Dark Tremor (Mated by Magic #2) by Stella Marie Alden, Chantel Seabrook Page B

secret.”
    Falcon went pale.
    “Everything okay?” Josh’s face held consternation as he approached, still holding the cat.
    Jace scrubbed the back of his neck and fought the urge to kick Falcon’s ass. The man was only trying to help, but Jace couldn’t deny the possessiveness that overcame him. Just seeing another man touch her made his blood boil.
    “There’s scorch marks on the ground,” Josh said quietly. “This wasn’t an accident, was it?”
    “No. There’s some serious shit going on.”
    “You trust the girl?” Josh nodded at Terra, who had begun to stir and moan.
    “Yes,” he said, albeit hesitantly. She was hiding something. Of that he was certain.
    “Not sure about her boyfriend though.” When Jace glanced at Falcon, a low grumble vibrated at the back of his throat.
    His brother’s eyes widened. He opened his mouth to comment, then smartly shut it when Jace gave him a pointed look.
    “Falcon?” Terra’s lashes fluttered and she opened her eyes.
    Damn if his heart didn’t almost rip out his chest when she spoke someone else’s name first.
    Falcon whispered in her ear, she nodded, then glanced over at Jace, a tight smile on her lips.
    “Pumpkin?” Her brows turned down, and her little mouth quivered.
    For the first time, Jace was glad he hadn’t let go of the damn cat. “He’s here. Safe and sound.”
    “Thank you.” She let out an audible sigh and gave him a sweet smile. “I’m so tired.”
    “You need to rest.” Falcon kept his hand on her chest, despite the fact that he was no longer pulsating healing powers into her. He didn’t even try to hide his smirk.
    Jace ground his teeth, about to say something, but a group of shouting reporters breached the yellow tape. The police stepped in and held them off.
    Terra’s eyes opened wide, then she scrambled to sit. “I need to get out of here.”
    “I’ll take you back to my hotel.” Jace moved in, shoving Falcon aside with his elbow.
    “No.” Her eyes darted around the scene. “I can’t go with you.”
    “Why the hell not?”
    “Because she doesn’t want to.” Falcon puffed out his chest and stepped in.
    “I wasn’t asking you.” Jace’s fist clenched.
    “Oh my God. He’s here.” Terra’s voice rose an octave and her mouth dropped open.
    Jace followed her gaze. A well-dressed middle-aged man exited a black SUV, followed by a few of his goons.
    Mic Luggerio. He’d never met the man, but he’d seen pictures and knew what to expect.
    “Falcon, take me to the reservation. Your grandfather will know what to do. Please.”
    “I-I can’t.” Beady eyes flickered back and forth between the oncoming gangster and Terra.
    “Falcon. Please.” She grabbed his wrist. Pain clouded her beautiful eyes.
    “Stay here. I’ll be right back.” The little weasel turned on a heel and bolted.
    The look of rejection on Terra’s face made Jace want to punch him in the nose. Something wasn’t right. What was up with the skittishness?
    Jace would’ve followed to find out, but he wouldn’t leave her. Not like this.
    “Come on.” He placed an arm under her knees and another one under her shoulder and picked her up. “I’ll take you wherever you want to go.”
    She shivered uncontrollably in his arms. “He knows who I am. That’s why he’s here.”
    Jace had a bad feeling she was right. They needed out of there, fast. He doubted Mic would try anything with the media around, but who knew how fucking crazy the man really was. If the stories about him were true, Terra was in a shitload of trouble, and he’d just stepped right in it with her.
    He placed her in the passenger seat of his truck and shut the door.
    “What are you going to do?” Josh handed him the cat, blessedly in a carrier.
    “I don’t know yet.”
    “I booked a suite at the Vdara. Meet us back there. We’ll regroup and we can figure out our next move.”
    “Sounds good.” Jace ran a hand over his chin. “Sorry you and Nicole were dragged into