[Southern Arcana 2.0] Crossroads by Moira Rogers Read Free Book Online

him; he’d tried so hard to protect Michelle, to make her life better than the average Seer’s.
    He’d succeeded to a degree, a sad acknowledgement considering her sister had fled to New Orleans in fear for her life.
    Nick wasn’t ready for something like this. She’d been running from her responsibilities for too long.
    Even now, her first thought had been to call someone else, someone who knew what to do. Her days of having that luxury were limited. Sooner or later, she’d have to buck up and start taking care of her own shit.
    “Tomorrow,” she whispered. She’d start tomorrow.
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    Chapter Four
    A pounding on the apartment door woke Nick, and her heart jumped into her throat. Michelle made a soft, distressed noise, and Nick raised a finger to cover her lips. “Shh. Stay here.” She slipped out of the room, closing the door behind her, and reached the end of the hallway in time to see Alec open the door for a livid Jackson.
    “Crap,” she muttered.
    He barely glanced at Alec before pointing at her. “You are up the creek, missy. What the hell is going on?”
    “Aw, shit,” Alec drawled, stepping aside. “Who tattled? Derek?” Nick crossed her arms over her chest. “Derek wouldn’t have done that.”
    “Kat,” Jackson told them shortly as he stomped in. “Derek pissed her off because he got some, or something, and she didn’t, except that Andrew says no one got any. Which is beside the point. What happened?”
    She ran her hands through her hair. “Michelle’s pregnant, and the Conclave’s hunting her and Aaron.” Jackson cursed. “My mama’s downstairs with Mackenzie.”
    “Precisely why Derek didn’t call you last night when he called Alec.” Nick dropped to a chair by the sofa and made a face. “It’s under control, Jackson. As much control as we can muster right now, anyway.”
    “Aaron.” Alec rose and gestured to the tall man who stood silently in the corner. “Why don’t you take Michelle downstairs? Mackenzie and Nancy will get you both something to eat, I’m sure, and she’ll be safe down there between you and Mac.”
    Aaron headed for the bedroom, and Nick walked into the kitchen to retrieve a mug. “Want some coffee, Jackson?”
    He arched an eyebrow. “No, thanks.”
    “How long are you going to be mad at me?”
    Jackson transferred his withering look to Alec. “I’m mad at you both.” Alec seemed unconcerned. “You used magic to sneak out of my house and face a homicidal Seer for my own good. Your high ground’s not so high, Holt.”
    Aaron led Michelle out of the bedroom, and Jackson’s frown disappeared. “Hi, Michelle.” Moira Rogers
    “Jackson.” Her sister actually smiled as she hurried across the room. She stopped suddenly a foot short of Jackson, looking like she wanted to hug him but wasn’t completely sure the gesture would be accepted.
    He opened his arms with a wide grin. “Come here.” She flew into his embrace, and he glanced at Nick over her head. “There’s someone I want you to meet downstairs, Michelle. My mother.” Michelle looked momentarily concerned, but Alec didn’t give her a chance to say anything. “Mama Holt’s dying for some more people to mother, Michelle. Sorry, sweetheart, but I’m throwing you under the train that is Nancy Holt. If I don’t, she’ll be up here trying to find me a wife.”
    “Oh, God forbid.” Nick sipped the coffee and grimaced. It was terrible. “She’s sweet, Michelle. You can practice your conversational French with her.”
    “Okay.” Michelle slipped her hand into Aaron’s, and he led her out the door, leaving Nick and Alec to face Jackson.
    Alec dropped back into his chair. “I’m thinking we should bundle your mother off to the safe house with them, Jackson. Keep her out of trouble and give Michelle someone to look after her who isn’t a nervous daddy trained in deadly combat.”
    Jackson looked down at his own injured leg. “Mackenzie and I could go too.