Page 104 of The Never List
I can’t deny what my heart is beating every second of every day since Jax chose me.
I’m where I’m supposed to be.
And yet I still haven’t found the courage to tell any of them the truth. It makes me a hypocrite, hoping that they’re being their true selves with me when I’m definitely not.
Pierce leans closer, his lips grazing over mine in the softest of kisses before he pulls back. “Tell me something,” he says. “Something that will make you happy tonight.”
“I am happy,” I say, hoping he believes me, hoping that he isn’t mistaking my own internal guilt for some fault onhis part. “I promise,” I continue. “I’m very happy.”
Terrified of these new feelings, absolutely, but I’m happy.
“Still,” he says, smiling up at me. “What would you be doing on a night like this if you weren’t here with me?”
I give that question some thought, my mind immediately conjuring images of Ivy and Layce. Goddess, I miss them.
“That,” he says, motioning to me. “You just had a thought. What is it?”
“Do you honestly not know?” I ask.
“How many times must I tell you?” he replies. “I’m not going where I’m not wanted.”
“You are very much wanted,” I counter, but he gives me a silent look, pressing for answers. I shrug. “If I wasn’t here, I’d most likely be with my friends.” If I had energy after a long workday, that is. “I miss them,” I admit. “Almost as much as I miss my sister.”
Sympathy coats his features, and he rubs his hand up and down my back. “I know,” he says. “Kal and Axl haven’t found anything else in their cities. I’m sorry that I haven’t, either.”
“Don’t be.” I shake my head. “It’s not your responsibility to find her. I appreciate each of you helping look, but I’m starting to think my sister doesn’t want to be found.”
The image of her painting in the Ruby Aire haunts me when my thoughts go restless at night and sleep evades me. I jump from grief to anxiety to anger all in the span of a few heartbeats.
“It’s important to you,” he says. “So, it’s important to us. I have one more contact I’d like to reach out to.” He tilts his head, his eyes lighting up. “Perhaps we could satisfy bothneeds in one night?”
“I’m listening,” I say.
“Why don’t you invite your friends over, and I’ll go meet with my contact to see if he can find further information on your sister.”
My heart jolts with hope. “You would do that for me?”
“We’ve been doing it for you, darling,” he says. “I dare say we’re just as frustrated with the lack of information as you are.” Pierce leans closer to me, cupping my cheek, his eyes on mine. “She’s your sister. That makes her our priority as well. If it’s within our power, we’re going to find answers for you. I just hope they’re the ones you want.”
I kiss him. Fiercely, passionately. Pouring all my gratitude into it, clinging to him in a silent way that I hope he can understand is my immense gratefulness.
I draw back, my eyes on his.
“You’re welcome,” he says softly, and my smile deepens.
“I don’t know if my friends will be entirely comfortable in your home,” I say. “They aren’t exactly used to lounging in royal estates. Not that I am, either. Besides, we haven’t gone out since before the Choosing…”
“Ah,” Pierce says. He pats my hip, grinning. “I have just the place for you and your friends. I won’t be able to join you until after I meet with my contact. Will you be all right on your own?”
Surprise flits through me. “You’re going to let me go out with my friends without you?”
“Darling,” he chides, his brow furrowed. “You’re not some pet we’re keeping. If you had asked Kal or Axl, they would’ve done the same.”
Shame threatens to steal my excitement, and myshoulders drop. “I’m sorry. That came out the wrong way.”
“Don’t apologize,” he says. “I just want you to know that we’re looking not topossessyou but to partner with you. If you have a need, speak it, and we’ll do our best to make it happen.”
I study his eyes, reading him in the only way I can.
