Angels of Bourbon Street (28 page)

A terrifying shiver crawled up my spine. Yeah, ones where they gave perfectly good souls to other beings. Another hearing? Had she lost her mind? That was entirely different from having them approve a petition. A trial would be putting my life in their hands. “No!” I shouted. “I’m not going back there.”

Every instinct demanded I run far away from all of them and this crazy mess. If I went back in front of the council, they could take away the rest of my soul. I met Kane’s eyes and all but passed out from the pain and fear I saw staring back at me. He wouldn’t let me go anyway. I could feel it.

But Drake was nodding. “Of course, I could do that.”

Bea met my pleading stare. “It’s the only way, dear.”

I shook my head violently. No way was I going anywhere.

Drake pulled out something that looked suspiciously like a Blackberry, tapped a few keys, frowned, tapped a few more, and then nodded. “It’s set. One week from today, the council will hear the motion and vote on what to do.”

“What? No! I said no.”

Drake turned to me. “My daughter, I do apologize. I would’ve loved to watch you grow and to prepare you for this separate world we live in. I’ll do my best to see you through this, but you must understand. I can’t let you walk around with a broken soul, one that could be possessed. This is for the best. Otherwise, it’s likely your guardian angel will get orders to bring you in himself. Be ready in seven days. I’ll send for you.”

“Only if I’m allowed to go with her,” Kane said from behind me.

“Who are you?” Drake asked almost dismissively. Then his eyes narrowed. “Dreamwalker?”

“Yeah.” Kane tensed, and the muscle in his jaw pulsed.

What did his dreamwalking have to do with anything? And why was Kane suddenly defensive about it? I’d never seen him react that way.

“I’m her fiancé, and I’ll be damned if I sit by and watch her disappear for another two months.”

“Kane,” Meri said quietly, “it’s not that kind of hearing.”

He snorted. “I don’t give a fuck what kind of hearing it is. Jade isn’t going without me.”

Drake studied Kane with interest. Then he pressed another button on his angel-version Blackberry. Nodding, he said, “Your request has been granted.”

My breath caught in my throat. His acceptance of Kane’s demands had come too easily. Drake was entirely too interested in Kane. What did the angels want with dreamwalkers? I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from screaming.

“Bea,” Drake said, “can you release me now?”

She nodded, whispered something in Latin, and then stepped back, breaking the circle.

Drake gave her a nod of appreciation. His eyes met mine as he held out a hand. “It’s nice to meet you, daughter.”

I stared at his outstretched hand, not quite sure what to do. Awkward silence fell all around us, but he didn’t relent. Quickly, I grasped his hand and shook it once.

He squeezed lightly, dropped my hand, and with a small smile, vanished into thin air.

Chapter 26

Mom stalked off the porch toward Bea and glowered at her with murderous eyes. “If you ever interfere in my daughter’s affairs again, you’ll regret the day you inserted yourself into her life.”

“Mom!” I cried, grabbing her arm and jerking her away from my mentor. “Apologize.”

She clamped her mouth shut and glared at all of us defiantly.

“Bea, I’m so sorry,” I said quietly and turned back to Mom. “Stop. Bea isn’t to blame. I asked for her help.”

“It wasn’t her place, Jade.”

Really? This from the mother who lied to me and both men in her life? She had some nerve.

Bea cleared her throat. “I think I’ll go inside and give you some privacy.”

Mom scoffed. “As if any of that matters now.” She spun on her heel and headed back into the house.

Bea frowned, watching her go.

I waved an impatient hand and shook my head. “Forget it. You helped me do what she refused to do. Thank you.”

Bea’s frown deepened. “She had a very good reason.” Her amber-brown eyes locked on mine. “Do you not understand what just happened?”

Biting down on my lip, I nodded. “Yes.” I knew exactly what had happened. “My father is an angel, and in one week’s time, my life will yet again be in the council’s hands.” My voice cracked, and I swallowed the lump clogging my throat. Fear rose up, threatening to strangle me. I pushed it down, refusing to be beaten. “I understand the consequences, but it isn’t something that can be helped. You know I won’t stand by while my friends are in danger. Just like Mom wouldn’t. You’d think she’d understand my deep-seated need to do what’s right by them.”

Bea nodded as her gaze landed on Meri. “Yes, you’d think so. But letting your daughter put herself in danger is much harder than putting yourself on the line.” She cut her eyes to the house and then back to Kane. “I suspect you know a little something about protecting your loved ones.”

A shiver ran up my spine. Yes, I did.

Kane held his hand out to me. “Come here.”

I gladly wrapped my arms around him and buried my head into his chest. “Take me home?”

He gave me a squeeze then released me. “Let’s go.”

Not even bothering to walk back into the house, Kane deposited me and Meri in his car and got into the driver’s side. “Do you need to tell anyone we’re leaving?”

I shook my head and pulled out my phone. One group text later, I nodded, indicating we could go.

***

No one spoke on the fifteen-minute ride back to Kane’s house, not when he parked and not when we shuffled through the door. Meri headed straight for the guest room, only pausing to say goodnight just before she disappeared behind the closed door.

Kane ran a reassuring hand down my back, a caress he’d given me a thousand times before. Standing alone with him in his house, I stiffened and took a small step forward. All of a sudden, his touch was too personal, too intimate after the day’s events.

He moved with me, wrapping that same arm protectively around my shoulders.

My thoughts jumbled, and somehow, I was transported back to that hotel room. The memory of the cool tile echoed on my skin, and all I saw were black and white squares. My shoulders hunched as I longed to curl once again into a ball and slip away into the safety of my numbed mind.

“What’s wrong?” He tucked me tighter to his chest, his warm breath caressing my ear.

“Let go!” I jumped from his grip and took a deep, steadying breath.

He held his hands up in a surrender motion. “Whoa. What’s wrong?”

“I…” Another deep breath. I ran a hand over my forehead. “Nothing. Sorry. I just need a minute.”

What the hell was wrong with me? My skin was crawling. Ian’s face, dazed and out of control, replaced Kane’s. Something broke inside me, and I ran. He called after me, but I didn’t stop until I was safely locked in the master bathroom.

My knees buckled as the memory of Ian’s touch slithered over my body, greedy, heated, and utterly repulsive. I slid to the hard tile floor, shaking.

A soft knock sounded behind me, and I jumped away from the door, wrapping my arms around my middle as I continued to struggle to breathe.

“Jade,” Kane said through the door, “what happened?”

I didn’t answer, only backed up toward the tub. The words were frozen in my throat.

“Love, I’m worried. Please open the door.”

My heart started to crack. I couldn’t. I just couldn’t talk to him right then. My body was betraying me. My head screamed for me to open the door, to wrap myself in his safe arms, but the cold sweat covering my skin held me prisoner.

“Jade…please,” Kane pleaded. The doorknob rattled. “Unlock the door.”

The worry in his voice spurred me into action. This was Kane. Not Ian. He wasn’t controlled by a ghost. And I wouldn’t let what happened control me. Besides, if I didn’t answer soon, no doubt he’d find a way to pop the flimsy lock. I reached down and turned the knobs in the tub until the water sprayed full blast.

“Shower,” I called over the rushing noise.

“Just tell me you’re all right.” Frustration overshadowed the concern in his tone.

I moved to the door, cursing myself for pushing away the one person I knew without a doubt I could trust. But could I trust myself? My reaction to his touch had been too visceral. I needed time. I wasn’t ready to face him.

Not until the trembling stopped.

I pressed my shoulder to the door. “I’m okay.” I sucked in another breath, trying to control the quaver in my voice. “I’m getting in the shower. I’ll be out soon.”

He was silent so long, I wondered if he’d left. Finally he answered, “All right.” His footsteps echoed off the wood floors as he retreated from the room.

In a trance, trying very hard to not think about the last time I was naked, I stripped my clothes off and stepped into the steaming shower. The scalding water seared my skin, turning my flesh bright red. A dam broke, and imaginary hands twisted in my hair. His pale blue eyes smoldering with passion. His heated skin pressing against mine. And my hands running over his lean muscles. My lips eagerly seeking his. Touching him intimately…in places I should only ever touch Kane.

A sob broke from my throat and I grabbed a wash cloth, frantically scrubbing away the fear and shame clinging to what was left of my soul.

When the water turned tepid, I forced myself to step out of the shower and wrapped my raw body in an oversized bath sheet.

Shit.

I hadn’t brought any clothes into the bathroom. I glanced at the pile on the floor and winced. No. Even the clothes Pyper had brought me earlier were tainted now.

At least my heart wasn’t racing anymore. The scalding water had managed to chase away my panic attack. Still, I didn’t know what to say to Kane. How could I tell my fiancé his touch caused me to run? That when I felt his fingers on my skin, I was reliving a horrible nightmare?

I sighed and slowly opened the bathroom door, peeking into the room. The muscles in my shoulders eased as soon as I realized Kane had left. And on the bed, my favorite and most modest jersey pajamas and a pair of fuzzy socks were folded neatly, waiting for me.

My eyes misted.
Kane.

I snatched the clothes, hurried back into the bathroom, and took my time dressing. Then I engaged in a marathon teeth-brushing session. When there was nothing else to clean or groom, I tiptoed back into the bedroom and crawled into bed, praying I’d go to sleep before Kane returned.

The door creaked, and he appeared, closing the door with a soft click.

I eyed him through lowered lashes, my pulse quickening. Would he want to talk? To touch me? I wasn’t sure I could handle it.

“Hey,” he said softly.

The sound of his voice seemed to melt a tiny piece of my anxiety. “Hey.”

He leaned against the door, keeping his hands tucked into his pockets. His expression downcast, he appeared hesitant. Unsure. “Do you want to talk about it?”

Keeping eye contact, I shook my head.

He nodded. “I understand.”

Something loosened in my chest and my breathing became easier. If he didn’t try to force anything, I could get through this. “Thank you,” I whispered.

Kane blew out a breath and ran a hand through his hair. “Every instinct is screaming for me to crawl into that bed and hold you in my arms for the next week.”

I closed my eyes, wishing…praying I could let him do just that. I wanted him to. More than anything. To feel him beside me, to lose myself in his familiar scent. And sleep soundly, safe in his loving arms.

What if I freaked out?

No. I can’t take it. Not tonight.

I couldn’t turn him away, either. I was frozen in fear of the unknown and my own irrational reactions. This was
Kane
. My best friend. The love of my life.

“I want that, too,” I finally said, my voice trembling with emotion.

Kane didn’t hesitate. In three steps, he was next to the bed, but instead of undressing, he crawled right in and pressed up against my back, wrapping those strong arms around my middle.

I tensed.

“It’s okay, love. It’s just me. I’m only going to hold you.” He pressed his cheek to mine. You’re safe now. I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise.”

We lay there like that for what seemed like hours, him reassuring me and me concentrating on breathing. Eventually, my body started to relax, and my world faded as I drifted off into oblivion.

I awoke to the sun streaming into my eyes and a very warm Kane still plastered to my back. My neck and shoulder ached from sleeping in the same position for eight hours. I slid my hand over Kane’s resting on my stomach and reveled in the joy of having him near, wrapped around me, keeping me safe.

He shifted, and cool air seeped between us, chilling me. I shivered and gently slid out from under his arm. He reached for me, pulled me back. “Too early,” he mumbled and tightened his arm around me.

I sucked in a breath, fighting the rush of anxiety trying to set in. Dammit! He’d held me all night without incident. Was I going to forever flinch every time he grabbed me?

He awoke with a start, tearing his hand from me. “Jesus. Sorry, Jade. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“What?”

“You were trembling again.”

I took a moment to collect myself, consciously letting go of the anxiety and forcing myself to relax. I had nothing to be afraid of. This was Kane in my bed, not an enemy. He would never, ever hurt me. I turned and smiled as I pushed a lock of his dark hair out of his eyes. “No, I wasn’t. I was shivering. It’s damn cold in here.”

He blinked the sleep from his eyes and scanned my pajama-clad body. “You’re cold?”

“Yes.” I forced a laughed. “My heater rolled away and stole half the covers.”

He pulled the blankets up to my chin and tucked them around me. “Can’t have that.”

I snuggled in next to him, grateful I was able to overcome my freak-out.

“We’ll work it out, you know.”

“I know.” I raised my chin and stared into his determined gaze.

His expression softened and he moved in, his lips gently brushing over mine. “I’m never going to let anything come between us. You know that too, right?”