Marc (Bowen Boys, #4)(28)
“She sold me out to Roy because my mother had her brother killed.” Marc could feel her shock and pulled her to him again, but she pulled away and started pacing the room. “Why didn’t they kill her, my mother, I mean? Because of me, right?”
“Yes, that and the fact that they wanted her to suffer. She hated children, and the council decided that her best course of punishment was to have her around them all the time. Your father stayed with her because she is his mate. He can’t leave her no matter what she tried to do to you.”
“She tried to kill me?” Jack nodded at Jonny’s question. “I have a scar in my shoulder. I often wanted to ask about it, but whenever Mom saw it, she would turn away, like it hurt her or something knowing that it was there. How did she do it?”
“It doesn’t say. It only says that you have a scar on your left shoulder and that it is unknown as to how you received it.” Jack got up and walked to her. “I’m sorry, Jonny. I truly am. But I knew that you’d want to know what you’re up against.”
Jonny nodded, and a few minutes later Jack and Dylan left. Dylan told him to contact him if she had any questions, and he promised him he would. Jonny stood by the window and stared out it. He wasn’t sure what to do to help her with this.
“Your brother asked me to pledge myself to him. I told him I’d talk to you. I’m not really sure what it means, but he said that basically I tell him that he can pretty much ruin my night when he can contact me at a whim.”
That sounded like something that Khan would say. “You would tell him that he is your leader and that you would abide by any rules he sets forth.”
She snorted. “Like that’s going to happen. Do you think my father wanted to see me?”
He was getting used to her swift change of subject and was able to answer her. “I don’t know, but if you want we can go and see them both. Or just your father. Jack said she’d give you the name of the zoo if you decided that is something you’d want to do.”
She shook her head. “I’m not ready for a family reunion just yet. Besides, she might still be a little pissed at me because I didn’t die when she tried to hurt me. Do you think Roy knows what’s going on?”
“It’s hard to say. You told me that the day you left that Anita was in his bedroom. Had you ever seen them in the room together before?”
“No. In fact, that was the first time I’d been in that part of the house before. I was just coming down the windows when I heard her talking.” She turned to him. “Now that I think on it, I got out fairly easy. Do you think they planned it that way?”
“I doubt they expected you to actually get away. They probably figured that you’d get that far and then you’d walk in on the murder. I’m pretty sure you were early and heard them reading from a script like you thought. They were more than likely still practicing when you over heard them. Otherwise, they would have taken more care not to have Anita laugh when you left.”
“They didn’t find me until several hours later. I know that because I was on foot and they were in cars. I had shifted, of course, to get that far, but it was still a long way to go and I got lost twice.” Marc nodded. “She’d become my friend to set me up.”
“I’m afraid so, love.” She stood there for several more minutes before he stood up to stand behind her. She leaned back against his body when he wrapped his arms around her waist.
“I’m sorry.” He asked her for what. “All this. You couldn’t have known that having me for a mate would be so complicated. I’m betting you’re regretting this about now.”
“Never. I told you before that I was falling in love with you, but I’m not anymore.” She turned in his arms and looked at him. “I’ve fallen in love with you. I do too. I love you with all my heart.”
Marc held her until his phone rang and let her go, regrettably, to answer it. He picked it up and smiled at his mom. He glanced at Jonny before he answered her.
“Yes, we’ll be home for dinner tonight. And I’ll ask her about the other. Or he can when we get there.” He hung up and walked back over to her. “My mom is expecting us for dinner, and little George wants to know if you’ll read him a story again.”
“He’s a cute kid. Smart too. Do you want kids someday?” Smiling, he pulled her into his arms for a long, sensual kiss before answering her.
“Why, Miss Jonny, are you propositioning me? If you are, then yes, I want kids. If not….” He grinned. “If not, then I will proposition you and have a baby with you anyway.”
Chapter 10
They drove back to Marc’s house after dinner. Khan’s house was getting really full, and when Marc suggested they go back there, she had agreed. Besides, she wanted to sleep in the big bed he had. Plus, he had promised her a run, and she felt as if she needed it now more than ever.
“Mom said she’d set us up with housekeepers to interview within a few days. I hope you don’t mind that I asked her to help.” She shook her head. What did she know about interviewing for a housekeeper?
“She would know more about what you need than I do, I guess.” She wandered around the living room, then the kitchen. She knew that he followed her, but she really didn’t care. What she needed was some fresh air and alone time.