Splendid Shadows (Book 2) The Beautiful Darkness Series

Chapter Nineteen-Macon

Hello, Lovelies, 

I hope everyone is safe and healthy.  Thank you so much for reading Splendid Shadows and for being so patient.  I am back to my regular schedule.  Though if you haven't noticed, the chapters will be released at night now instead of morning.  My uploading schedule is on my profile.  I do appreciate everyone who has supported me during this time.  I adore you all.  

News: I am going through the final edits of Sparked.  It will be entered into The Wattys 2020.  Also, it will be getting a new cover upon completion.  

I do hope everyone enjoys this chapter.  If you do, please let me know by voting or commenting.  

-XXXX Amanda

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I narrowed my eyes at the men before me, trying to figure out a way to save them...Save Jade and Noah. Ari shifted as he glanced around the room, his eyes settling on me with an expression I knew too well. He had a plan...One I wasn't going to like.

"What is it, Ari?" I snapped, my shoulders tightening as if readying for a fight.

He winced as he raised his hazel eyes to mine, "We know Jade well enough that if she says she's going to do something, that is exactly what she does. I don't think she's planning on running away from you. She's wanting to learn every way to protect herself and she's worried about all of us. Jade's smart enough to know he's probably tired of all the failed attempts to retrieve her by his guys. He's going to come out of hiding. He's going to come for her himself."

"And we now know he's not at the address given to us by Sean," Gaige said, shaking his head, "Tony briefed me before you called this little meeting. The men in the house had no information. They tragically died in the fire."

"They deserved worse," Abel said, curling his lip, "All the Jararacas do."

"So, that means Calvin is out there, hiding out and waiting for his chance," Gaige said, clenching his jaw, "And Jade knows that he's going to keep getting closer and closer to her while taking out everyone in his way. Macon, what would you do in that situation?"

I ground my teeth because I knew where this was heading. This was the same conclusion that Antony had but maybe if I told them what I think she would do, we could come up with a solution, "I would try to lure him out away from her and away from Noah," I said, narrowing my eyes, "I would want to be bait but I would do everything I could to kill him...To take out the threat."

Gaige met my eyes, "I think she would do the same thing."

"I know she would," I said as I thought back to my conversation with Antony, "We all know she would."

I shook my head because she was so damn stubborn. She would do this no matter what I said. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

"I think it's time for her to meet Gia," Gaige said, causing me to open my eyes wide.

"What?" I asked, confused with how this could help.

"If she's going to insist on being bait, we need to make sure she doesn't think we know and we need to make sure she is safe," Gaige said, raising his brows, "Gia is a way to do that."

I swallowed because they were right. Gia didn't look like it but she was dangerous to any enemies of the Shadowmakers.

"I'll talk to Antony," I said, my heart picking up in speed. I clenched my jaw as I tried to calm myself but I knew that calm wouldn't come because I knew one wrong move could take the woman I loved from me in an instant.

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I stepped out of the office an hour later to find Antony in the kitchen by himself.

"Where's Jade?" I asked, my heart jumping in fear.

"She's upstairs feeding Noah," he said, raising a brow, "I took the bassinet upstairs for her so she could put him down to sleep afterward."

"Did anything happen while I was talking to the boys?" I asked, watching his face closely.

He winced, "I taught her how to dose someone," he said, shifting, "And I got her plan out of her. She's going to hate me all over again when she finds out that I told you. I promised her I wouldn't. As a matter of fact, I told her I would help her."

"She won't hate you. She won't know that we suspect anything. The boys already came to the same conclusion you did," I said, sighing as I pinched the bridge of my nose because I was about to tell Antony our plan and it would include his daughter, "We want her to meet Gia. We want her to become friends with her."

Antony straightened, "What are you hoping Gia will do?" He asked narrowing his eyes.

"Right now, keep an eye on her," I said, swallowing, "We have to meet with the rest of the boys, "I can't leave her with only one pair of eyes on her. Besides, she will never suspect Gia can be as dangerous as she is."

"I'll make sure they become friends," Antony said and smiled, "I think it will be good for both of them. I'll make sure she comes tomorrow."

I patted his shoulder, "Thanks, man."

Antony nodded, "Just make sure you leave Abel to teach her how to fight," he said, his lips twitching, "You know that will make it easier to get Gia to come over."

I shook my head. Gia had always had a crush on Abel, even before she had been attacked. Unfortunately, it seemed that Abel was oblivious to it.

"He'll stay," I said, smirking before leaving the room and heading up the stairs. I opened the door to our room, finding Jade staring at Noah in his basinet with worry darkening her face.

"Jade," I whispered wrapping my arms around her waist from behind, "You okay?"

She nodded but then, sighed, "I was thinking about what would happen to Noah if Calvin was able to take me from him."

"That's not going to happen," I said, tightening my embrace.

She turned to face me, still staying within my arms, "But what if it does?" She chewed on her bottom lip, "What if he is able to break through every barrier? What if he gets exactly what he wants? Where does that leave Noah?"

I reached up and caressed her cheek, "Noah will be protected," I whispered, "But you have to promise me that you will do everything in your power not to be taken...Not to quit fighting."

Her eyes met mine and she said the words that I needed to hear before she willingly became bait for a monster, "I will never give up. I will never quit fighting," she said with so much determination that it gave me courage, "I promise."

"Then, we will all be okay. Especially Noah," I said, pressing my lips against hers. As I embraced her, I sent a prayer to whatever deity was above that they would help me keep my family safe.