“It is Jai’s right,” Luca told her authoritatively.
Even Tarik, the eldest of the Bitar brothers, stood at the side, arms crossed over his chest as he watched Jai beat David to a bloody pulp.
“No!” Ari cried out, forcing magic into her touch so that it created the slightest electrical shock. Trey jumped with a bark of annoyance and let her go. She hurried to Jai’s side. “Jai, stop!
He’s not worth it.” She grabbed hold of his arm and he snapped around with murderous intent, only to still at the sight of her. Ari glanced down at David with a gulp.
He was barely conscious, his face bloodied and bruised.
“Jai, stop,” she whispered, tears filling her eyes. She hated that she’d brought him to this.
Jai yanked his arm out of her hold and got slowly to his feet. The air around his body crackled with dangerous energy as he turned to stare at his so-called family. His chest heaved from exertion and fury. “If any of you hurt what’s mine again, I will come after you, and I will kill you.” He eyed Luca. “And you can tell the same to that little bitch spreading rumors about Ari. You tell her she stops, or I’ll make her stop.”
Luca nodded. “I’ll tell her, son.”
“I want him out of the Tribe.” Jai glowered at David and then back at his father. “I want him fired.”
“No!” Nicki cried out. “You’ve done enough damage.”
Jai took a threatening step toward her and she flinched back. “I’ve done enough damage?” he guffawed bitterly and shook his head. “Never mind the fact that this piece of crap touched my girl, he touched her when she was under this Tribe’s protection. So unless you want word spread that David Bitar likes to sexually assault clients, get rid of him.”
Tarik cocked his head, his eyes narrowed on his younger half-brother. “And is that about the honor of the Tribe, Jai, or about revenge?”
Jai didn’t miss a beat. “Both.”
“Fine,” Luca answered flatly.
Nicki turned on him, her feline eyes attempting to flay her husband alive. “Don’t you dare.”
Luca sliced her a cutting look. “I am the Tribe leader here, and Jai is right. I cannot afford to have David in the Tribe. His actions are far too volatile, impulsive …” He sneered down at his son who groaned as he tried to lift his head from the ground. “And distasteful. You knew this was a possibility because I’ve discussed it before.
Jai has merely forced my hand.”
“You would choose this son over your real one?”
At that, Ari felt her metaphorical claws come out. As if sensing her imminent attack against Nicki, Jai grabbed Ari’s arm and pulled her to him.
Luca sighed. “I am choosing my Tribe over David. I won’t have decades of hard work and a legendary reputation put at risk because of his proclivities. Jai gets his wish. David is out.”
Satisfied, Jai gave his father a brittle nod before turning to Ari. She tensed at the rawness in his expression as he told her, “We’re going to back to the house.”
Trembling, Ari nodded and stepped back into the Peripatos. When she reappeared in their kitchen, Michael was still there. He opened his mouth to speak but the flames hissed and Jai and Trey arrived. Michael took one look at Jai and sighed heavily. “It’s taken care of, I see.”
Jai’s jaw clenched and he nodded before shooting Ari an unfathomable look. He then turned his back to them and leaned against the counter, his rapid breathing slowing. Silence settled around them as they waited for him to gain control over his emotions. Finally, he turned and looked at Ari again. “What I don’t understand is why you kept this from me.”
“Jai, I just …”
“You just what?”
Trey cleared his throat. “Michael, I’ll walk you home. I’m going to meet up with the guys at the training center.”
Michael nodded, shooting Jai and Ari one last concerned look before leaving.
As soon as the front door slammed, Jai snapped. “Well?”
“Because,” Ari turned to face him, her arms crossed defensively. “I didn’t want what just happened to happen.”
“I’m supposed to be protecting you, and I couldn’t even protect you from my own brother.”