The Forgotten Heiress novel Chapter 78

Kate stopped and turned around to face her with a malicious smile and a glitter of hate in her eyes. "No need to say thanks."

"I wasn't."

Once again, Jessica caught her by surprise. Before anyone had any idea of what she was thinking Jessica performed a roundhouse kick that landed squarely on Kate's chest and sent her flying back and down to the ground.

Jessica quickly regained her balance and looked down at the stunned and fuming Kate. "I still think you're a bitch and next time, don't do me any favors."

Kate got up and snarled and Jessica took up her defense stance when she saw Kate's hands turning into claws.

"You'll pay for that you mutt!" Kate shrieked as she charged towards her.

Jessica braced herself but it was unnecessary.

Matt, Christian and Axel materialized in front of her as if out of nowhere and they pushed her back into Nick's arms. His warmth and scent enveloped her and she had to fight with everything she had in her to keep herself from melting into him. She became like a wild cat.

"The mighty heir," Kate spat out. "Needs protection from me?" Kate asked as her teeth began elongate.

Her taunt sent Jessica over the edge.

"I don't need anyone's protection," Jessica snarled and fought to get out of Nick's embrace. She clawed at his arms and when he picked her up to bodily move her she kicked her feet in the air. "Let me go! I'll give her a reason for plastic surgery! She needs a new nose!"

"Get out of here Kate! Matt!" Nick yelled. "Get her out of here!"

Matt moved to do Nicks bidding even as Jessica kept flinging insults at Kate.

"Let her stay! I'll do the world a favor and neuter her!"

Nick grunted when one of Jessica's uncontrolled kicks landed on his chin. "Jessica, stop!"

"I'll do her a favor," Jessica sneered, completely ignoring Nick. "I'll rearrange her face and she won't have to shift to look like a dog!"

It proved difficult for anyone within hearing distance to keep a straight face and Kate noticed it. She saw the laughter lurking in everyone's face, everyone except Nick. He only had eyes for the mutt.

Every caress, every smile, every sweet word, they had all been lies.

She couldn't take it. She couldn't do this. She couldn't look at him anymore. She shook her head and told him so as she took a step away from him.

Nick tried to stop her. "I'm not letting you go. You promised you would let me explain."

Jessica shook her head again, swallowing back down the vile that threatened to erupt from within her. "I lied, just like you." Jessica turned around to go and found herself in front of Axel and Christian. "Lied, like all of you."

With one look, she condemned them all.

Neither Axel nor Christian could look her in the eye. Filled with shame they turned their gazes to the ground.

"Damn you all." She gritted past numb lips. "Damn you all for this."

She began to walk past them when Nick snaked his arm around her waist and pulled her back against his chest. Jessica closed her eyes and forced herself to ignore the heat that his body ignited within her own. She forced herself to stand still, as stiff as a log, and ignore the comfort she found in his touch.