Eternal Promise: (The Cursed Series, Book 5)

on Jax. “He saved your ass, too.”
“We both know that was for you, not me,” Jax said. “I would’ve been perfectly fine if he hadn’t shown up.”
“Jaxon,” Trent warned, his tone cold.
Colt laughed. “I’m gonna stick around just to see how this whole thing plays out between you three.”
“I’ll tell you how it’s going to play out,” I said, standing and grabbing my plate. “I’m marrying Trent, he’s going to change me, and then we’re spending eternity together. End of story.”
I dumped my uneaten food into the trash, then stormed out of the kitchen. Anger pulsed through me, and my hands shook. Why did I let Jax bother me like that? I knew how he felt, so hearing him saying it wasn’t a shock. But at this point, I had hoped he was moving on and not dwelling on things that had happened, things neither of us could change.
“Hey, you okay?” Trent asked.
“Your brother drives me crazy,” I said, flexing my fingers in the hopes they’d stop trembling with anger.
“Which one?” Trent asked, and when I glared at him, he laughed. “Aren’t you always telling me not to let Jax get under my skin? You can’t let him get under yours, either.”
“I know.” I sighed and rested my forehead on Trent’s chest. “He just has this way of making me feel guilty, like I’m somehow solely responsible for everything that happened. I know I broke his heart, but how long is he going to punish me for it?”
I eased back and stared up into Trent’s eyes, and he gazed back at me with a mixture of hurt and compassion. “For eternity,” he said.
“That’s not funny.”
“It wasn’t meant to be,” he said, cradling my face in his hands. “Heightened emotions, remember? Vampires can hold grudges for a very long time.”
I frowned. “I hurt you, too, and you forgave me.”
“Because I chose to. Jax hasn’t. Not yet,” Trent said and kissed my forehead. “He will eventually. Just give him some time.”
Sighing, I nodded. More than ever, I wished things could go back to how they were before Jax ever bit me, back when we were friends and there was no lingering feelings or animosity between us.
Trent’s phone rang. He released me, grabbed his phone from his pocket, and frowned. “I’ll be right back.” And then he was gone.

CHAPTER TWO:
Trent vs Ivy
“MAY I HAVE A MOMENT?” Sean asked.
The sound of his voice startled me, and I let out a small gasp. I’d been lost in my thoughts, wondering who Trent was talking to and why he seemed upset by the call.
“Uh, yeah, of course,” I said with a smile.
Sean motioned toward the couch. “Can we sit?”
Okay, this wasn’t weird. Keeping my gaze on him, I sat on the edge of the couch. Sean sat at the other end, his body angled toward me, hands clasped in front of him.
“I feel as though I need to apologize for my sons,” he said. “Growing up, Trent was always the quiet one. For the most part, he’d mind his own business and not bother anyone. Jax was my wild child. If there was trouble, he needed to be in the middle of it.”
I laughed. That definitely sounded like Jax.
“Colt was always the instigator. He was forever doing things to cause Jax and Trent to go at each other, and clearly, that hasn’t changed,” Sean said with a small chuckle. “But after my own… indiscretions and lapses in judgment, I vowed to make sure those boys didn’t repeat my mistakes. I raised them to be respectful of everyone, especially women.”
I shifted uncomfortably on the couch. Where was he going with this? Was he going to tell me I was causing too many problems, and that I needed to leave? That he didn’t want me marrying Trent?
“I’ve made it very clear to both Trent and Jax that you are not some toy they can fight over, and I just told Colt the same thing. I love my son, but he will use anyone and anything he can if he thinks he can get away with it.” Sean pinned me with a hard stare. “Don’t let him.”
“Okay,” I said, then cleared my throat. “Thank you.”
Sean nodded. “I’m well aware of what’s happened.” He raised a brow, his unspoken words loud and clear.
Thank God he didn’t feel the need to spell it out for me. I was well aware of what happened, too, and the last thing I wanted to do was discuss it in any sort of detail with Trent’s father. Talk about awkward.
“But you’ve now made your choice, and I’ll make sure everyone here respects that,” Sean continued.
I nodded again, unsure what to say. I never expected this type of heart-to-heart with my future father-in-law, or that he’d defend me like this.
“I have never seen Trent as happy as he is when he’s with you.” Sean reached over and placed his hand on mine. “I couldn’t have chosen anyone more perfect for him.”
I smiled despite the tears now pooling in my eyes. “That means a lot. Thank you.”
Sean patted my hand, then stood. He smiled and left the room. I exhaled loudly and leaned back on the couch. That had been unexpected, but I was glad Sean had spoken to Jax and Colt. Dealing with Jax on his own was bad enough, but now that he had Colt spurring him on… things were only going to get more complicated.
A moment later, Trent returned, and he was smiling. That was a good sign.
“Everything okay?” I asked.
“It is now.” He held his hand out to me. “That was Isach. He’s going to meet us at Ivy’s in half an hour.”
My eyes widened. “Ivy’s?”
“Yes. We did agree last night that we’d talk to her, right?” he asked, genuine confusion coloring his tone.
“Yeah, but I didn’t think you meant talk to her today,” I said.
“Is there a reason we should wait?” he asked.
“Nope,” I said. I’d been incredibly upset when I thought Trent didn’t want to have a child with me; he