Fractured (Deep In Your Veins, #5)(16)

After the conference and a grueling training session, I went to the beach with Paige, Ava, and Alora. At the meeting, Sam and Jared had announced two things. Firstly, dealing with the ever-so-chatty blogger wasn’t going to be easy. Their attempts to crash the blog weren’t working any better than their attempts to electronically track the IP address. Their theory was that he could have an affinity to technology and was using it to hide and protect himself. In any case, they intended to keep working on the problem.

Their second announcement was that Lazarus had issued an invitation for them to visit. He’d also subtly hinted that I join them, to which Sam had consented. It was concluded—after much deliberation—that Ava, Salem, Max, Paige, and Butch would come along.

It made a good entourage. Paige, Butch, and Ava had amazing abilities. Salem had a psychic punch, and Max could cause sensory paralysis.

Jude had complained that she wanted to come along and had suggested that Butch remain behind. Personally, I thought she was just messing with Butch to get a reaction. But I was hoping that just maybe Sam would agree to the switch. I didn’t have the emotional patience for him right now. I was still finding it difficult to digest the things he’d told me. However, I hadn’t been able to argue with Butch’s point that he was the logical choice.

He’d said, “In terms of protection, there’s no better person to go with Imani than me; I’m a living f*cking shield.” That meant he could protect me without having to actually kill or hurt anyone, and he could do it fast and easy. Still, I needed space to think. Butch didn’t like giving me space.

He must have sensed that I was ready to object because he’d pinned me with his gaze and said, “If you think I’ll stay here while you face your Sire again after all this time, think again. This won’t be easy for you, so I’m going to ensure it goes as smoothly as possible.”

It was sweet in a Butch-like way.

“Something you want to tell us?” Alora’s voice snapped me back to the present. It took a moment for me to realise that she was speaking to Paige.

Having exchanged a baffled look with me, Paige replied, “Nope.”

The redhead arched a brow. “You sure?”

“Positive.”

“Not even that Stuart and Max had some kind of argument over you last night?”

Paige’s head jerked back. “Argument?”

“You haven’t heard about it yet?”

Ava held up a hand. “Wait, wait, I thought you and Stuart broke up.”

“We did,” confirmed Paige. “Months ago. He’s a good guy and all, but he just…he doesn’t get me. And I need that, you know?”

Ava nodded, unusually solemn. “I totally do know. Salem gets me, and he lets me be. Which is important because I’m a f*cking nutcase.”

“Tell me about this argument,” I said to Alora.

“Oh, right. Well, Evan heard from one of his squad members, who heard it from his brother, who heard it from his friend, who—”

“Oh my God, just tell us,” Paige burst out.

Alora held up a placating hand. “Now don’t get upset. But apparently Stuart, well, talked a little smack about you; said you’re made of ice and you’re closed off and…and you don’t look surprised.”

Paige sank into the cream cushion, one arm above her head. “I told you; he doesn’t get me. Stuart, well, he likes people to need him. Which is fine. It’s not a bad thing if being a rock for people makes you feel good. But I’ve always relied on myself. I like doing things for myself. That makes me feel good. I don’t want a guy to complete my life. I want him to enrich it. That wasn’t enough for Stuart.”

I nodded, understanding. “He didn’t respect your need for independence.” I knew her well enough to know how much she needed that.

“He took it personally,” said Paige. “Like I do things for myself to spite him. He doesn’t see that I’m just being me. It quickly became clear to me that I’m not right for him. He needs someone different.”

I pursed my lips. “So calling you cold as ice…that was his ego talking. It took a beating when you didn’t make him the centre of your world.” What a little shit.

Paige shrugged one shoulder. “I guess so. I mean it when I say he’s not a bad guy. He’s just not for me.”

Ava put a hand on Alora’s arm. “Hang on, what did Max have to do with this?”

Eyes brightening, Alora smiled. “Ah, well, Evan heard that—”

Paige waved a hand. “Alora, seriously, just get to the important part.”

“Well apparently, Max told him that badmouthing you was immature, shitty, and disrespectful. Stuart’s drunken response was a snort followed by, ‘It’s not like she’ll care; she’s stone cold…until she’s in bed; then she’s all fire.’ Max didn’t like that. He told Stuart to zip his mouth shut before he said something he’d regret but couldn’t take back. Stuart accused him of ‘having a little thing’ for you.”

Ava flashed a megawatt smile. “Ooh, this is getting really good.”

Nodding, Alora went on, “Max just shrugged and said, ‘Some guys like strong, independent women. Others feel threatened by them.’ The implication was clear. Stuart lunged for Max, but the bystanders intervened before anyone could even throw a punch.