Chapter 38

Phoenix

As I'm walking out of Uncle Luke's office, I spot Jamie leaning against the side of the building, looking like he's been waiting for a while.

"What are you still doing here?" I ask, my voice sharp and demanding. I'm still on edge from that meeting, my mind racing with ideas of how to protect my family.

"I heard someone broke into your stepsister's place. I just wanted to check on you, make sure everything's good."

I was vaguely aware that Makayla and him were messing around or something. Maybe he's asking because he's actually worried about her.

I nod, stuffing my hands into the pocket of my hoodie. "Yeah, she's okay. She's staying somewhere else for a few days until we figure out who was responsible."

"What was stolen?" he asks, genuine concern etching his features.

"Nothing valuable, just a few of Selene's personal items."

His eyebrows shoot up. "Wow, do you have any idea who could've done it?"

Yeah, I do. My gut screams that it's Selene's ex-boyfriend, trying to win her back in the most pathetic, douche-baggy way possible. Maybe he thought if she were too afraid to be at home, she would come running to him or some shit. The thought makes my blood boil.

"Her ex saw us together at a restaurant that night and he definitely wasn't happy about it. His scent was nowhere near her house, but he could've hired someone else to break in. She did forget to respond to his dinner invitation and go out with me instead, and he showed up and threw a bitch fit."

"Fuck, that's crazy. What do you know about him?"

"Not much, just that he used to be her mate and he's a cop," I answer, my body growing tense. If the Demons are recruiting cops, there's a chance he could be one of the dirty ones. "Selene doesn't really talk about him, which is understandable because he rejected her for a dumb-ass reason."

Jamie hums, his face contemplative. "If I had a mate, I would never reject her, no matter what. Unless she cheated on me or something. He's stupid for letting someone like her go, even I can see that and I've only spoken to her a few times. If he really is the one that broke into their place, he needs to get locked up. Who knows how unhinged he really is, and if he could go even further than this. What if he tries to kidnap her next?"

My jaw clenches hard enough to hurt. "Over my dead body."

Selene's the most important person in my life. I'd tear anyone apart who threatens her, no hesitation, no mercy.

Jamie gives me a knowing look. "I know you'd do anything to protect her. What about Makayla? Where is she staying while all of this is going down?"

"With Makayla," I answer simply. I'm not giving away their location, even to him. Only Luke, me, Loki, and now Sam know where Luke's house is. After he texted me, I figured Selene and Makayla would enjoy his company, anything to distract them from worrying about what's going on.

Jamie's my best friend, but he's got a big mouth. He could slip up. What if someone from the Devils was involved and they find out we're onto them?

Jamie's expression contorts with confusion. "Wait? Why does Makayla have to stay? I thought you said only Selene was targeted."

"Luke says that he doesn't want to leave either of them vulnerable, and Makayla didn't feel safe being at the house either."

His head hangs. "I wonder why she didn't call me. She could've stayed with me," he murmurs, the hurt evident in his voice.

"It's not her fault. Luke told both of the girls not to tell anyone until we could name some suspects. I'm sure she'll contact you as soon as she can." I try to sound reassuring, but he only frowns.

"C-Can I go with you to go see her? You're heading that way right?"

I tense. "I don't know, Jamie. Can I trust you to keep your mouth shut?"

He looks offended. "What? Are you seriously asking me that? When have I ever-"

I cut him off. "In training camp when you blurted out that I was fucking that girl with the orange hair. And then the other guy that was fucking her tried to fight me, and I got put on cleaning duty for a week."

"Hey, that was on accident. I don't know how that even came out."

"Well, you can't make mistakes like that this time. I'll kill you, and I'm so goddamn serious right now. Their safety is everything."

He nods, his face paling slightly. "I get it. Can we get going now or are you going to keep making me feel bad for shit that happened in the past?"

He follows me to my bike. I hop on and gesture for him to get on the back. "I don't have a second helmet, so you'll just have to hope for the best."

He grins nervously. "I hope my best friend isn't planning on killing me like this. I swear, I'll haunt you."

He hops on and I start the engine, the sound echoing through the nearly-empty parking lot. "I hope not. Wouldn't have to kick your ghost ass."

As I ride into the night, the wind whipping around us, my thoughts drift off to Selene. If Zack is the one involved in the break-in, he's a sick fuck for having someone steal her birth control pills and vibrator and leaving that gross, slut-shaming note. She doesn't belong to him anymore, and if I need to physically remind him of that, I will.

I know Selene would never believe me without proof that her ex-mate is crazy and intent on manipulating his way back into her life, but I'll find the evidence I need. Somewhere. And then I can kill him. Or the very least, have him sent before the Council and they could decide his fate. And if it doesn't sound fair enough to me, I'll still kill him myself.