Hear Me When the Sun Goes Down Read Online Free PDF Page B

there?”
    “That wasn’t all about you, you know.  Part of it is his history with me.  He wanted to make me suffer , and lashing out at you was the easiest way to make that happen.”
    “Do you think so?  Because it felt like he was plenty hurt when I turned him down.”
    “I’m sure that was part of it,” Bishop smiled, picking up my hand in his.  “I happen to know what it feels like to push away the woman you care about because of your own pigheadedness.” 
    “Everything all right here?” Rob asked, popping his head in the doorway.  His eyes flicked to our joined hands, but his face gave nothing away. 
    “It’s all good.  I’m feeling much better, thanks to you.” I breathed an internal sigh of relief, pulling my hand free.  “Time to go see what trouble Jakob’s gotten himself into.”

Chapter Four
     
    “Feeling better, beloved?” Jakob asked as soon as I tracked him down in the meeting hall.  Brody and his werewolves were in attendance, with no sign of any Order members beyond those scurrying to clear out of the lower levels.  Brody stepped aside without a word as Rob and I entered, shutting the door behind us.  If he found anything demeaning about being relegated to doorman status, no sign of it showed on his face.  I had a fleeting thought to wonder where Tucker had disappeared to since he was cleared by Jakob’s arrival, but I didn’t ask.
    “Yes, thank you,” I replied in all honesty, leaving out the part where I owed that more to Rob than Winter.  “We need to talk, don’t you think?”  I gave Jakob a pointed look, head jotting to the werewolf guards, hoping he got the hint I wanted to talk to him alone.
    “Not now, petal.” Jakob motioned me forward.  “Come and sit by my side.” 
    “Well , which is it?  Do you not have time to talk to me, or do you want me to sit beside you?”  I hung in place, not sure which way to move.
    “Both,” he grinned.  “Send the delegates in.”  He waved to Brody as I took a seat at his right hand.
    “You called a meeting for now?  Don’t you think maybe we should get our stories straight first,” I said, leaning close for his ears only.
    “The better to address these few petty things aside and be on our way,” he replied, taking advantage of my proximity to kiss the side of my neck.  A tiny squeak emerged from my lips at the unexpected contact, and I jerked back upright, much to his amusement. 
    Rob stood behind us as the delegates filed in, and I wished I could see his face without having to be completely obvious about it and turning halfway around in my seat.  For the moment I focused on the delegates themselves, trying to gauge how they received me in their midst now that my secret was out.  To my disappointment, Felix wasn’t among them, and neither was Macallister James, the rep from Texas.  
    “Now then,” Jakob began when they were all seated.  “As you can plainly see, I have decided to re-enter society, such as it is these days,” he said loftily.  “I admit, I have little interest in your dealings, but I will offer my counsel as is my duty.  Not all of you are known to me, and as such, I will endeavor to sit in on your sessions whenever my schedule permits.  You have one week to submit any petitions, then I will be returning to the West with my Anja.”
    I had a thing or two to say about that, but I held my tongue, smiling blandly.  And I’d thought him domineering before… Jeez, Louise, that was barely the tip of the iceberg.
    “You may proceed,” Jakob waved them on.  “Pretend I’m not here.”  His fingers stroked at a lock of my hair, and I swatted at him absently, not enjoying being pawed at when I was supposed to be representing my House. 
    Aubrey slouched at the opposite end of the massive conference table, Jakob having appropriated the Elder’s usual chair.  “Right then, first order of business…” he began, but I cut him off before he got any farther.
    “Wait,” I