Page 155 of Burning Embers
Emery kicks at Grayson’s ribs, and Izzy gasps in surprise.
“Emery!” she cries.
He ignores her, his face twisted in a scowl. “Why don’t you tell them?” He flicks his gaze to Izzy before refocusing on Grayson. “Tell your precious Gracie what you’ve been up to.”
Gracie?
I frown in confusion, but no one rushes to fill me in.
Emery seems too lost to his rage to pay us any attention. He kicks at Grayson’s ribs again, ignoring Izzy’s cry and Hale’s demand for him to stop.
“You used my sister.” Kick. “Hurt innocent females.” Kick. “Tried to hurt my mate.” Kick. Kick. Kick.
I don’t even think he’s aware of what he’s saying.
Ethan’s arms tighten nearly imperceptibly at Emery’s use of mate, and Grayson’s eyes widen at the term before darkening in anger. Hale appears shocked, his lips parted to form a silent O.
Ashton’s face remains expressionless as he steps forward, places a hand on Emery’s shoulder, and pushes him back. It appears as if he’s had enough of Emery taking control.
“If what you’re saying is true, then we need to get Grayson to my father.” Ashton’s voice is calm and collected.
If I didn’t know him as well as I do, I’d say he was impassive, but I can see the undercurrent of anger shimmering in his apathetic brown eyes.
“If what is true?” Izzy demands, breaking free of Ethan’s embrace to crouch beside Grayson. “What the hell is happening?”
Hale pulls Izzy backwards before she can touch Grayson—which is smart, considering the four of us are seconds away from breaking. Seeing our mate touch a potential murderer may send us over the edge.
Actually, there’s no “may” about it. I know that I will kill him without remorse if he even places one finger on my mate.
“Hale!” Izzy snaps indignantly.
Hale keeps one hand on Izzy’s shoulder while rubbing the other down his face. He looks as if he’s aged years in a span of seconds, the shadows beneath his eyes impossibly pronounced.
“Ashton, call your dad. Reid, help me with Grayson.”
I nod once to tell him I understand.
Hale turns Izzy so she can face him. Tears stream down her cheeks, and the sight of it breaks my cold, dead heart.
“Izzy, stay here with Jake and Gerry. We’ll be back in a little bit.”
She angrily rubs at her face with the back of her hand. “What the hell did Grayson even do? I don’t understand. Is this because he came to visit me?”
He gives her shoulder a squeeze and then turns towards us. “We’ll explain everything tomorrow. I promise.”
There’s a warning and a threat in his voice, one we’d do well to heed.
Ashton’s jaw clenches, but he doesn’t refute, despite the denial I can see brewing in his eyes.
“Just stay inside, little hurricane,” Ashton tells Izzy.
“Fuck off, Ass-ton!” she snaps. She sniffs and spins towards us. “This is just a misunderstanding. I don’t know what you think Grayson did?—”
“We’ll explain everything tomorrow.” Emery reaches out to touch her, but she flinches away. His face falls, and hurt seeps into his eyes. “But we need to go.”
“With Grayson?” She sounds incredulous, and I don’t even blame her.
From what little I gathered, it appears as if she knows Grayson. Cares for him. Maybe even loves him.