“I cannot believe the council is allowing drugs into the community. Even more unbelievable is that my father is the one leading this shit. He was always spouting off about how drugs were the ruin of humanity and how shifters were above the disgusting stuff.”
“I know, it’s unreal, but I found proof. Alexander’s scent was all over the house, including around the drugs.” Jordan looked away, not meeting my eyes.
I nodded and looked at Jordan thoughtfully. He was hiding something.
“You went on the reconnaissance mission?”
“Yes.”
I waited, but he offered no further information.
“That’s all you have to say about it?”
He shrugged, as if it was no big deal. He couldn’t fool me. There was a tightness around his eyes, and his jaw was ticking. Classic signs that Jordan was upset.
“I went in, found the evidence and got out.”
I shook my head. Damn, he was stubborn. “Try again, Jordan. Tell me what happened. Did it have to do with my father?”
I cringed at the word. I hated calling that man my father. I always knew he was a cruel bastard, but I had thought he saved his hatred for only me. The rest of the community walked on water in his eyes. Everyone loved and respected him, and he had treated them the same. I guess things changed.
Jordan sighed out a long, harsh breath. He was irritated, I got that, but I knew he needed to get something off his chest. Being best friends with him for so long, I knew these things.
“I needed to find where the drugs were being stored. One of the houses that popped up on our radar belonged to Layla Katz.”
“Layla? She’s involved in this?”
“Alexander has involved everyone.”
I rubbed my face with both hands, something else to be pissed at my father about. Layla was a sweet girl. She was wild, I thought with a smile, as I remember some of the antics we used to get into. I’d always liked her. She was a good friend and knew how to have a good time. The thought of her caught up in the shit going down twisted my stomach.
“What happened?”
“I made the decision and chose Layla’s house. I figured I could talk to her, maybe persuade her into telling me what was going on. I wanted to help her.”
Jordan walked over to his desk and sat down. He stared blankly at the computer screen. I glanced down at his hands. They were curled into fists. Something horrible must have happened, or maybe he saw something. I wasn’t sure, but I waited patiently.
“But I just used her instead.”
I could tell from the way his voice cracked that he was extremely upset, but I was still confused.
“What do you mean?”
“She looked good, pretty much the same as I remembered her. Well, she was a little more wary, tired maybe, but she was really welcoming.” He raised his eyebrows and snorted. “Really welcoming.”
I was beginning to understand. Jordan slept with Layla in order to get closer, to obtain her trust, and he felt guilty.
“Jordan, you did what you felt you needed to do. It happens.”
He turned abruptly with a glare. “Would you have done it?”
I opened my mouth to say Yes, absolutely, but I realized I couldn’t. I would have thought about Sam and— “Is that what’s going on? You feel guilty, Jordan?” I asked, shaking my head. “You’re right. I probably wouldn’t have slept with Layla, mostly because of Sam. But I don’t think you did anything wrong.” I shrugged. “You and Sam had broken up. If it makes you feel better, talk to Sam. Who knows, she might get pissed as hell. I don’t know women that well, but I think Sam is more understanding than that.”
Jordan pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes, clearly frustrated. I couldn’t blame him. I really hoped Sam was the forgiving sort.
“That is not what this is about.”
“Well, what’s going on then?” He sat there silent, and my patience vanished.
“Jordan!” His head jerked up, but he still didn’t say anything. “I was trying to let you tell me what was wrong on your own time, but I’ve had enough. You’re acting like a child. How is this relationship between you, Sam and me going to work if you can’t communicate? I’m not going to spend the rest of my life trying figure out what the hell’s wrong with you.”
Jordan’s blue eyes were hard and cold. He might not have appreciated my scolding, but if we were going to live together, share a woman together, and the rest of our lives, we had to find a way to talk. Sam was right when she said we couldn’t hide anymore.
Finally, Jordan nodded. His icy stare had thawed some. He was ready to talk.
“Layla’s dead.”
Okay, I wasn’t sure what I thought he was going to say, but that was definitely not it. My mouth opened and closed like a fish, yet no words would form. It was my turn to be mute.