Lightning Game (GhostWalkers 17)

Several times, Rubin had wandered over to Zara when she was sitting on the counter with Gino’s arm around her waist while Nonny was explaining a recipe. Jonquille had watched his gaze flick to Gino and then Gino nod almost imperceptibly. The exchange was so small, no one else even noticed. Jonquille was aware of everything Rubin did, and she’d been drawn to Zara from the moment she’d been introduced to her. Rubin had forbidden her to attempt to heal anyone after she’d nearly burned herself out healing him, so she’d kept a distance, but the pull was tremendous. Something was very wrong with Zara’s feet.

While Nonny gave her cooking lesson to a roomful of women—and Gino—Rubin just happened to position himself very close to Zara. His palms moved over the tops of her bare feet, approximately an inch from her skin. Zara must have felt the sudden heat, because she looked startled and nearly jerked her feet away, but Gino leaned into her and she didn’t move. Her man brushed a kiss along her temple and whispered something in her ear. She nodded and kept her attention on Nonny.

The boat took a particularly hard swat on the water, nearly throwing her into Rubin. He put his arm around her to steady her. She should have been ready for the pitch and sway of the boat on the water, but she’d been too busy thinking back on that midmorning before Rubin had taken her on a “picnic” and to see the house he’d bought.

Diego frowned at her. You doing okay?

For some reason, Diego’s concern made her feel a part of a larger family, not just Rubin’s but his family. She smiled at him to reassure him. Was just thinking about how hot your brother is instead of keeping my mind on business. She made certain to include Rubin just as Diego automatically had.

Diego’s frown turned into a dark scowl. That’s ridiculous. There’s nothing hot about him. You keep that up and he’s going to be an arrogant ass if it’s not already too late.

You want to share with the rest of us? Ezekiel asked, proving he could read the waves of energy even though they were small.

Diego shrugged, and to Jonquille’s mortification he repeated the conversation for the others. This is not the first time she’s told him this kind of crap.

Rubin drew her deeper beneath his shoulder—he had broad shoulders. Jonquille lifted her chin at Diego as the others in the boat laughed. She drew on the electrical currents in her body, feeling them moving through her in little rushes, culminating in the fingers of one hand. Spreading her fingers wide, she held on to Rubin with her other hand just to be absolutely certain of control and touched Diego’s thigh with her fingertips, zapping him.

He jumped nearly off the seat. She returned her hand to Rubin, looking as innocent as possible. I only tell the truth, Diego. I don’t understand how you can’t see how utterly gorgeous he is. Although he doesn’t follow his own advice. He told me I wasn’t to heal anyone and then he does it after he got shot and shouldn’t have been doing any such thing, especially when we’re going to this island to attempt to help these men. So he can be … um … difficult.

What do you mean, he healed someone? All humor faded from Diego’s mind and he pinned his brother with dark, angry eyes. You know this is too soon for both of you. Jonquille shouldn’t be going to this island and neither should you. I let you talk me into it, but we agreed you’d be careful. Who the hell did you decide was important enough to risk your life healing, Rubin?

There was dead silence. Ezekiel was suddenly looking at Rubin as well. His eyes were a strange amber color, and when he turned that piercing gaze on you, it was as if he could see inside of you. Jonquille could see he wasn’t happy and he was waiting for an explanation. Rubin sighed and shook his head. She felt that well of stubbornness in him and knew he wasn’t going to answer.

Jonquille felt terrible that she’d said anything. She’d been teasing Diego. She hadn’t thought he would get angry at Rubin—that anyone would. She rubbed her chin on his ribs. I’m sorry, Rubin. I had no idea Diego, or anyone else, would react that way.

“I asked him to take a look at Zara’s feet,” Gino said. “It isn’t on Rubin. All this time, all of us have been working on her, but she can barely walk, and not a single day goes by that she isn’t in pain. Not an hour. She never complains. Never. But I see it in her. I can feel it. It breaks my heart. Nonny’s beside herself. Wyatt and I have discussed trying to operate. Joe’s worked on her multiple times. She isn’t getting better, Zeke. Diego, I didn’t know there was a risk with him looking.”