Page 4 of Jacob Michaels is Trouble

Probably, like, if someone is lying.

And he knew I wasn’t.

“Whatever.” Jason snarled. “You’re a fucking disaster zone. And there’s two bodies right here that prove it.”

Lucas and I smiled at each other a moment longer, and then I turned back to Jason, my glower in full force.

“What do you suggest, doggy?” I waggled my head at him, refusing to let go of Lucas’ hand. “I have bigger problems than two dead bodies. Lucas got bit, and that means—”

“I know what the fuck it means.” Jason interrupted angrily. “I think out of the three people standing here, I have the best understanding of what being bit means, asshole. But he’s not going to turn at the next full moon, so why don’t you stop shitting in your shoes and focus on the real problem. Dead. Bodies. Two of ‘em.”

“I thought the problem was that I’m trouble?”

“That’ll be the next issue we’ll address.” He glared at me. “Trust me.”

My body jerked towards Jason automatically out of anger, but Lucas pulled me back.

“What do you mean?” Lucas asked quickly. “Why won’t I turn at the full moon?”

“It takes a couple of lunar cycles to kick in,” Jason answered Lucas, though his eyes stayed on me. “Making magic is hard work, isn’t it?”

I just glowered back.

“How many?” Lucas asked quickly.

Jason stared at me a moment longer, then rolled his eyes and turned his attention to Lucas.

“Two or three.” He sighed. “Three is the most I’ve ever seen.”

“Well, what determines how long it will—”

“Ladies!” Jason boomed. “This isn’t a coffee klatch. I’m not here to answer your stupid ass questions about your bite. It ain’t from one of mine, so I really don’t give a shit if you turn or not.”

“What does that mean?” I brought Jason’s attention back to me.

“Your boyfriend there turns?” Jason grinned evilly and jabbed a finger at Lucas. “His pack is going to come looking for him. And I have no idea what pack these guys belong to—so…good luck with that.”

“Fuck.” I stomped my foot.

Lucas stammered. “How will they know? I mean, those guys are dead now. Rob killed them. So, who is going to tell them?”

My eyed twitched at Lucas’ proclamation once more. Again, he had laid sole blame for what had happened on me. How he would hold up in a court of law if someone did find out about the two dead bodies ran through my mind. Was my boyfriend the “plea deal” type or the “ride-or-die-bitch” type?

What all didn’t I know about Lucas?

“He’d make a horrible pack member,” I added. “He’s a vegetarian.”

Jason grinned.

“I don’t think that matters right now, Rob.” Lucas snapped, though he couldn’t put any anger behind it.

“Yeah,” Jason smirked. “We’ll see when the cravings come.”

Lucas made a retching noise. By the time I had turned to him, he was doubled over in the opposite direction, the contents of his stomach spilling out onto the inky ground below. I kept my eyes on Jason, but slowly rubbed Lucas’ back as he vomited what looked like a week’s worth of meals onto the shore of the Maumee. Jason rolled his eyes at us, then turned his back and crouched down next to one of the bodies beside his feet. Since he wasn’t watching us, I felt better taking my eyes off of him.

Rubbing on Lucas’ back as he puked made my stomach turn, especially when the smell wafted up to my nostrils, but I steeled myself and played the stoic boyfriend who was immune to being grossed out. It seemed to go on forever, but finally, Lucas’ stomach stopped expelling its contents, and he slowly straightened up. He practically fell into me, his arms wrapped around my middle as I held him against me. Whether I liked it about myself or not, I was embarrassed that Jason saw my boyfriend being scared. I didn’t want him to think that Lucas was weak. Also, I couldn’t help but think about how I wished Lucas had rinsed his mouth first.

“Fuck, Rob.” Lucas whimpered into my ear.