My Cheating Mate (Emma and Jeremy) novel Chapter 224

Chapter 224

“That’s not I wasn’t trying to hurt her

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“You tried to kill her with a knife three nights ago. Now you’re claiming you weren’t trying to hurt her when you gave extremists her schedule?” I shook my head. “Courtney, pick a story and stick with it. Either you want Grace dead or you don’t. But don’t stand here crying and pretending you’re innocent when there’s a dead body at the Trent border because of information you provided.”

She stumbled back like I’d hit her. “Connor, please. Please tinderstand. I was hurt and confused and they they preyed on that Told me what I wanted to hear. That Grace had stolen you. That the mate bond was manipulation. That I deserved justice-”

“Justice? They called revenge justice and you believed them because you wanted to.” I was done. Completely done with this conversation. “Courtney, here’s what’s going to happen. You’re going to tell Lord Castellar everything. Every detail about the Preservation Front members who contacted you. What they looked like, sounded like, asked for. Every piece of information that might help us find them before they actually hurt Grace.”

“I’ll tell you everything-” She moved toward me again, arms reaching like she was going to hug me. “Connor, I’ll help. I’ll do whatever you need-”

I moved back. Fast. Putting distance between us. “Don’t touch me.”

The hurt on her face looked genuine. Probably was genuine. But I didn’t care anymore.

“Connor-”

“No. Courtney, you don’t get to touch me. Don’t get to appeal to our past relationship. Don’t get to make this about your hurt feelings.” I kept my voice level. Controlled. “You helped terrorists target my mate. Grace–who you claimed to respect, whe texted you hoping for your healing is now being threatened with death because you gave extremists information about her routines.”

“I didn’t mean-

“I don’t care what you meant. I care what you did.” I moved toward the door. “Lord Castellan is outside. You’re going to tell him everything. And then you’re going to deal with whatever consequences Alpha Jeremy decides are appropriate for helping

terrorists.”

“Will you-

“Her voice was small now. Broken. “Will you tell Grace I’m sorry? That I really didn’t know they’d—”

“No.” The word was final. “I’m not delivering your apologies to my mate. You want Grace to know you’re sorry? Live with the fact that you can’t tell her. Live with the guilt. Maybe that’ll teach you something about making choices that have actual consequences.”

I left before she could respond. Found Lord Castellan waiting in the trees exactly where he’d said he’d be.

“Well?” he asked.

“She claims she didn’t know the Preservation Front would hurt anyone. Says they told her they just wanted dialogue.” I ran my hand through my hair. “I think she’s lying to herself. I think she knew they weren’t planning pleasant conversation and she chose not to examine it too closely because it gave her a way to hurt Grace.”

“That matches my assessment.” Lord Castellan looked toward the cabin where Courtney was visible through the window, still crying. “Connor, you handled that well. Didn’t let her manipulate you. Didn’t fall for the tears.”

“The tears are fake.” I was certain of it. “Real tears don’t turn on and off that quickly. Don’t stop the moment manipulation isn’t working. Courtney is–she’s performing grief to avoid responsibility.”

“Agreed. Which is why I’m going to be significantly less gentle when I question her about the Preservation Front details.” His expression was cold. Vampire lord, not Uncle Cas. “Go back to Grace. She needs you. I’ll extract everything useful from Courtney and then Alpha Jeremy can decide what to do with her.”

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