Page 103 of Wounded Soul
Jesse’s smile faded to bittersweet. “Because I’m not free to go.” He gestured to his neck. “You could’ve overpowered me at any time you know.” Ian tried not to think about that. “They only let me come to you because of the collar and the promise that Raph would stay with us until they come for me.”
“What? No! They’ve got Peter.” He looked at Raph for confirmation and his expression said it all. “I know my story’s changed so many times, but I can tell the truth now, and Cate can tell them how he threatened to kill her.”
“I know.” Jesse took Ian’s hands in his. “They know I didn’t kill you. I think. There’s enough doubt with Peter and his removal of his tracker, and your testimony should convince them.” He gave another sad smile. “But I did turn you into a vampire. There’s no getting around that, and it goes against our agreement with the VLCD. I broke the rules and I have to face the consequences. Otherwise our agreement with them means nothing.”
“But—”
“There’s nothing to be done, Ian. It is what it is.”
Ian stared at him, open-mouthed. He’d known this was the probable outcome, but with everything that had happened, he’d forgotten about it. Or pushed it to the back of his mind. “How long?”
Jesse looked away, and Ian knew it was going to be bad. “Ten years.”
“Ten years!” Fucking hell. They’d only just found each other. Ian refused to wait ten fucking years until they could be together.
“That’s lenient. It could’ve been so much worse.” Jesse shrugged, managing a half smile. “We can live for a long time, Ian. Forever if we manage not to piss anyone off. Ten years is nothing when you think of it like that.”
It sounded like a long fucking time to Ian.
The injured officers had been taken away, and Watts stood in the doorway, gun trained in their direction, watching them. Waiting.
“How are they?” Raph asked, gesturing to the bloodstained floor.
“Not too bad, considering.” He ran a hand over his eyes and sighed. “Harper’s still unconscious. They’re working on him now. That bastard cracked his skull.” He spat the words, and Ian didn’t blame him. His gaze drifted to Jesse. “I have orders to take you to the holding cells.”
“Now?” Ian hated how desperate he sounded, but he couldn’t help it.
“He’ll be held there while we sort out his permanent cell below ground.”
Jesse shuddered and Ian grabbed his hand, holding on tight.
He met Jesse’s gaze.
I don’t want to let go.
As if reading his mind, Jesse leaned in and rested their foreheads together. “I know,” he whispered, then placed a soft kiss on Ian’s lips. “I have to go.”
Ian clung onto his hand, standing with him and drawing him into a hug that would have to last him all the time they were apart. “Will I be able to visit you?”
Jesse looked to Raph, eyebrow raised.
“I’ll find out,” Raph answered, and Ian would have to be satisfied with that.
Watts walked over and gestured for Jesse to move towards the door. “Come on.”
Ian pulled him in for one last kiss, pouring everything he felt into it. Their relationship might be new, but the connection he had with Jesse felt like they’d been together years instead of days. “I’ll see you soon,” he murmured, hoping like fuck it was true.
“Good—”
“No.” Ian covered Jesse’s mouth with his fingers. “Don’t.”
Jesse nodded that he understood. “See you soon.” He turned and let Watts lead him out of the room, where Ian saw two more men waiting in the hallway.
And then he was gone.
Raph’s hand was gentle on his arm. “We need to get you fitted with a tagging bracelet before we can leave.” He smiled and gave Ian’s shoulder a squeeze. “And I believe there’s some people waiting to see you.”
Ian shook his head and attempted to pull himself together. Raph was right, Jesse wasn’t the only person he needed to be thinking about.
