Page 34 of Amaris Rejected (Stone Mountain Shifters #2)
Devon
The rest of the weekend was spent happily with my family. Amaris and I didn't have any more time alone because I didn't want to push her, and the opportunity never arose. Still, I believe we made significant progress. I left last night so I could have time to visit the prison this morning, confront my demons, and finally put them to rest. It's just another way of showing that Amaris is my top priority.
I get up this morning and leave the motel where I stayed last night. My bags and those of my enforcers are packed and loaded in the SUV. Right after this meeting, I’ll return to Amaris and Zoe.
My first stop is security in the basement, where the prisoner cells are located. I need to question Sheila and find closure with Jeni. Hill and Fillion are heading to the evidence room to copy some items we’ll need for this meeting in about an hour.
I enter the prison block. One of the Kingdom enforcers I know is on duty. "Hey, man," he greets me. "I'm glad you're here. Can you keep an eye on the prisoners while I step out to take a leak and grab a soda? My partner called out last night, and I haven't had a break yet."
"Sure, I can do that. Go ahead," I reply.
After he leaves, I look over the holding chambers. Each cell is spacious enough for one person and includes a bed with a toilet and sink combo. The door has a bulletproof window and a speaker system that allows conversation by flipping a switch on either side. Cameras are positioned in the main block where I am and installed in each cell, which doesn’t afford the prisoner much privacy.
When I see Jeni, she immediately notices me, and a smile lights up her face. Mine, however, twists with pure anger and contempt for everything she’s cost me. I turn on the audio system to speak. "Jeni, I’m just here for closure." Her eyes widen, and her expression falters. "I know you manipulated me, drugged me, and even used spells to interfere with my mate bond. I despise you for that."
She flinches.
"Devon," she taps the switch on her side to speak, her movements jerky and frantic. "No, Devon, I love you and know you feel the same way about me."
"You’re a sick person, Jeni. Your trickery made me turn my back on Amaris. I know it's on me too. I shouldn’t have prioritized you. I realize that now, and it tortures me.”
I choke out the words. "That treachery cost me my mate and my son. When I left her, she was actually pregnant, while yours was a lie. Because she was alone, the stress caused her to lose my pup. My son died."
I spit, rage engulfing me. "Were you even aware of that? Did you know what I lost?"
"No! No, no, no! Devon, I had no idea. How could I?"
"I don't know if I believe you. Everything you say is a lie that hurts others and destroys lives. You don't love me; you only care about getting what you want, without a thought for anyone else’s feelings. And, to set the record straight, I don’t love you, not even as a friend any longer."
"Yes, you do love me!” she screams, collapsing into tears. “You chose me—” she jabs her finger in her chest, “—stood by me—” jab, “—believed me—” jab, “—and pushed her aside for ME!” With each word, her finger punctuates her point, driving the message home. "That’s love, Devon!”
I run my fingers through my hair, bowing my head in shame. She’s right about how I treated Amaris. “My love for you was never romantic, Jeni. You were like a sister to me.”
“No, you’re lying,” she continues to cry. “You don’t leave someone you love for sisterly affection. No matter what you say, you never loved Amaris and showed it repeatedly.”
My gut clenches at the nausea that hits because I’ve finally come to an understanding of just how deeply my betrayal of Amaris runs. It’s just as bad as Jeni’s, but it stings more because Amaris is my mate, while there are no real ties to Jeni. She’s not my sister; she’s not family; she’s… nothing.
“You mean nothing to me, Jeni.” I turn away as she falls apart. “I left Amaris that day out of honor and obligation for an unborn pup that could never have existed because we didn’t have a physical relationship. It was all lies.”
“I love you, Devon, you’re everything to me.”
"Jeni!” I shout, cutting her off by slashing my hand through the air to stop her word vomit. My frustration peaks, and I take a deep breath, centering myself before continuing. “I've recently learned that you rejected your mate at that Meet-and-Greet where I met Amaris. Just before deceiving me with lies about being pregnant, you rejected Alpha Commander Beck Kason. Are you really that clueless? Your moon-blessed mate is the highest Alpha."
"I only ever wanted you, Devon," she wails, writhing on the floor like the snake I now know her to be.
"Lies, lies, lies, Jeni!” I growl, breathing heavily. “I never want to see you again after all this is over. I’ll never forgive you for what you and my foolishness have cost me."
"Tell her if she ever interferes with our relationship with Amaris again or harms her or our pup, she’ll pay for it with her life," Rue growls.
"Rue wants me to tell you that you’re dead if you ever interfere in our life again or hurt Amaris or our pup. He’ll kill you, and I won't stop him."
“You don’t mean that!” Her sobs grow louder.
Anger courses through my veins like acid as I struggle to control Rue. Jeni is fortunate to be on the other side of that steel door right now.
Julian Reems, the lead security officer, enters, and I look up. "Are you alright, Alpha Devon?" he asks. "Where are my enforcers?"
"I'm fine." I shoot a glare at Jeni. "Your enforcer on duty mentioned his teammate called out last night, and he needed a bathroom break, so I told him I’d take care of it until he got back. I'm supposed to attend a meeting soon, but I needed to discuss a few things with Jeni Quinn first. I also want to schedule a time with you after my meeting to continue questioning Sheila Morris."
"Sure, that can be arranged. Just let me know when you're done with your meeting."
"Thanks. My enforcers, Hill and Fillion, are in the evidence room with another one of your officers, gathering copies of the materials we need for the meeting."
As we stand there talking in front of the five occupied cells, six men rush into the room.
"How did you get in here?" Julian demands.
The one in front says, "Julian, I’ve just come to reunite with my family." He laughs, reaching into his pocket to take out a cigarette and lighter. His eyes gleam with danger as he inhales, then blows out the smoke with a satisfied sigh. He places the lighter back in his pocket.
Julian instantly recognizes him. "No smoking here, Remington. You don't have clearance to be in this area. "If you want to visit a family member, there’s a procedure," he snaps. That’s when I recognize him too. He is Remington Reems, Jeni's cousin.
"Ah, cuz, I don't want to visit. I’ve come to take them home." He waves his hand as if this is the most normal request. He points to the first cell door as blue lasers shoot from his fingers. The door flies open. He quickly repeats the process until all five doors spring open. "I only want my family, but I think I'll release all five of your prisoners just for the fun of it."
While Remington blasts open the cell doors, I leap at him, slashing his back with my claws. Surprised, he screams and twists, delivering a blow so powerful that I crash to the floor. I struggle to clear my head, then spring back to my feet, but the henchmen grab me before I can reach him. The four of them force my thrashing body to the ground, pinning me down by my throat. Taken down so quickly, they have to be Alphas. Still, they can barely restrain me, but they manage to hold me down until one of them pulls out a pre-loaded syringe. I feel the sharp sting in my neck, and then my body stills. I’m still breathing, but I can't move my muscles. I’m paralyzed.
From my spot on the floor, I search for Julian. He’s crumpled in a heap by the door, clearly taken out during my attempt to subdue the intruders. I hope he’s still breathing.
"Out, ladies!" I hear Remington call, pain evident in his voice. At least I got him good, his blood dripping onto the floor. "Quickly, clear the room so we can set the charges and leave!" he orders. One thug hauls Julian’s limp body out while another drags me into the adjacent room.
The females follow, huddled behind us while the remaining goons pull wires and other objects from their bags. How did they get all this past security? Working quickly, they assemble and attach what appear to be explosives to the outer wall of the holding cells, then wind the wire out to the hallway. Once everyone is out, they shut the main entrance to the cellblock and detonate the explosives.
The entire building shakes as the ceiling collapses around us. Thankfully, it’s just the lightweight fiberglass tiles and the fragile metal grid system that suspends them. The fluorescent ceiling lights explode, bulbs bursting in a shower of glass. Sparks fly from exposed electrical wires as the lights flicker on and off, swinging erratically from what’s left standing. Fortunately, the structure seems to settle and remains stable right now.
Remington yanks the wrecked cellblock door open and shouts, "Get the females, and let's move!"
I hear Jeni shout, "Bring Devon! He’s my boyfriend!"
Remington hesitates briefly before signaling his henchmen. They swarm into the main cell room, hauling me through the doorway. As the early morning sunlight pours through the gaping hole in the building’s side, I take in the devastation. The room is now a mess of concrete rubble, soil, and debris. The fluorescent fixtures are destroyed, leaving behind only twisted steel and exposed wires, all remnants of the explosion that breached the wall, revealing a tunnel leading to the surface.
Goddess, help me, I silently beg as one of the thugs throws me over his shoulder and climbs out to where a van is waiting. I’m dumped unceremoniously in the back.
I’m still unable to do anything but breathe. Taking advantage, Jeni climbs in, curling up against my side. Taking out her cell phone, she turns my head toward her and kisses my lips while snapping photos of us. I can’t even close my eyes to block out my disgust, so it looks like I’m a willing participant.
Typing on her phone, she sighs, then says, “Sent! You’re mine now, love,” she purrs, smiling as she settles onto my chest and continues kissing me. “I just sent some risqué photos of us to Amaris. No matter what happens now, Amaris has too much pride to take you back. So, get comfortable, darling. Based on the results of that last batch of tea I made for you, I’ve perfected my formula. The enchantment will ensure that you and Rue fall completely under my control. You’ll finally show me the love you truly feel for me.”
Rue is oddly still; his usual fury when Jeni is near is entirely subdued. The serum they gave me must have almost knocked him out completely.
Remington barks from the front, "Knock it off, Jeni. His body isn't working right now; he's paralyzed!"
"Darn it!" she exclaims.
"I'm going to kill her the first chance I get," Rue growls weakly.
She giggles when she senses the vibrations in my chest.
"I'm completely on board with you, Rue," I respond silently, still unable to speak aloud. "If she’s put our family at risk, I don't care what happens to me. I want her DEAD! She’s sealed her fate."
"Agreed."