Any sane person would have questioned that alone, but I know they spoke the truth and I know that odd energy I had felt with Mr. Jace must have been our connection. The way I could speak to Jax over the years could only be explained by what they had told me this afternoon.
The guys were silent for most of the ride to my job. It was fine by me. I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t know how to act now; I felt awkward and out of my element. It was absurd to think I can transition into a life where I could be intimate with two men at the same time. On the other hand, I didn’t want to harm them or take anything from them if Mr. Bell was telling me the truth, and somehow, I knew he was
I didn’t fully trust him yet, but I felt like maybe he was a different man than the man my father knew or the man that I remembered. Maybe time had softened him. Maybe the death of his friend was an eye-opener.
The one thing I knew I could trust is the guys would never allow anything to happen to me. With the help of my dream, I remembered that they had been very protective of me, and I instinctively knew they had remained protective of me. They would protect me even if it was from their father.
I gave the guys a small wave as I got out of the car and walked into the bar. This would probably be one of my longest shifts ever. It was going to be a catch twenty-two. I needed it to keep me busy and to stop dwelling on the things I had learned today; however, I wanted more answers. I wanted to know what they expected me to do now.
I knew without a doubt I would have to control this thing. Its energy had been more prevalent lately, and I didn’t want to hurt anyone if it could be helped. I also wanted to use it at will. I didn’t want it to fail me as it had in the past. I needed to control my own destiny.
The moment I walked in the door, it was clear that I was needed right away. I threw my coat and bag into the locker and immediately headed out to my section; waving at some of my favorite cooks as I walked by.
I liked being busy. I hated some of the customers that darkened the doorstep, but at least they tipped well. I seemed to have gotten lucky with most of the crowd for most of the night until a group of three gentlemen came walking in the door near the end of my shift and sat in my section. Immediately, I could sense that something was different about them, and it wasn’t just their clothes. They were dressed similarly to the way Mr. Jace and his friends dressed.
“Welcome to Werewolf’s Den,” I said as I walked to them and plastered on my best fake smile. “Can I get you guys something to drink?”
“I’ll take a Jack on the rocks,” the oldest gentleman said.
“Water for me,” the second man said grittily.
“Coke,” the third man said shortly.
“Okay, I’ll be right back with your drinks. Just to let you know, we have half price wings on special tonight. We have hot, mild, fireball, teriyaki, lemon pepper, and BBQ.” I said the mandatory spiel and turned to walk away.
I got to the bar to wait for my drink and started pouring the other two. Then I typed out an angry message to Mr. Jace.
Me: I don’t need a babysitter. Tell your friends they can go.
I didn’t have to wait long before I got a response.
Mr. Jace: Everyone’s here. I didn’t send anyone.
I rolled my eyes, stuffed my phone back into my apron, and grabbed my drinks. I’ll let him believe I bought his lie. I felt my phone vibrate several times and ignored it.
I placed the drinks down as one of the guys reached out to touch me. “Thanks,” he said, and I winced as pain shot through my body.
I felt a blinding light behind my eyes.
The guy who touched me whispered an expletive. “She’s strong.”
The oldest of the three looked at me. Hello, Amanda. It’s been a long time. Uncle Roger can’t hide you anymore, can he? What surprises me is that crack whore of a stepmom has kept you hidden for so long.”
I knew immediately he was gifted. There was a niggling feeling in the back of my mind. A memory that wanted to surface, but it seemed blocked.
“Who are you? What do you want?” I hissed past the pain still coursing through my body.
“It hurts,” he said as he gave me a wounded expression, “…that you don’t remember me. After all, it was I who found you in that hovel that they called a foster home. It was I who cared for you like one of my own before your Uncle Roger took you.” He stroked my cheek. “I think it’s time you came home with me. Sleep,” I heard him mutter before everything went black.
The next few minutes were a haze. I don’t remember how or what happened; all I knew was that I was laying on the cold, hard ground. I could hear a commotion not too far from me. I tried to orientate myself as I sat up, rubbing my temples. I was in extreme pain. I noticed I was in the alley I was accosted in days ago. Deep in the shadows.
I looked up and thought I was in a comic book all of a sudden. I saw flashes of light come from a man’s hand. I didn’t know who it was, but the silhouette was definitely of a man. Then I saw a blast of ice. Was I dreaming?
I snorted at myself in derision. I could control people; I could compel people. Nothing at this point should surprise me.
I started in surprise as I noticed one of the men that came into the bar standing a few feet away from me. I looked up and I could see his hands on his temples. He was concentrating hard.
“Blake!” I heard Jax’s terrified voice in my thoughts. “Where are you?!”