Though he couldn't recall much about his time away, some of the torture he endured lingered in his nightmares. As if his suffering hadn't been bad enough, knowing that Montaña had been so close, yet now remained as elusive as ever, was like a thorn in his side. Jules had no idea where they'd been holding him, and none of the team's contacts could verify the location of Montaña and his men, other than the fact that they'd caught occasional glimpses of them in Trindade.
Jules wanted nothing more than to gut the asshole. He just had to find him first.
He pulled out of Tersch and stood, glancing at the ring he refused to remove from his hand. Instinct told him to wear it, that it held some importance he'd come to learn in time. He'd been sure to have the ring tested before bringing it home. The thing didn't transmit or receive data, and it harbored no biohazard or other malady that could be detected. It looked like what it was: a man's ring with a large sapphire embedded in the antique gold. But who the hell had given it to him? The Circ who'd dropped him off at the hotel?
Jules snorted. Yeah, right.
“Thanks,” Tersch mumbled and stood. He didn't look at Jules, and Jules had had enough.
“That’s it. Enough of your moping. You're acting like a goddamn pussy. Now admit the problem.”
The anger that flared on Tersch's face warmed him. For too long Tersch had been acting easygoing, even compliant. Definitely not his personality.
“I'm fine.”
“You're pissing Ava off. You avoid her all the time. You barely look at Olivia, and you've actually been civil to Mrs. Sharpe. When's the last time you called her Alicia to her face? Or flipped Morgan off? Or hell, flirted with Ava?”
“I've never flirted with Ava,” Tersch grumbled. “What the hell's wrong with me being polite?”
Jules needed a drink. Dealing with rogue Circs and avoiding bullets didn't give the headaches this emoting crap did. Olivia should have been doing this. As the team empath, she could siphon off bad emotions when needed. But Tersch refused to let her touch him. It was like the bastard wanted to hold on to his pain.
“You're not being you. Granted, not being a problem for Mrs. Sharpe is a nice change, but even she’s tired of your behavior.” Jules decided to take off the kid gloves. “I know what this is about, and you need to stop it.” Tersch glanced away.
“You're not your father. You would never have intentionally hit Ava. You were pissed.”
“I should have controlled myself.”
“Yeah, you should have,” Jules agreed and read the surprise on Tersch's face.
And that was half the problem. In trying to help him, the team had been too nice.
Tersch needed a foot up his ass to keep him in line. “So next time, keep it under control.”
“Jules, man, I tried.” Tersch ran a hand through his shaggy blond hair. “It's like there's this festering rage inside me. When you were gone, I knew I could help.
I wanted to help, but no one would let me because Hayashi had one of his damned visions.” Tersch scowled. “Instead, he and Morgan went. That fuckhead.” Jules grinned. “Come on, he's not that annoying.” Tersch stared at him.
“Okay, he is. But he makes Hayashi happy.”
“I know. Why do you think I haven't broken him in two yet? With as much shit as he's been giving me, I should have killed him by now. Asshole thinks he can order me around. And he's way too familiar with Ava,” Tersch muttered then sighed. “It's just hard, you know? For so long, it was just the four of us. Now Fallon's got Olivia, and Hayashi has Morgan.” He flushed, as if embarrassed to admit he was lonely. “I don't… I just… Hell, I don't know.”
“You think I don't feel the same? I can literally see all that love in their auras, that violet energy that surrounds them. It's so beautiful; you have no idea.” Jules wanted that kind of togetherness for himself, so much so, he could taste it. His beast shoved a vision of dark red hair and bright blue eyes at him, demanding the return of his mate, and Jules shook it away. Christ, one problem at a time.
“So what's stopping you from getting hitched?” Tersch asked and grabbed a rag to clean himself. He sank down onto his bed. “You're fairly normal. Women seem to like you well enough.”
“You mean, until I have to admit I fuck men who turn into beasts and that I'm not human anymore?” Jules asked drily. “Sometimes a monster cock isn't a good thing, man.”
Tersch sighed. “Well, there is that. Finding a mate is complicated. But it's not for me. I don't want a mate, a girlfriend, or God forbid, a wife. No ties. Just me and my team.”
Yet Tersch didn't sound convinced.
“Yeah, well, I'm not here to talk you into jumping on board the love train. But interceding the way you did yesterday, throwing yourself between me and those gunrunners in Florida? Not good. You need to stop throwing yourself between me and danger. I can handle myself. No matter what the others have been saying, I'm fine, back to normal, and prepared to kick your ass if you don't quit babying me.”
“Don't you mean fuck my ass?” Tersch griped and shifted on the bed. “Hell, Jules. You pounded me good.”
“You complaining? Because that was an awful lot of cum that splashed over my fingers while I reamed you.”
Tersch flushed. “Whatever.”
Jules looked closer at his teammate, using his psychic skills, and was relieved to see that the gray and blackened streaks through Tersch's aura were finally starting to fade into a warmer red, the color of health.
“Look, I'm not a matchmaker. I could give two shits if you settle down and have a passel of kids.” Which in Jules's opinion was exactly what Tersch needed—some sense of normalcy. “But we work as a unit, and the women are a part of that.
Just turn back into the arrogant asshole that annoys the crap out of them. Because if you don't, I'm turning Sharpe loose on you. She's been dying to have a few one-on-ones. I've been keeping her off your ass.”
Tersch sighed. “Okay, already. Understood. I owe you one.”
“More than one.”
“Damn.”
“And stop avoiding Ava. She's more than pissed. She's hurt you won't talk to her.”
“Thought she didn't want me aggravating her. Thought I was doing her a favor by staying away,” Tersch grumbled.
“Well, you're not. And every time she or Mrs. Sharpe is upset with you, I have to hear about it. So cut it the fuck out. I don't care if you have to pretend. Just go back to acting like a dick.”
Tersch's slow smile showed a hint of fang. “Aye, aye, Lieutenant Hawkins. You want me to be a dick, will do.”
“Terrific,” Jules muttered. Nude, he strode over to the door and opened it. He mentally called out, “Fallon, bring Olivia. I want you two to be all over Tersch. He’s better now, but he could use more help. Make him feel like part of the team. And make him interact with Olivia. Show him he won’t hurt her. We know he won’t, but he’s not convinced.”
Though Jules wasn't telepathic, Fallon was. By projecting hard along the pathway Fallon had created for him, Jules could reach Fallon almost anywhere.
“Sure thing, boss.”
Fallon appeared moments later with Olivia behind him. The sexy woman wore a skimpy little negligee that would have had Jules joining them if another woman's bright blue gaze didn't constantly crop up in his mind's eye. And that he couldn't admit without everyone thinking he'd lost his mind. He shielded his thoughts, concerned Fallon or Olivia might pick up something he didn't want them to.
“Oh hell. Jules, you didn't.” Tersch groaned, especially when Olivia snickered, raced past Jules, and jumped on Tersch on the bed.