Lord of Destiny (The Dragon Demigods #6) - Charlene Hartnady Page 0,16

cuter than you,” I say, smirking.

Jarrod chokes out a laugh. “Like hell you are.” We’re identical twins. Two peas in a pod. It’s freaky how alike we are.

I push out a breath. “She has my ability.” I don’t like to call what I have a gift. I don’t see it as a gift.

Jarrod frowns heavily. “She can see the future?” I can hear the shock laced in his voice.

I nod. “Looks that way.” I should tell him about her vision about me, but I don’t. We’re out of time. I put some money in the folder, including a hefty tip, and hand it to Avery as we reach the cash register. “Keep the change. Sorry things got heated.”

“That guy seems to have a chip on his shoulder.” Avery is looking outside at West, who is still arguing with Maddox. He doesn’t let up.

“We all have our issues,” I say as we walk away. There’s something going on with that guy. People aren’t that angry all the time.

“To think I get to spend some quality time with that asshole,” Jarrod says as we walk towards the exit. “Thanks for that. I can’t wait to share a house with him. Um…about their car,” he lowers his voice and stops walking.

“What about it?”

“The transmission is shot to hell.”

“That’s not a small, inexpensive part.” I keep the volume down even though my voice is animated. “That’s major repairs.”

“I know.” He shrugs. “I’ll take care of it. They seemed to need the help. I didn’t think they’d take too kindly to a handout. It’s going to take time to get the parts,” he adds. “I wasn’t lying about that part of the equation. Given what we’ve heard, it might be a good idea to get to know them. Maybe tell the others at some point. I mean, Zale is Bolt’s half-brother. Same with Maddox and Rage. Let’s face it, Barrett is related to Forge without a doubt.”

I nod. “Without a shadow of a doubt.” I push out a breath. “Can we trust them, though?”

“That’s the problem,” my brother says. “I didn’t tell Forge anything…not yet, anyway. He thinks I brought in a friend’s car. He doesn’t have a clue about these guys.”

“We’ll figure it out. They will all need to know, and soon.”

Jarrod nods. “Yep, they will. Should we call a meeting?”

“I would hold off for the moment,” I say. “Bolt is away on business. He’s back in a couple of days. This coming weekend is the relaunch of his girlfriend’s bakery. They’re closing end of business today to revamp the place,” I add. “What I’m trying to say is that I don’t think we should call a meeting without Bolt. I think he needs to find out about Zale in person.”

“You’re right.” Jarrod nods and rubs his chin. “We should probably let everyone know one-on-one, but we’ll talk about it. We have time. We’ll have to play it by ear.”

“What worries me is if West is related to one of us.” I shake my head. “I’m assuming we’re in the clear, or he would have said something. I’m hoping.”

Jarrod smiles. “He would have shown his displeasure, had that been the case.” His smile widens. “He’s a grouchy bastard with a short fuse. Has to be Hades or…I don’t know…someone fucked up.”

I nod. “I’m sure we’ll find out soon enough. We’d better get out there.”

“Stay the fuck away from her,” Jarrod says, pushing a hand through his hair.

I roll my eyes. “I will.” He’s right. I don’t want to get in the middle of whatever is going on between those two. Besides, it wouldn’t work. Not if she’s going to catch glimpses of my future every time we touch. Not when my outlook is a fuck-up. Despite what she said today, Raven won’t want to come anywhere near me. Not if she’s anything like I am.

6

Raven

I’m mortified!

I can’t believe how West is acting. Then again, I can. This is nothing new. It’s just a whole new level of asshole. He’s been impossible since we broke up. It doesn’t matter that he was the catalyst to our demise. Although, if I’m honest, things hadn’t been right between us for some time, even before he did what he did. He doesn’t seem to see that, though. He definitely hasn’t accepted that we’re over. I wish he would. I wish he’d come to terms with all of it, but he hasn’t. I wish he could at least find closure. Not just for us. For so much more. I