

  “Good idea,” Sophia said, picking up her bag and heading down the hall.

  Jesska lowered herself onto the sofa and dropped her face in her hands. Now that the adren
aline was beginning to wear off, she started to shake. Who was that man and why was she drawn to him? She rubbed Seth’s ring and felt guilt settle over her. Whoever he was, she needed to make sure she never saw him again. For a brief time, she’d forgotten about Seth, and that was unacceptable. This man was entirely too good-looking and when he touched her, she felt like she knew him, but worse than that, she felt like he knew her.

  She shook her head, her thoughts turning to him again. He had eyes so green, they reminded her of emeralds, and when he looked at her, his face softened, and she felt her breath catch. She’d itched to reach out and touch the day’s growth of stubble that covered his strong jaw. She groaned, shaking her head again.

  “You okay?” Sophia called.

  “No, I’m an idiot,” she mumbled.

  “Auntie? Are you okay?” Sophia asked again.

  “Yep, I’m fine,” she called back, and stood to head down the hall. Arriving at the office, she pushed open the door and leaned against the doorjamb. “Are you hungry or is your stomach still sore?”

  Sophia looked up from Cameron’s desk. “I feel totally fine. No pain, no nothing. And yes, I’m starving.”

  Jesska smiled. “I’ll find us something to eat.”

  Sophia nodded, placing an earbud in her ear and going back to her book while Jesska headed to the kitchen to raid her brother’s pantry. Her thoughts turned to the mysterious man again and she reached for Seth’s ring. “I won’t forget, Sethykins.”

  She focused on making sandwiches, grateful Cameron kept fresh bread and every fixing imaginable. Hearing the locks turn in the door, she grabbed a knife and stepped out from behind the kitchen island, positioning herself between the office where Sophia studied, and whoever was coming in. She sighed when her brother walked inside.

  “Jess,” he warned. “What were you planning on doing with that?”

  “I don’t know.” She frowned at the knife. “I was going to defend Sophia, I guess?”

  “Put the knife down,” Cameron said. “You could end up being the cautionary tale of what happens when you bring a knife to a gun fight.”

  “You have your gun?”

  “I always have my gun.”

  Jesska set the knife on the island and watched as Cameron locked up the apartment again. “Do you want a sandwich?” she asked.