Shackled (The Lord Series) by Carlos
379. Jasper - Darkness I

Spencer sleeps undisturbed on the back passenger seat. Mose put him there before he ran after Olivia. The dome light is turned on, and I glance at Spencer. I haven't taken a good look at him until now. Except for his hair color similar to Olivia's, he looks just like Tyson.

My heart swells with love. My son.

I've wanted to be a father since I was a child myself. It has always been my greatest desire. I built the farmhouse so my children would have an amazing childhood surrounded by animals.

When I learned Olivia couldn't have children, it took me a while to come to terms with the fact that I would never be a father. I loved Olivia so much that I couldn't bear the thought of losing her. Being with her filled my life with joy. She was more than enough.

A blanket is on the back seat and I drape it over Spencer.

When I learned about Spencer, I mourned him as if he were my flesh and blood. For weeks, I was angry and sad, and I cried when no one was around, thinking of how life would have been if Spencer were still alive. I didn't say anything to anyone. Olivia was dealing with her own demons, and she needed support not to worry about my emotional state. It took me a while to pull myself up. I concentrate all my energy on making Olivia happy.

Little by little, Olivia let my blood-brothers and I win her over. Life was as perfect as it could be until we learned of her pregnancy and her not wanting to keep the baby.

I understood why, and while I was heartbroken all over again, Olivia came first. Besides, she was willing to adopt. Even if she chose to have an abortion, I still had the hope that I would be a father someday. Now, after Olivia finally decided to keep the baby, we found her grandparents and Spencer, and the enemy found us.

More than that.

One of ours is the enemy.

But is Ansel really willing to harm us?

I don't think so. My demon never sensed that Ansel was evil. Otherwise, he would have let me know. Even if Ansel is a Nephilim, he's on our side. I'm sure of it.

I drum my fingers on the dashboard, impatient for Mose and Olivia. If only I had the car keys, I would have driven around looking for them, but Jon accidentally took them with him. I can't leave Spence alone, either. If only Diva were with us, but we let her on the farm, to guard Wasp while she takes care of the animals.

We haven't told Olivia about it, because we know Wasp and her are friends, and we don't like it. Wasp might be the leader of the Sisterhood, but her actions made many question her intentions, as Rin couldn't keep quiet about what went down at the cabin.

When the nerves get the best of me, I get out of the car and look around. When Mose ran after Olivia, it took me several moments to realize my left knee is no longer troubling me. If I only remembered the moment she bolted out of the car, I wouldn't be here, dying from anxiety.

Footsteps reach my ears, and I exhale softly. Olivia is back.

I slowly walk to the end of the street, keeping an eye on the car, not wanting to risk Spencer's safety.

Tyson and Rueben appear from behind the corner.

"We are leaving in two hours," says Tyson before noticing my expression. "What happened?"

"Olivia felt Ansel getting hurt and she went back to the house," I reply.

Even with the dim light coming from the street lamps, I can see Rueben's eyes turning all red. "And you let her?" His tone is low and menacing. “Mose went after her while I remained with Spencer," I try to explain as we walk back to the car. “He fell asleep and I didn't want to wake him up.” Tyson rubs his temples. "You should have called us and let us know what happened."

"My battery is dead," I say. We reach the car, and as we look inside, I notice Olivia's bag at Spencer's feet. Rueben arches an eyebrow at me. I run my palm over my locs. "My Mama taught me that I should never look in a woman's purse." Rueben mutters something about me growing a backbone while Tyson pulls out his phone and dials a number. Several seconds later, he says, "Jon, we have a problem. Olivia and Mose returned to the house." A moment of pause, then, "Spencer is sleeping. Jasper is staying with him." The fuck I will. "I will see you back at the house."

"I'm not staying behind, not this time," I make it clear the moment Tyson ends the call. Rueben tries to argue, so I remind him, "As the leader of this group, I am the one to make the most important decisions. Besides," I pull Tyson in my embrace, "the idea of you and Olivia in danger is enough to drive me to the edge of insanity."

Tyson gets a little flustered. He always gets like this each time I'm affectionate with him. While my intention was to let him know that with my knee all healed, I am no longer a burden, it ended up as something else. Rueben shoves his hands in his pockets. "You two lovebirds can go together. I'll stay here with Spencer." Rueben glares at me as he keeps talking, "But if anything happens to Olivia, I'll hold you responsible."