Page 68 of The Tribrid Princess and the Taste of Chaos (The Rossi Legacies #7)

Jayce

D inner is over, and Leo and Azura arrived a short while ago with Kai, their older kids left at home.

Katara’s taken Sienna and the other two girls up to her room.

Kataleya and Azura are in the kitchen helping Mom and Grandma clean up, whilst the rest of us, aside from Carter, are sitting in the lounge.

He’s been pissed ever since I said I don’t want everyone who is able to be allowed to read the tomes.

Uncle Damon showed up not long ago as well, and he’s now sitting with us.

“I’m with Jayce on that one, the fewer who know the better, especially when we can share what will be knowledgeable with everyone and keep what needs to be kept a secret to be known only by a select few.

But not so few that if something were to happen that the knowledge would be lost,” Leo says, almost reaching for a cigarette, but instead letting out an exasperated sigh.

Both Mom and Grandma are in agreement that they don’t like the smell of smoke in the house.

“I understand that point, but they are your brothers, Jayce.” Dad now looks at me, concern in his eyes.

I frown slightly. “I know.” But it fucking hurts that I can’t share why I made that decision. My intuition isn’t wrong. I need to keep this to myself only… I know that. It’s just how I know something is up with Sienna, and that’s fucking freaking me out.

Theo shrugs. “I’m all good with it. Reading means concentrating. Reading means more homework. In a world of Jayces, be a laid-back Theo.”

Ahren chuckles. “That’s one way to look at it.”

“I see that, but this is about more than just what’s safest. It’s about trust,” Dad says, his eyes full of worry. It only makes me feel guiltier, especially since the five of us have always been tight – despite our differences.

Uncle Damon leans forward. “I get that, but I think what your dad is trying to say is trust in your bond as brothers. That always goes a long way.”

I look up at him as he and Dad exchange a look of understanding. Those two aren’t brothers by blood, but aside from that, their bond is strong; even when there was a time when that bond came close to being destroyed for good, they worked past that.

“I understand what you two are trying to say, but this is more than my opinion. It’s my instinct,” I say quietly.

The room falls silent, and Ahren and Theo glance at Dante as if he knows what I mean. Dante doesn’t react. Sipping on a milkshake Grandma had made, he looks at us but doesn’t say anything.

“Jayce’s call, as we said earlier. The boys will have to understand,” Grandad says with finality.

“Well, I think Elijah should be in the group, and you’ll need trusted sources to get it all written up. I can suggest some, and you can agree or disagree,” Leo says as he sits back and looks at me, his eyes sharp.

“Sure,” I agree.

“Alejandro, Jax, Damon, Enrique, Royce and Raihana.”

“Me?” Uncle Damon looks surprised.

“Is that an issue?”

“No, not at all.” Uncle Damon raises his hand in defence. “If Jayce is ok with that.”

“Yeah, I am.”

“Why not Zu?” Theo asks slyly before he and Dante begin snickering.

“Because we all know she’ll most likely miss out important bits, init,” Dante says, high-fiving Theo.

Grandad frowns at them as Dad narrows his eyes.

“Don’t pick on Zu,” Dad warns them.

“Even Leo didn’t pick her,” Theo points out.

Leo simply picks up his coffee mug, his face emotionless, but he doesn’t defend her either. We all know its facts, even if we don’t point them out. I suppress a smirk.

“She’s got her strong points, even if it’s not academically,” Enrique says now.

“She does. I’m not denying that, but I can still point out her flaws,” Dante says.

“Grow up! I can hear you!” Azura shouts from the kitchen, making both Theo and Dante smirk. I hear the front door open and turn to the arch that leads to the hallway, picking up the scents instantly.

Renji and Ares.

“A family affair without us?” Renji says. “I’m hurt!” he calls out, but he doesn’t enter the room, and I know he’s gone to find Mom. Ares does, though, and he cocks a brow, looking at the tomes that now sit on the table.

“Congrats on the success of the mission,” he says to no one in particular.

“And how come you are here? How did you manage to leave school?” Dad asks.

Ares shrugs. “Ask Renji.”

Dad nods before he looks at his watch. “Well, it’s late. I think everyone should rest, and tomorrow we can get to work,” he suggests.

“I’ll be heading out. Azura will be staying for a couple of days,” Leo says, standing up. “Dante, can you drop those who aren’t needed here back at the Academy first thing tomorrow?”

Theo groans as Dante nods.

Seems like the next few days are going to be exhausting. I don’t even know how long these books will take to read, but we have our work cut out for us.

It’s much later, and everyone is getting ready for bed. I’ve come up to see Sienna for a bit. I really need to tell Dad and Grandad about me and Sienna, so I’ll be heading down a little later. They will probably be awake anyway. Mom probably told Grandma already.

The books now sit in my room. Enrique’s already spelled them, so only I can open them with my blood. I wonder what they contain that the enemy wanted them so badly. All of this… they were waiting.

I watch Sienna, who is wearing one of my shirts, her sexy legs on show as she walks around my room looking at everything.

“You play much?” she asks, her fingers brushing along my guitar.

“Not anymore. There’s not really much time. I’m surprised I still play football,” I answer as I lie stretched out on the bed. She smiles as she continues to my desk.

“I think it’s good you do. Sometimes we need to unwind, even if it’s hard to focus on the lighter things in life.”

“Yeah.”

“Play something for me?” she asks, tilting her head.

I raise an eyebrow. “If you sing.”

“Sing? What do you want me to sing?” she asks, pressing her hand to her chest as I’ve seen her do countless times. I lean back as she brings my guitar over. I’ve heard her sing a couple of times, and I know she’s good at it. Singing is something she got from her dad. He used to sing, too.

“What were you singing that day when I was sitting behind the tree?”

She blushes. “That one... okay.”

I nod and gesture for her to begin as I settle on the bed, adjusting the tuning pegs on my guitar. “Go ahead, I’ll follow your lead.”

She nods back, then sits cross-legged opposite me. Closing her eyes, she takes a breath and begins to sing.

“You’ll never see me, even though you’re all I see.

No matter how crowded the room is, I’ll find you.

When will you see that I need you?

That I want you?

Tell me, why won’t you look my way?”

I listen closely, feeling out the tempo and melody, finding her rhythm. I begin to nod along, subtly matching the groove. I make a final adjustment to the tuning, then ease into it, strumming gently at first, syncing with her phrasing, letting the guitar blend with the emotion in her voice.

I watch her. Her voice is soothing, addictive, one that lures you in, and she sounds fucking incredible. Her eyes flutter open as she continues to sing.

“The storm inside of me is growing,

Will you be my anchor, knowing-

Knowing that I’m out of control?

Will you be my arrow in the stormy ocean?

No… I don’t think so, because you will never see me.”

Our eyes are locked, and I realise the song… is about me.

“Your green eyes remind me of the calmest scenery,

But your gaze burns me alive.

Your voice is all I want to hear,

And your unruly black hair-

Like a storm, wild, untamed, pulling me deeper.

You… that’s all I want.”

She looks down shyly before her gaze once again meets mine, her deep, red eyes as mesmerising as her voice.

“I see you on that field, like nothing in the world could touch you.

Do you even see me?

Do you hate when I fail?

I wish you’d hold me, I wish I could run my fingers through your dark hair-”

I lean over, cupping the back of her neck as I kiss her hard, cutting her off. Her breath hitches before she’s fisting my shirt and kissing me back.

“I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. You’re all that I ever saw with these green eyes.”

She smiles, laughing softly, resting her forehead against mine for a moment before I sit back and ask her to complete the song.

She nods as she obliges me, and I close my eyes, enjoying the sound of her voice.

“That was fucking beautiful,” I say when the song comes to an end.

“And you play the guitar really well,” she answers.

Our eyes connect, and I reach over, cupping her face as I brush my thumb down her cheek.

For a moment, that same conflict returns, and she forces a smile before getting off the bed and walking over to my desk, where I have paper and pencils.

“I want you to draw me, some day,” she says softly.

Once again, I sense the shift in her emotions as she tries to cover up whatever she’s feeling.

Is she thinking something’s going to happen? I need to get my answers from her emotions…

“That’s something I’d love to do,” I answer honestly.

She nods, looking over her shoulder at me. “Really? Then we should do that soon.” She turns away. Sadness.

I frown slightly, but keep my voice neutral. “What’s the rush? It’s not like you’re going to leave.”

Her heart hammers, and my stomach twists as a wave of her emotions hits me – guilt, sadness, and hopelessness.

What is going on?

I get up and walk over to her, taking hold of her chin.

“Si… Tell me what the fuck is going on?” I plead urgently, searching her eyes.

She shakes her head. “Nothing.”

That’s a lie…

My heart is hammering.

Ask the right questions, Jayce. Think. Think!

It’s hard to when my worry for her is fucking with my head.

“Did something happen that I am not aware of, something that is worrying you?” I ask softly.

She looks into my eyes, her own widening ever so slightly. “No,” she says, but this time her eyes are saying something different.

That’s a yes.

She’s clicked. So, does that mean she can’t say something?

“Is something stopping you from telling me the truth?” I ask quietly.

“No, nothing like that,” she whispers.

A lie.

My heart thuds as her eyes burn into mine.

Focus, man. I try to remain calm, sifting through everything. It all happened from the moment she woke up crying and distraught the other night. I remember what Shahira told me, and my eyes narrow. “Did something happen when you went into your dream?”

“No.”

Yes. That’s a yes.

“So, it has nothing to do with the man in your dreams?”

“No.”

Yes.

I nod slowly, and her eyes blur with tears before she wraps her arms around me tightly, her entire body shaking.

I don’t say anything else, my mind reeling. What the fuck is going on?

“We’ll get-” She quickly places her fingers on my lips, her heart pounding.

Does she think someone’s listening to us?

I kiss her fingers softly but say nothing more. Instead, I simply hold her tightly, my mind in turmoil.

“Get some rest,” I murmur softly, rubbing her back soothingly, hoping she understands that I’m here for her.

She looks up at me and locks her arms around my neck, tiptoeing. I lean down to reach her, our lips colliding in a deep, tender kiss, one of promise and hope.

Are you awake, Jayce? Renji’s voice comes into my mind. My eyes open and I realise I fell asleep with Sienna. She’s snuggled into my chest, and I comb my fingers through her hair.

I am, why?

You might want to come down. Ares and Theo are arguing.

What happened?

I really don’t know. I just came out now. We’re outside in the back.

I sigh softly. Theo isn’t easily riled up, but when he is, he doesn’t listen to anyone, be it Dad, Grandad or me, let alone Mom or Grandma.

I look fleetingly at Sienna before I slowly ease her off my arm, sneaking out of the room quietly.

She simply rolls over to my spot and curls up contentedly.

I leave the room, closing the door slowly behind me and make my way downstairs.

I step outside just in time to see Theo break free from Renji’s hold and throw a punch, knocking Ares to the ground, but he’s up in a flash, his eyes flashing dangerously.

“What the fuck are you two doing?” I ask them, as Carter staggers back from where he was trying to stop Ares.

“Oh, look, Saint Jayce the Great is here!” Ares sneers.

“Fuck off, you prick,” Theo says to him, his voice icy. “And you stay out of it, Jayce.”

“I asked a question, and I want an answer,” I repeat sharply.

Ares smirks coldly. “Alright, since it involves you, I should ask you. You’re the Deimos King now. I was saying to Theo, you should step down as Dad’s heir. You can’t be the Alpha of this pack and the Deimos King.”

“Dad is alive and well. We are not even having this conversation,” I say sharply.

“He won’t be forever,” Ares says.

“Ares!” Theo snarls, his voice more animal than human.

Ares laughs. “I’m talking to Jayce. Come on, Jayce, answer the damn fucking question!”

I look between them. Theo’s eyes are almost completely milky white, his hands shaking with rage. Carter is watching me, wiping a cut on his cheek he got when trying to break the other two up, and Renji’s eyes are on me, too, each one wanting to know the answer to that question.

“I will only stand down if I know one of you would make a better alpha – right now, you’re at the bottom of that fucking list, Ares. Now sort your shit out before Dad or Ma overhears,” I snarl, my eyes flashing. “And I don’t ever want you to talk about Dad like he won’t be here.”

Ares clenches his jaw. “Don’t be such a fucking saint. Does Dad know who you’re fucking yet?”

“Enough.” My eyes blaze as lightning flashes through the sky. “You don’t get to disrespect her like that.”

“Worried your girlfriend might hear?”

I’ve had enough. I close the distance between us and, raising my fist, I punch him across the fucking face. His head snaps to the side, and I hear something crack as he’s flung across the floor, smashing into the garden table and destroying it.

“What are you boys doing?” Dad thunders from behind us. “We have guests! Is this how you behave?”

I clench my jaw. Shit.

“We’re doing nothing,” Ares rasps as he staggers to his feet, blood gushing from his nose. “This is none of your business!”

“Ares, watch your tongue.” Dad’s voice is cold. “Jayce-”

“Oh yeah, Jayce, have you told Dad about your relationship with Sienna?” Ares asks mockingly.

Dad’s eyes widen with shock, and I just shake my head, feeling so fucking disappointed and pissed with his fucking attitude. “Fuck you, Ares.”