Page 110 of Healer’s Betrayal

“But why?” my voice cracks.

“What she said was true,” he says quietly. “The Phoenix Pack was never going to allow her to live; she killed one of their own. Besides, she wasn’t truly remorseful, and she couldn’t be trusted.”

“Yeah, and now she’s dead,” I bite out.

“She is,” he admits. “And now, you’re safe and so is Noah.”

I shake my head. “I want to be alone,” I manage to get out.

“I know.” I wait for him to leave, but he doesn’t.

“You’re still here,” I point out.

He leans forward and kisses my shoulder. “I am.” His hand strokes down my arm. “One of the things I’m finally learning is that I can’t do life on my own. I thought I could.” He sighs. “Turns out, I can’t.” He pauses a moment. “You can’t either, Sweetheart. So, I’m going to be right here. You can be mad at me; you can even hate me. But I’m not leaving.”

And that’s when I fall apart.

Chapter 49

Kayla

I’m not sure how long I cry, but Jackson holds me through all of it until I fall into an exhausted sleep. Too soon, he shakes my shoulder gently. “We’re here.”

I manage to open my puffy eyes. “Where?” I ask.

“We’re in Wisconsin, heading to the Northwoods Pack. I figured you’d want to get right to Noah.”

I take that in and instantly sit up. “Noah. He’s here?”

“Yes.” I stand up from the bed as Jackson walks around to the same side I’m standing on. He keeps walking until he’s standing close enough, our chests touch. Then he lifts a hand and palms my cheek. I close my eyes at the touch for a moment. “You’re the strongest person I know,” he says, leaning forward and touching his forehead to mine before pulling back and looking into my eyes. “You will get through this; I promise. And I’ll be at your side every step of the way.” I stare into those gorgeous blue eyes and catch my breath as a thought slams into me so forcefully, I gasp. For the first time in a very long time, I don’t have to do this all alone; I have someone to lean on. “Kayla?” he asks with concern in his voice. “Baby, talk to me. What is it? Are you in pain?” With each word, his voice grows more and more concerned.

“Did you mean it?” I ask.

He frowns in confusion. “What?”

“That you won’t leave me, even when it gets hard?” It’s hard for me to get my lips to form those words, let alone speak them.

Understanding dawns on his face, and he palms the back of my neck. “Yes.” There’s not an ounce of hesitation in his voice. “You can’t shake me, Love, even if you want to. I’m yours both now and forever, just like you’re mine. When you fall apart, I’ll be the one to help put you back together.”

I blink back tears as I stare up at him. “I don’t deserve you.”

He chuckles low in his chest. “No, Baby. I don’t deserve you, but don’t get any ideas. I’m not letting you go.”

“Promise?” I ask, licking my lips.

His gaze drops to my lips, and I go still. “That is my promise to you,” he says in a gruff voice. He leans forward, and my breathing grows shallow. There’s only a centimeter of space between us now, and my brain keeps returning to the last time he kissed me.

Somebody knocks on the cabin door. “Everybody’s off the plane,” Garrett speaks through the closed door.

Jackson growls quietly, and I push on his chest. “We’re coming,” I tell him. I turn towards the door, but Jackson has other plans. He snags my wrist and spins me right back to him.

“Not yet.” And then his lips are on mine. I thought he’d be aggressive after the way he just grabbed me, but he’s so tender. His lips touch mine once, twice, and then a third time. He pulls back, and I stare up at him. Without saying a word, he puts his hand out; and I place mine in his. Then, he opens the door, and we make our way through the plane. Garrett stands off to the side talking to a guy I don’t recognize; I assume he’s the pilot. But when he sees us, he turns towards us.

“Ready?”

Jackson nods, and we follow him. Jade stands against a black SUV, looking a little lost. I release Jackson’s hand and walk right over to her. “Hey.” I give her a quick hug. “Sorry I kind of lost it a little bit there.”

“Crying for the vampire they killed?” she asks with raised eyebrows.