His mother was dainty and thin, but she had a forceful presence that made her seem bigger than she actually was. It was that presence which kept her family in line, but Jesse had never been interested in falling in line for her or anyone else. They got along, but they would always bump heads from time to time.
Fern stared at Jesse with a pinched, wounded expression. “How could you, Jesse?”
He sighed. “Mom—”
“You knew what pain this would cause your family, but you didn’t care.” She took a step toward him. “Do you know how hard it was to hear this from someone else?”
“Would it have felt any better hearing about it from me?”
Her mouth snapped shut. But it unfortunately opened again. “You didn’t even discuss it with us.”
“Why would I? Even if I did feel the need to have your opinion, I wouldn’t have needed to talk to you; I already know how you feel about Harley.”
“And yet you claimed her. Claimed her. You could have had Kim.”
Ah, so she’d gone straight to his parents when she got home—probably told them terrible tales about his mate. Bracken must have come to the same conclusion, because he groaned.
Jesse told Fern, “I don’t want Kim or anyone else. Harley’s who I want.”
“How could you do this to Mia?”
“I’m not doing anything to her or because of her or to spite her—it has nothing to do with Mia or you.”
Julian sighed tiredly. “Son, I know Harley isn’t responsible for Mia’s addiction. So does your mother, deep down.” He glanced at her cold expression and amended, “Deep, deep, deep down.”
Jesse wouldn’t be too sure of that.
Fern waved a hand. “We’re not here about her anyway.”
Jesse narrowed his eyes. “What’s happened?”
“Someone desecrated Mia’s memorial stone,” replied Fern.
For a moment, Jesse had no words. Rage rushed through him like a tidal wave, tightening his muscles and clouding his vision. “Someone did what?”
His mother’s eyes flickered nervously. “It was someone in the pack. We don’t know who . . . but we suspect it was Spencer.” Torrie’s brother. “We think he wants to get back at you for taking another female as a mate.”
Motherfucker. Jesse’s breathing sped up and there was a strange pounding in the ears. He’d kill the little shit. Kill him and enjoy it.
“Jesse should have spent his life alone because Torrie died?” snarled Shaya. His wolf snarled right along with her.
“Of course not,” said Julian. “I don’t think her family would have reacted so badly if the female Jesse had claimed wasn’t Harley.”
“You mean all because she’s a Vincent?” asked Nick, disgusted.
Julian shook his head. “It’s not that. It would make them feel better to believe that Torrie was really his one and only, that another female would just be second best. That’s not something they can do with Harley. Jesse never hid his attraction to her as well as he’d thought. Everyone saw it. Everyone watched him come alive and knew who was responsible for that. They were grateful, but they also resented Harley for being able to do it. They can’t kid themselves into thinking Harley is second best.”
Shaya planted her hands on her hips. “So you know that he’s wanted her for a long time, and yet you still begrudge him the happiness you know she brings him? Seriously?”
Any other time, Jesse might have responded just as bitterly as Shaya had, but he was too enraged to speak right then as his mother’s news rang in his ears again and again. It didn’t matter that he’d never been close to Mia; she was still his baby sister, and he’d like to think she’d finally found whatever peace she’d been unable to find here. But the son of a bitch had desecrated his sister’s memorial stone. And now he’d pay for it. Jesse strode out of the living area and into the kitchen, heading right for the back door.
“Jesse, no! Wait, dammit.” Zander slipped in front of him. “You’re not thinking right now.”
“The fucker’s not getting away with this.” His voice cracked with anger.
“No, he’s not. But charging down there won’t help. He’s trying to draw you there. He was always sneaky like that.”
True, but Jesse didn’t care. “Zander, move out of my fucking way.”
But the enforcer didn’t. Worse, Bracken moved to Zander’s side to further block Jesse’s path. Jesse growled. “Both of you move.”
As Jesse ranted at his friends, Nick turned to his mate. “Shaya, call Harley. We need her.” Jesse was trembling with rage and Nick was sure that their best chance of calming the enforcer was to bring Harley to him.
Fern bristled. “This is family business.”
Nick leaned into the bitch, looming over her. “Look at him; he’s lost it. You did that by blurting out that shit instead of telling him gently.” She’d known it would hurt him, and that was exactly why the bitter bitch had done it. “Harley’s the only one who has a chance at calming him down, so deal with it.”
Fern swallowed. “Jesse doesn’t lose control.”
“He does; it’s just very rare,” said Derren. “Nick’s right; we’re going to need Harley, and we’re going to need her now.”
Shaya, phone to her ear, said, “Already on it.”