Free Their Improbable Mating [Paranormal Protection Unit 3] (Siren Publishing Allure) by Honor James

will take you out of the equation and pray to Gaia that she blesses him with someone that actually has a fucking spine and a heart.”
    That gave her pause. “And will she?” she asked now. “Tell me, Aiden, will this ‘Gaia’ give him someone that will be able to respect his heritage and be the good little what-the-fuck-ever it is that he needs? Because you made that really, really fucking clear that it wasn’t me,” she said softly.
    Staring at her, he lowered the gun and shook his head. “You have got to be kidding me,” he said holstering the weapon. “That’s what you got out of that conversation? You really aren’t for him, are you?” he asked. “I said, and I quote, because I actually have a functioning mind and memory unlike some individuals, that shortening our names was unnecessary and an insult to our heritage.” Sighing, he got out of the vehicle. “Our father died the day after we were born, the day of our naming. Before he did, he and our mother chose our names. We honor his memory by never using a nickname and we request others respect that same memory by doing the same. Whatever you and Allister decided between you is between you, but I made the request you not use a nickname. Who’s the idiot on this one, Jackie?” he asked her quietly. “It sure isn’t me. But then you were so hot to get away from him you didn’t feel the need to ask him for any explanation, did you? On anything.” Looking away, he tossed a piece of paper on the front seat. “I still say I should take my chances on Gaia being a bigger person and giving him someone worthy of his heart, but I guess I’m going to play the idiot for the moment. His address is on there. If you think you can get over your pissy attitude, at least go and tell him why you dumped him, and maybe he’ll get back to living again.” Slamming her car door, he stalked off. He couldn’t look at her and not want to kill her, fucking bitch.
    Jackie had listened. She had listened carefully but she still wasn’t sure. Taking a breath though, she sighed and decided that she had to check. She had to be sure that Allister was truly all right. Grabbing the paper, she keyed up her nav system and started her way there.
    Parking outside of the large home, Jackie pulled off her shoulder holster and tossed it onto the floorboard, locking the weapons in the glove box even though they were only filled with blanks. Taking a moment to breathe, she walked up to the door. She didn’t know why she was doing this, why it was that she was coming to him. If he really loved her wouldn’t he have come for her? Come to her and asked her just what the fuck her deal was?
    Lifting her hand, she knocked on the door, waiting for an answer so that she could find out why he didn’t come to her if he really was heartbroken. If he really cared he would have come for her, to at least find out why, right?
    Cursing Aiden for not using the key he’d stolen, Allister shuffled to the door and pulled it open. “Shouldn’t you be…” His tone was bored. As he stopped he just stared dully at her. “Come to twist the knife finally, have you?” he asked, still in an uninterested tone. “Go away,” he muttered, pushing the door shut even as he walked away, not caring if she did leave. She’d left before. He was sure she’d do it again.
    “You know,” she said and leaned against the door to watch him, “I know that I’m nowhere near good enough for you, but I have to know.” She paused. “Why?” she asked quietly. “Why didn’t you come for me, at least to ask me what the hell happened? You knew very good and well where I was because Daddy had kept Talon in the loop, so why? Am I really not good enough? Is it because I tried to tease you and accept you and your brother into my life by teasing and giving nicknames that you both got together and decided that I just wasn’t good enough for you?”
    “Why come for someone that obviously felt nothing for me?” he said,