The Ripple Effect (Rhiannon's Law #3)(5)

“You have nothing to fear from me. You know that.” I felt Disco’s guilt and realized he’d opened the mark between us so I could sense if he lied. He wanted me to know everything he was feeling, so I was aware his emotions were genuine.


“No, I used to think that. I’m not the stupid woman I once was, and I’m not big on second chances. They usually result in a person being f*cked over.” I met his infuriated gaze and didn’t flinch. “I don’t like being f*cked over any more than you. We both know the outcome.”


Goose groaned and Disco turned from me. He kneeled beside my fallen partner and rolled him over. Goose was Disco’s familiar too, bound to him by blood. Disco took one look at Goose’s face and his jaw clenched. He didn’t say a word as he mirrored what Paine had done for me—opening a vein at his wrist and pressing it to Goose’s mouth. As soon as Goose started to drink, Disco lifted his head and stared at me again. There was so much pain in his eyes, so much hurt. I was the cause of his misery, but he was the facilitator.

“Tell me what happened.”

It wasn’t a request, so I sighed and explained the entire ordeal to Disco and Paine. When I finished, they exchanged a brief look.

“The next time you decide to take on a job like this,” Disco said, watching me closely, “you will wait for me to accompany you.”

“I already told her that,” Paine muttered.

I folded my arms across my chest. “What do you think you could’ve done? The thing wasn’t a ghost, and it was only vulnerable when it resided in a zombie host. Did you just want to stand around and look pretty?”

Disco moved from Goose and would have stopped directly in front of me if Paine didn’t counter his action and block his path. “Calm down,” Paine said, lowering his voice to a whisper I was sure he didn’t want me to hear. “You’ve waited weeks to see her. Don’t f*ck this up because you can’t control your emotions.”

“If you want me to keep my emotions under control, stay away from her.” Disco didn’t bother being discreet. As he spoke to Paine, he looked directly at me.

Talk about a reunion I’d never expected. I understood Disco’s jealousy. When I’d made a trip into the future to sever Disco’s debt with a demon, I never expected to return to my own time. Too many things prevented it—including the fact that Disco was dead in the futuristic version of hell. In the grip of grief, I’d sought to comfort Paine, never believing that I’d see the man I loved again. To my relief and horror, I had learned I could return...only it was too late to turn back the clock and erase the night Paine and I had taken comfort in each other’s arms. Although Paine was aware of what had transpired, technically he was innocent of any wrong doing. Hell, he didn’t even know the specifics of what had occurred between us. Despite his prodding, I’d given him just enough information to get the point across.

Unfortunately, Disco didn’t care about any of that. Unlike his friend, Disco knew everything Paine and I had done together. When he’d taken my memories by force, he’d gotten a ringside seat. He was hurt and infuriated, so much so he’d destroyed the trust between us that he’d taken so much time to nurture. I knew he regretted his actions, because I’d shared his grief and shame after the fact. Still, I was now terrified of the man I loved. It was the strangest thing to hate someone you also cared for so deeply.

“You know I can’t do that.” Paine didn’t look at me when he said it, but I felt how torn he was. We were friends, but Paine wouldn’t be adverse to us taking our friendship beyond a platonic level. “I won’t let you hurt her again.”

I tried to keep my own emotions in check, aware they could sense them. I knew there was tension between Disco and Paine, but I didn’t realize just how much. Suddenly the time I’d spent developing a friendship with Paine while shunning Disco didn’t seem like a very good idea. Disco obviously considered us a couple despite our recent separation. Transgressions of the past were nothing more than a bump in the road, something he felt we would overcome.

“Take Ethan home.” Disco’s voice was softer now. “I won’t hurt her.”


Paine didn’t move or speak for several seconds. Then he moved closer to Disco, until they were chest to chest. “Don’t push her any more than you already have. She saved your life and will eventually suffer for it. She deserves better.”


I considered informing them that I was standing right there until Paine’s words reminded me of my action’s consequences. He’d warned me something awful would happen since I’d f*cked with fate. Disco was supposed to die, and I’d prevented it. To keep a balance, I’d have to endure something to teach me the error of my ways. For Paine, it was the loss of a beloved pet that gave him the only companionship he’d known in years. As for me, well, I was still waiting to find out.

Disco nodded and Paine pivoted to me. “I’m only a phone call away. If you need me, don’t hesitate.”

I smiled, but it was forced. “You got it.”

Paine took a step back, bent down, and scooped Goose into his arms. I wanted to shift my feet, move away, or find some reason to leave. Avoiding Disco had been easy when he’d attempted to call me or visited the club. All I had to do was let his calls go to voicemail or duck into the storage room behind the bar. Now there was nowhere to run and nowhere to hide. Disco remained where he was until Paine exited the house with Goose. It took every bit of my willpower to keep my feet planted as he came closer.