Chapter 25
Jade
The sound of the phone ringing was like music to my ears. I had never thought it possible to miss my parents as much as I did but when my mother’s voice blasted through the speaker my chest got tight. My eyes burned as I tried to think of what to say. I had been able to read all the text messages between my parents and the fake Jade. I had a little insight on the role I was supposed to play.
“Two calls in one week!” My dad’s voice sounded thrilled. I pressed my palm to my chest as an unfamiliar feeling washed through me. “We must be super lucky! What do we owe the occasion?”
“I just missed you,” My voice broke and I knew when my mom caught onto my emotion immediately.
“Are you okay?”
I closed my eyes and sighed. “Of course, I’m just a bit homesick. I don’t think I have ever been away from home this long before. Do you ever feel like this?”
“Yes, sweetie!” My mom reassured me. “We feel that way often. Especially without you here when we get back. When do you think you’ll be coming home? You said you’re going to finish school remotely?”
I swallowed hard. I didn’t want to lie to them but I knew I had no other choice. They couldn’t be put in danger. They were so fragile. I couldn’t risk it. “About that,” I paused as I gathered my thoughts. “I’m going to be traveling for a while. I was offered a new position recently and well,” This was the part I hated the most. “I started seeing someone.”
My dad chuckled as my mom spoke. “I knew it! I knew there had to be something more keeping you away like this!”
“Tell us all about him,” My dad didn’t sound amused at all and I knew he only asked to humor my mom.
My thoughts immediately went to Rafe. The way his hair had fallen across his collar in the woods. The constant smirk he wore on his face. The golden hue of his eyes when I first met him.
But it wasn’t Rafe I described. “He’s very headstrong and has an incredible work ethic. He’s a big team leader and he loves to play games.”Mind games.“He’s very handsome and determined.” None of it was a lie, but not exactly the truth either.
“We can’t wait to meet him. What’s his name?” My mom wasn’t going to let me skimp on any details.
“Damian,” I breathed.
Lucas’s eyes shot to mine from across the room. I didn’t know why I had thought today would be a good day to call them but I couldn’t put it off any longer. It wasn’t like I could leave this room and I definitely couldn’t kick Lucas out either.
“Ohhhh,” my mom cooed into the phone. “I already know you have good taste too! I’m sure he’s just as good looking as the rest of the men that would frequent the house.”
My dad let out an exasperated sound. “On that note, I think we are going to be late for our train.”
They were in Belgium again, I had read in the text messages. Dad had a huge client that lived there. He liked to do freelance accounting for rich people all over the world. At least that was what he said. There was no telling what he really did. He was technically retired and had invested right. But he was a workaholic and there was no telling how he was managing to scratch that itch now.
After a few goodbyes, they hung up and I was left with silence on the other end. It took me a few moments before I could pull the phone away from my face.
“So that’s how it’s going to be?” Lucas leaned against the wall now and his eyes practically glowed in the dim lighting. He wasn’t happy.
“What?”
“Damian and you,” He growled through gritted teeth.
I rolled my eyes. “I have to do what I have to do to keep them safe. I would never sell my body like that.”
“And what if that’s what he requires next?”
I thought of the night Knox had ripped the heart from the rogue’s chest. The night I had thought he was a horrible person. I had been terrified but now? I couldn’t help but smile. “Then I will enjoy ripping his heart from his chest. Nalia will enjoy eating it.”
The yellow in Lucas’s eyes faded. “You think you are up for that challenge?”
I shrugged my shoulders. “I don’t know but I will say this. Do not underestimate me, unless you want to die too.”
“You aren’t the scared pup they threw in here weeks ago.”
“Good.”
