Page 176 of Malice and Surrender
“I guess anything is possible.”
Jace fell silent, and I chose not to press anymore. He seemed stressed enough. I pulled out my phone and brought up a group text, smirking as I pictured Avro and Kai’s faces when they received the message and saw who was in the chat. They had to get along at some point, and Jace’s phone was off, so I knew it wouldn’t bother him right now.
R: Hey guys, we’re back and about an hour away from the house.
K: Which house?
A: Mine and Jace’s house, obviously.
K: What the hell are you doing in here?
A: That’s a dumb question. Raine sent out a group text.
R: I did. It’s much easier to let you both know where I am.
K: I don’t like it.
A: Of course you don’t. Why would you like anything that makes Raine’s life easy?
K: I swear you make me want to kill you a little more each day.
I rolled my eyes at that. Well, if nothing else, this provided an outlet to bitch at one another. Did everyone with multiple partners have this issue? I really wanted to know because I often felt like hitting them all.
A: I’m shocked. Your threats are getting old, Kai. Maybe try something really shocking and be nice. That will confuse everyone.
R: Okay, that’s enough from both of you. I just wanted you to know that I’m back safely. Isn’t that what’s most important?
I felt like I was wrangling children and not men.
A: Yes, you’re right, it is. I’m happy you’re back safely.
K: Suck up.
R: Kai!
K: Yes, of course I’m happy you’re back. Now I don’t have to hunt Jace and his fancy jet down.
I smirked but wanted to hit my forehead at the same time. Kai was impossible, yet I couldn’t help the butterflies fluttering around at the thought of him moving heaven and earth to find me.
R: See you soon.
Shifting on the seat, I curled into Jace’s warm body and closed my eyes. I had to admit that a private jet was pretty badass. I mean, I wasn’t one to be wowed by the glitz, but we had the entire thing to ourselves for the short flight, and Jace made the most of the alone time. I was officially a member of the mile-high club.
My lip curled up as I replayed how voracious he could be and how much I enjoyed myself. For the first time, my heart felt full, and my body relaxed. I didn’t have to talk to myself to stay calm and didn’t jerk at someone brushing by me.
The jumpiness over loud sounds was still there, but I no longer searched every shadow and craved to learn and experience more. I wanted to ride on the back of Kai’s motorcycle and have Avro teach me how to surf.
I couldn’t help wondering what my parents would’ve thought of my choices if they’d lived. Then again, I probably wouldn’t have met Kai if they had, and the thought of that hurt more than their loss. It was a sad truth, but I’d technically spent more time with him than with them. He was my rock and my shoulder to cry on and so much more. The time apart had done nothing to lessen the feelings he stirred.
I heard the lyrics of Jace’s songs in a whole new way while away. Sitting at the side of the stage, humming along while tapping my foot, it felt like the words were written for me. Now I found myself singing all his songs in my head, the words on a loop and each one cutting or healing my soul.
My heart won’t stop bleeding
The final curtain is calling
I have hurt you, and you have hurt me
Gripping your heart and my four-leaf clover
