Broken - Her Reverse Genus (Book Two) Sample by Adell Ryan

Broken is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Copyright © 2018 by Adell Ryan All Rights Reserved. In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the publisher and the copyright owner constitute unlawful piracy and theft of the author’s intellectual property. Thank you for your support of the author’s rights. Published by Upside Down Red Umbrella First Edition: November 2018 Cover Art by Upside Down Red Umbrella Edited by G. Surley

PROLOGUE The buzz and clank of power tools and the scurrying of construction workers filled the space separating Lena Allifair from Zinna and the goons who’d brought her here. Those men — her captors — had tossed her around and kept her starved, bound, and gagged the past couple days. All the while, the construction workers turned a blind eye; not a single one tried to help or even offered a sympathetic glance in her direction. Rough brick dug into Lena’s back. Through her thin nightgown, the hard, cold concrete bruised her bottom and sent bone-aching chills into every inch of her body. Her wrists and ankles burned from the ropes’ friction, and the corners of her mouth stung from the saliva dampened cloth that kept anyone from hearing her muffled cries. Lena howled and screamed long and hard through the gag regardless, allowing the material to absorb her frustration. None of the hunger, pain, or discomfort she suffered mattered though; Lena would rather eat broken glass than cooperate. Despite the terrible things Zinna and her guys may have planned, they would not get any information about Thessaly out of her. Harris and Lena had discussed this — they’d each pledged they would die to protect their daughter. The knowledge that Harris already lived up to that promise twisted Lena’s heart, yet she refused to cry. They’d prepared in case something like this happened. *** ACROSS THE ROOM Zinna fumed, pointing a long, manicured finger into the chests of the men who’d held Lena hostage. “What the FUCK!” she lashed out. Screw refinement. “What part of no one gets harmed didn’t you idiots understand?!” With clenched fists, she paced the line of hired help while their captive sat in a corner bound and gagged, far enough removed she couldn’t hear Zinna scold the men over the din of construction. The mercenaries stood, hesitant to make eye contact with their employer. Not a single one of them cared about the victims; no, all they cared about was their own asses. Being out of Zinna’s favor meant they’d lose the job — and not a single one of them could afford to do that with what she had hanging over each of their heads. Still, the boldest of the hired crew cleared his throat, testing the boundaries of their contract. “She needs to be restrained; either that or we drug her. Without the gag, she wouldn’t stop screaming and trying to bite us. And before we tied her feet, she’d try to kick us whenever we’d get near her. Seeing as how you don’t want her to get hurt, tying her up seemed like a better choice.” Another man raised his head and spoke, emboldened by his co-worker’s confidence. “Yeah, how else do you expect us to get her to cooperate? We can’t have her acting out the entire time the construction crew is here.” That was the problem — Zinna didn’t know where else to take her. Things weren’t supposed to happen this way; Lena wasn’t supposed to be here. The plan was to scare the Allifairs into submission, get Thessaly’s whereabouts, and leave. Easy. In and out. Everything was falling apart, and Zinna teetered on the edge of control. But there’s no way in hell she would ever reveal that secret and expose any hint of weakness to these men. Zinna paced from man to man until she came to an abrupt stop in front of her first hireling. The hothead had knocked Harris out cold at the house. Then, at Lena’s resistance while under their ‘care,’ he had been the one to bind and gag her. What the hell was he thinking?! Their purpose was to pose a threat. Simple as that.

She’d picked the most intimidating men she could find in such a short time frame; the higher their score, the better. Subjects with high scores were worthless to the program. Worthless period. Pawns. Perfect for jobs like this. She wanted to fire him and put him out on his ass for being an idiot. But she couldn’t take that risk; he already knew too much. “You’re getting a raise.” Zinna lifted her chin and dared the man to question her motives. His eyebrows rose, then drew in, confused. “Cause bodily harm again, though, and I’ll make your life pure hell.” “Gentlemen, Roux is now your leader. You report to him. No one will so much as look at me anymore without going through Roux first.” Zinna spun and stormed off, the click-clack of her heels melding with the clamor of the surrounding construction. She knew that by walking away and putting that man in charge there would be no redemption for someone so willing to give innocents over to a man like him. But she did it anyway. “Roux!” she hollered over her shoulder… “Get the girl… before the NAB does.”

CHAPTER ONE “What the hell am I supposed to do? I want to get Mom back and make sure Dad is okay, but I’m not the least bit capable of doing that! I’m just a normal person, Tobias — I’m not cut out to save people and shit!” The pounding in my head increases, threatening to turn into a migraine. Bram picks up on my discomfort, lifts my hand, and massages the pressure point at the soft pad beneath my thumb. “Sorry for the brutal honesty, Thess, but you definitely won’t be rescuing anyone in the state you’re in. You need to rest.” “And eat,” Julian adds. “And kiss me again,” Jax quips, already recalling the emotionally tense kiss we’d shared when the first hint of his possible empath abilities crashed through us a few minutes ago. Tobias chokes in surprise then gives me a knowing look that says he wants the same thing Jax does even though he just recently kissed me too… along with the other things he did to help take my mind off the anguish of losing my parents. I duck my head to hide the blush forming over my cheeks. The sexual dominance Tobias displayed moments ago when he’d given me that muchneeded release — both mental and physical — left a lingering vibration humming through me. No doubt my cheeks still have a pink hue from the remnants of his performance. And now the blush is deepening even more so at the insinuation of his and Jax’s flirtations. Bram clears his throat, breaking the heady sexual tension in the room. Bram’s right; if for no other reason than to cool my insides, I do need to rest. “Join us in the tent tonight, cuore mio?” Julian pleads, his sexy Italian accent doing nothing to help lessen the ever-increasing warmth in my body. The guys have shown incredible patience these past couple days — never once scolding me for sleeping in the campground’s community room instead of the tent. Distraught over the scene we’d stumbled on at my parent’s house, and learning I am now a wanted criminal, I’d distanced myself from them — both physically and emotionally. Still, I woke up each morning in said tent anyway because Bram carried me there both nights. Rumor has it, it’s frowned upon for campers to be asleep in the community room when the park opens and other campers meander about. “Yeah, I’ll give it a shot,” I acquiesce. Tobias, Jax, and Julian look at Bram, and a smile quirks on his lips as his head gives an exasperated shake. Confused at their wordless communication, I give a polite ahem, drawing attention back toward me. “Who do you want to share the air mattress with?” Bram asks with a sigh. “Who—” Is he serious? Wait… he’s serious. “Uh. Why are you asking me this?” I gape. “Because we all want to bed ya, Darlin’,” Jax replies. Since Jax is the go-to jokester of the bunch, I assume he’s… well… joking. When I search his eyes, however, there’s no sign of his usual playfulness. Concerned with the sudden change of dynamic, I swing my head toward Bram. “So you no longer have an issue with allowing someone else to take your place at night?” “Well, when you put it like that… I change my mind,” Bram grumbles. The guys groan. “Oh, you know what I mean. No one is replacing you, Sugar, and no one is ‘bedding’ me

for goodness’ sake. Pervs.” I’m aware they are asking with an innocent intent, but still. Gracious, they’re exhausting to deal with sometimes. “You are well aware I’m still stressed and upset, right?” At that, all eyes swing to Tobias. “Hey!” Tobias throws his hands up in defense. “She’s talking again, right? I can’t perform magic. Give a guy a break!” Oh, but he kinda did… perform magic, that is. A giddy, foolish smile plasters on my face at the reminder of Tobias’s ministrations. “Tobias helped me, sure, but he’s not the cure-all,” I explain. Jax stifles an amused snort, and I throw him a sideways glance. “Helped, hmm? Based on that dirty grin on yer face a second ago, seems Tobias did a damn good job helpin’ too,” he taunts. Good job being inconspicuous, Thessaly. Bram and Julian share a look, and I am reminded that Bram just confessed he can pick up on my charged emotions. Charged. Oh crap. What emotions does that include exactly? With a silent glare, I ask Bram the specific question niggling at me. Did you feel what happened between Tobias and me? Please say no. “Not me,” Bram is quick to reply, accurately reading my inquisitive stare. “Julian did though.” Well, dang it… I should've known. “You compartmentalized that, I assume, Julian?” Please say yes. “Yes, cuore mio. It’s a little uncomfortable getting turned on when guys are the only bodies nearby. I learned how to stamp that one down quick.” “So, Bram? You can’t sense that emotion?” This is so weird. “No, I can’t,” Bram divulges. Oh, thank goodness. Okay, back on the topic of sleeping arrangements — who to pick? Bram sleeps with me every night; Tobias and I already had a special moment together; Jax? Well, he’s too darn dangerous. I’d do something stupid with him by my side, and Julian would feel it. That leaves Julian. The decision is easy; Julian’s the safest bet to share the air mattress with. “I pick Julian,” I announce. At the mention of his name, a full grin spreads over Julian’s gorgeous, olive-complected face. “Don’t get any ideas, Julian.” Or do. Or don’t. Heck, I don’t know. “Non ti preoccupare. Don’t worry. I’ll be a gentleman.” “Yeah, that’s what worries me.” A pulse beats between my legs. What’s that term Julian said? He stamped it down? Stamp. Stamp. Bram had been massaging my hand throughout the conversation. At the declaration of my chosen “bedmate” he stopped. The brief pause wasn’t intentional, but the gesture spoke volumes. A series of small incidents involving Bram over the past week flick through my thoughts — our unexpected kiss, the fleeting display of jealousy at Robbie’s bar, his devotion to sleep by my side every night, and now this evident hesitancy to “let” one of the guys share the air mattress with me. Maybe there’s truth in what I overheard Jax say to Julian that night outside the cottage. “Bram’s in love with her.” A sense of uncertainty hit me back then… but, now? Now I can't help but wonder if it is true. And… how do I feel? Do I love Bram… in that way? A warm fuzzy sensation plants in my chest and spreads through my body like a wildfire at

the thought. Holy crap. I do love Bram in that way. Wait. What the hell is wrong with me? I have strong feelings for Julian — very strong. I shouldn't brush those aside! And what about the other guys? I can’t ignore what's brewing with them either. The stress and confusion causes my free hand to raise on impulse, and I massage firm, comforting circles into my temple. “What’s wrong?” Bram’s brows draw in. “Oh. Um… just thinking about this mess we’re in, and how in the world we will help my parents.” Exasperated, I blow out a raspberry. “Overwhelmed doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel.” It isn’t a lie, just not the entire truth. Besides, I should be thinking about my parents, not pining over four guys. Tobias places a new water bottle in front of me while removing the empty one. “As much as we’d love to jump on the opportunity to help your parents, you have at least two days of recovery. You really pulled a number on your body. Plus, we need to be smart and devise a good plan. Get some rest tonight. Tomorrow we’ll go back to Robbie’s and regroup.” A less than attractive yawn stretches over my face, and I drop the hand at my temple to cover my mouth in apology. At the evidence of my growing exhaustion, the guys stand and begin gathering everything. WHEN I START to pull away from Bram’s massage, his grip tightens. “Stay here with me for a few?” he requests as he lifts my hand to pepper kisses along my knuckles. Butterflies awaken in my stomach, and I nod. At my consent, he pulls me toward him and wedges me between his legs. As is typical between us, I lean comfortably against his chest, and he props his chin on my head. The guys exit, leaving Bram and me alone in the afterglow of the dying fire. Time passes in silence. Bram’s earthy smell encases me, and the warmth of his breath flitting through my hair lulls me into a relaxed daze. “The list of reasons for you to be upset with me continues to grow,” Bram mumbles, breaking the silence. “Mmm hmm.” Sleepiness answers in my stead, but I blink to rouse myself then continue. “True, but I never stay frustrated with you though. You’re my rock — my home. I have no doubts that your intentions, however questionable at times, are nothing but good.” “Damn, Thess, I love your heart… and your logic.” A giggle escapes me, and he wraps his arms around my shoulders, squeezing tight. “Frustrated with me or not, I have only one regret.” He dips his head and nuzzles into my neck. As though a switch flipped, a rush of nervous energy creeps into my chest. My heart quavers in response. “Do you feel that?” Bram asks in a hushed tone, his warm breath grazing my skin. “Yeah. Are you okay?” Instinct to ease his nervousness encourages me to press deeper into his embrace. “I haven’t felt you like that in a long time.” Aside from the energies I picked up from him when I was abducted and that brief sting of jealousy at Robbie’s bar, it’s been a few years since Bram has shared his emotions with me in that way. “That’s where my regret lies; I hate that I haven’t opened up or been vulnerable with you. For years I’ve put this off, waiting for the perfect time. The week’s events have proven that now is always better than never.” Bram’s nervous energy spikes, but he continues, “Thess, I’m in love

with you. Always have been, and always will be.” Tears sting my eyes. “I can tell you’re interested in Julian and attracted to Jax. Hell, I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if Tobias has caught your attentions also. Anyway, the point is, I’m not asking you to choose. But, will you give us a chance too? Give me a chance to be more than a best friend?” A tear falls along my nose, and I wipe it away with the back of my hand. Words fail me for a moment, so I respond with a confident nod against his chest. “I’d like that,” I manage with a quiet voice after a few seconds of silence. “Really?” Bram’s deep, husky voice lets out an unnatural squeak, and he clears his throat to remedy the awkward sound. The surprise and insecurity of his question sends a prickle of heat to the tips of my ears. “Yes, really.” A smile accompanies my response. “No more secrets though, right?” “Promise.” Because I’m hopeless with romance, I turn to humor to lighten the seriousness of the moment. “Does this mean you’re opposed to Julian sleeping with me tonight?” “No.” A laugh rumbles through him. “I’ve had ten years with you; the guys deserve a chance to get to know you like I do.” “By sleeping with me?” I can’t help the grin that ruins my carefully kept countenance. “Yeah, it’s the best thing ever,” he whispers. “I admit I’ll be a little jealous though.” His finger traces my ear, and he drags his lips along my neck then nips the sensitive dip at my clavicle. The small, intimate action is odd at first since Bram and I have been friends for so long, but it feels wonderful and organic too. A pleasant warmth blossoms in my heart at the thought of bringing our friendship to another level. Comfortable silence comes natural for us, so we fall into it again with ease. The fire’s embers are nothing more than a dull glow beneath the ash now, shrouding the room in a shadowy darkness. I breathe in the charred, woodsy scent of the smoke-filled room and wiggle deeper into Bram’s embrace. “Mmm.” A low moan sounds behind me and penetrates the silence. “Wiggle back any further, and I’ll be tempted to progress this new relationship much faster. Not that I’m not already tempted to do so.” “So soon?” I joke, as if we hadn’t known each other for almost half our lives. Even so, Bram’s forwardness causes me to blush, mimicking the experience a girl has when talking to a cute boy for the first time. “Soon?” he replies with an astonished gasp. “Thess, I’ve wanted to…” A groan travels through him. The sexy, primal sound and the vibration of it along my back ignites sparks of desire in me. Oh, god. The timing is horrible. Why! Why now? We’ve waited this long, and I want to enjoy it… not be filled with worry and guilt because of the crazy things going on. “Bram,” I squeak. Dammit those sounds! “You were right earlier, I need sleep.” He senses my insecurity and squeezes tighter. “Thess, I love you. Everything about you. If you aren’t ready, it’s okay. That will not change how I feel. Yeah, life’s shitty right now, but that makes me want to be with you even more. I can’t stand seeing you upset. None of us can. If you don’t let me help make you happy in between the crazy stuff, let one of the other guys. You deserve happiness. Don’t push us away.” His hand runs through my hair, an action I’m familiar and secure with. “Trust me, it’s not that I’m not ready, Bram. I’m just—”

“… afraid to build relationships and be happy when bad things are happening?” “Yeah.” Bram’s ability to understand me is one of the many qualities I love about our friendship. “Don’t be. We don’t know what’s coming, or how bad things will get. But I do know I will enjoy you — us — during it all, if you’ll have me. And I’m not a fool; there’s something meant to be between you and the other guys too. Don’t ignore that — you’ll break their hearts if you do. They’re good guys.” He’s right — we can do both. We can plan, work, hide, and kick ass when needed, but during the downtimes, we’ll leave our troubles at the doorstep. “Okay, I’ll try. But I feel like it’s not fair to my parents — enjoying life while they’re suffering because of me — so it’ll take some effort to turn off the worry.” “When something can be done, none of us will sit on our hands. But when the ball is not in our court, there’s no sense in dwelling on what we can’t control.” A ragged breath escapes me, and I nod in agreement. “Turn around,” he commands. I do as requested, tucking my legs under me and facing him. Bram cups my cheeks, his touch warm and gentle. He rests his forehead against mine, closes his eyes, and takes a deep breath. “‘Do what feels right,’” he murmurs. “For years you’d say that. I’d date a girl and would fumble and be awkward with all the serious stuff. ‘Just do what feels right’ you’d always say. But it didn’t work. I now understand why though; they didn’t feel right. You do. This feels more right than anything else ever has in my life.” His full lips brush across mine before pressing lightly against them. “Just do what feels right, Thess,” he whispers against my mouth. “I am.” Then he closes in and kisses me again, this time harder and longer. Bram does feel right. Deep down I always knew he would, no matter how hard I resisted starting a more intimate relationship with him. Until now. Our mouths meld effortlessly and our bodies act in kind, melting against each other. “Alright…” He pulls away with a breathy sigh and kisses the tip of my nose. “Sleep. Let’s go catch that elusive bastard.” Bram stands, pulls me up, and wraps his arm around my shoulder, leading me out the door. INSIDE THE TENT, Tobias and Jax are readying the bed rolls, and Julian has the covers drawn back on the mattress and a lantern lit at each side. Bram turns on the dramatics, rolling his eyes at Julian and mumbling, “Show-off.” A laugh escapes me as I narrow a glare at Julian and the clear display of romance. “‘Just do what feels right,’ hmm?” I dredge up Bram’s sweet speech from moments ago and throw it back at him in a hushed voice out of the corner of my mouth. “About that… is it too late to renege?” A smile plays at his lips, but he kisses the top of my head, bows, and waves toward Julian. Jax lets out an amused snicker, overhearing the repartee. As I step forward to join Julian, Jax approaches. “The weather report promises a freeze tonight. Julian and I thought it’d be a good idea if ya sleep between us. More body heat, ya know? Wouldn’t want ya to get cold, Darlin’.” My poor heart thrums in a panic, and I shoot a worried glance toward Julian. Sleep… I need sleep. There’s no way that would be had if I am wedged between these two.

“Don’t listen to him. Weather report said mid 40s,” Tobias corrects. “One body should get the job done just fine.” The tent is dim, but the fluster must be visible on my face regardless because Julian steps in to save me. “Come.” Come? Oh, god… my mind totally went there. My steps falter, and Julian raises a brow. Since it’s obvious I need assistance, he closes the gap, takes me by the hand, and walks us over to the mattress. Then he grabs my waist with one hand and snakes the other hand to my neck, pressing me against him. “I have a feeling I’m the only one that hasn’t gotten a kiss tonight, cuore mio.” He wraps my hair into his fingers. “And since I’m required to be a gentleman, I’m stealing a kiss now… before you’re laying beside me, and I can’t keep it that simple. Plus, I’ve missed you.” There’s no initiative peck. No peppering of kisses. The kiss is urgent and steamy — a result of the time spent away from him and the emotional torture he went through waiting for me to come around. His tongue wastes no time pushing through my lips and lacing with my own, and his fingers tug my hair, deepening his control over my mouth. With the other guys only feet away, I don’t reciprocate the kiss at first. Instead, I peek beyond him to gauge their reactions. They’re observant, yet I get the impression they aren’t paying attention to the kiss. Rather, they are looking for my reaction as if they knew I’d seek approval. One-by-one each gives me a consenting smile before averting their eyes. Bram’s gaze lingers the longest though. “Let him make you happy,” he mouths before turning his attention on something else. Their approval is all I need. I twine my hands behind Julian’s neck and accept the challenge of his kiss — my tongue battling for dominance. The sudden flip in acceptance spurs him on, and he emits a deep, throaty groan before snaking his hand up my shirt. The back of my legs bump the air mattress, and we fall onto the bed with a bounce. He slows our kiss, reverting to the sweet, romantic Julian I remember. Then he pushes me toward the pillow with his hips, using his arm to lift and guide me. As soon as I’m situated, he slings the covers over and places a chaste kiss on my forehead. His green eyes capture mine before he dims the lantern and rolls away to take residence on the other side of the bed. With a quick assessment of the tent, I notice that Bram, Jax, and Tobias are all tucked into their respective sleeping areas. Apparently, Julian and I kissed long enough to give the other guys time to get set up and comfy. Julian slides under the covers, turns off the other lantern, then drapes his arm over my stomach and pulls me into him, spooning my back against his chest. Or, his need against my butt. Either way of envisioning it works. “Good night, cuore mio,” he whispers against my neck, still catching his breath a bit from our kiss. Goosebumps work a path down that side of my body, and I shiver against him, procuring a grunt from him in return. “Good night, Julian,” I whisper back, covering the hand he has resting against my stomach with my own.

CHAPTER TWO Morning comes much too soon. Someone is shuffling around; the quiet clank and rustle of supplies being packed wakes me. When I peek through the blur of sleepiness, Julian’s nose is mere inches from mine. Blackened by the faint twilight, loose curls frame his face and form a messy halo over the pillow. The man is magnificent. Pretty in a sexy way, not effeminate, with a flawless, olive complexion, an angled jawline, and stubble. Before I realize what I’m doing, my hand pulls free from the warmth of the covers and pushes the curls from his face. In the wee hours of the morning, when our minds and bodies are in that sensitive in-between stage, things happen, and our bodies sometimes betray logic. The motion wakes him and his green eyes open. Without thought, he grabs my hand and brushes his lips along the inside of my wrist. A prickle of anticipation trickles along my arm following the heat of his mouth, and the urge to reach down and give him a proper ‘good morning’ stirs me into action. With a gentle twist, I wrest my hand free, palm his chest, and inch it downward. All the while keeping my heated eyes steady on his. Under the covers our combined body heat is a stark contrast to the frigid morning air chilling our faces. Warmth meets my fingertips when I reach his boxers and slide a finger under the material. My eyes search his while I tickle and tease his skin from hip to hip. Lust and yearning trickle through our empath bond, and his eyes show a hint of surprise. Surprise soon changes to hunger, and his eyes become hooded. The mingling of our desire makes my heart beat faster and my breaths shallow and quicken. My other fingers join the first, and I bury my hand, teasing the trail of hair along the way. A slick wetness transfers from his thigh to my wrist as I drag a finger up the length of his shaft. Eager to explore his size, I wrap around him and give one slow pump. A quiet grunt of approval emboldens me, and I pump once, twice more before slipping my hand under and tending to the rest of him. The light squeezes of my palm and tickle of my fingers along the tender spot beneath causes his body to quiver and tense. With my eyes still commanding his, I move up again, palm his tip, and spread the warm fluids down and around the girth of him. Caught up in my steady strokes, his teeth sink hard into his lip. A deep growl vibrates through the captured lip, and he clutches me, digging his fingers into my hip. The bite of pain adds a pulse of need to the building heat between my legs. “Shhhh,” I purr, capturing his mouth and freeing his lip with my tongue, to muffle his throaty grunts and growls of pleasure. Ever the gentleman, he tries to return my generosity with the slow descent of his fingers, but each rhythmic slide of my fist and flick of my tongue relinquishes his control. When I stroke, he pauses, moaning into our kiss… over and over again. The control I have over him invigorates and empowers me, and while I’d enjoy any contact he would give, his lack of control — his helplessness from my touch — is everything I want and need right now. After an added stroke, I caress the top and relubricate before falling into another steady up and down pattern; this time using a firmer grasp, I quicken the pace with each smooth stroke. The length of him trembles and extends, the swell and throb increasing as his desire builds. “Mi ecciti così tanto. You feel incredible,” he whispers, then kisses me again. He tugs my lip into his mouth, sucking and panting, while his hips work my hand and he grinds through my

grip. Our tongues clash and battle as he thrusts to find the perfect momentum for release. I pull my other hand free from under my body and run it up his inner thigh to finish the exploration I’d started earlier. The upward draw and tightening of his balls tells me I hit the the right spot. With the taunt and play of my fingers along the line of nerves below, and the added twist of my working wrist, he loses all reserve and comes undone. A tremor moves through him, and he shudders as his release spills in hot spurts over my knuckles and into his boxers with each final drive. The tremble slows, and he releases our kiss and opens his eyes. A mirth-filled grin plays on my lips as I revel in the fact that I just made him get off in his shorts. “Mmm, you made a mess, cuore mio.” “Guess we’d better figure out a way to rectify that.” The smile on my face spreads, and he chuckles. A roll of toilet paper lands on the mattress between us, unraveling with a bounce. Julian’s eyes peer over my head and his lips quirk. “Hmm, let me guess. Jax?” “Yep.” “If you were quieter, he’d have been clueless.” Heat flares in my cheeks, and my lashes lower as I accuse him for not moderating his throaty, sex-filled noises. “If you weren’t so good at hand jobs, I wouldn’t have had such trouble.” The terminology makes me giggle. “Hand job. Sounds like we’re teenagers.” “Well, I did just bust one in my shorts like a damn teenager.” He laughs, and the delight shows over his entire face. “Thank you. Sei incredibile. You’re incredible.” His gaze catches on my lips, tracing their shape. “I will get you alone eventually and return the favor.” My nerves tingle at the promise. AFRAID TO SPREAD the sticky mess, I stay still as Julian removes a hand from the covers, dragging his fingers lightly along my arm on the way out. In a practiced, one-handed way, he loops the toilet paper into a wad and yanks it free from the roll. Considerate of the temperature difference, he’s careful to not allow much space to gape as he drags his arm back under the blanket. He tends to my hand first, wiping between each finger and over my palm before folding the wad and collecting as much of the mess around himself as possible, considering the circumstances. A soft growl resonates low in his throat, and he presses his lips against mine once more. “Can I wake up with you every day? Please say yes.” “Quit bein’ selfish, and get your ass outta bed!” Jax’s impeccable timing strikes again, and he throws Julian a pair of pants and me a pair of… my fuzzy pajama pants! With everything that’s happened — my father’s injuries, my mother’s kidnapping, and discovering I’m now a ‘fugitive’ — I’d forgotten Jax had collected some of my clothes when we went to my parents’ house. I’d been cycling through a pair of grey jersey shorts, one pair of jeans, a boyfriend tee, and a few borrowed articles of clothing for the past week. “Oh my gosh! Thanks, Jax!” A girlie squeal further exaggerates my pleasure as I turn to face him. Julian groans and shoots Jax a glare before rolling over and leaving the comfort and warmth of our bed, clothing himself in the process. “My pleasure, Darlin’.” He tips an invisible hat. “We’ve got three big garbage bags full. I dragged just the one out last night after you agreed to stay in the tent. The other two are buried pretty deep in the trunk, so hopefully you can find something in this one.” He nudges the big, black bag with his foot.

Excitement and relief flood me. With a sudden disregard to the cold, I wiggle out of my jersey shorts, pull on my pajama pants, then practically fall off the mattress as I crawl toward my clothes. My clothes! A quick swipe through the bag tells me I’m stuck with the ballet flats I’d started with and am still limited on my clothing options. But, thrilled regardless, and eager to get dressed, I shrug off the lack of choices and grab underwear, a bra, and the first pair of jeans and shirt my hand comes into contact with. I nestle the clothes under my arm and stand to leave, but think twice about it and rush up to Jax, tilting my head and meeting his cheek with a thankful peck. As I exit the tent, out of the edges of my vision, I swear I notice a far-off, dazed look in his eyes and the reverent rubbing of the spot where I’d kissed his cheek. Pink pricks the tops of my ears, and my heart flips at the thought that maybe there’s more to our constant bantering and physical attraction. A SURGE OF frigid wind assaults me, snapping me out of my early-morning, lust-filled haze. In a rush, painful memories of the past few days return. The recent intimate moments with each guy ride me hard with guilt. At the same time, I wish I could crawl back into bed and stay there, distracted, to keep those memories at bay. Truth is, I’ve enjoyed their company and getting to know them over the past week — dire circumstances or not. If the situation was a normal one, I wonder how much more enjoyable spending time with them would be. Right now, I’d give anything for that opportunity. Either way, I’m still glad Tobias introduced us all, though I never thought I’d admit that. Not with the rocky start we’d had. By the time my introspection fades, I find myself face-to-face with my reflection in the bathroom mirror. Wow, I look horrible. Tobias wasn’t kidding — I really did a number on my body. The evidence is written all over my blanched face, dry lips, and puffy eyes. I lean forward and tentatively pull down the lower eyelid of one eye to get a better look — red-rimmed and bloodshot. Both are proof I’d spent too little time sleeping and too much time crying these past few days. As I had done every night since we arrived, I saunter over to a shower stall, place my new clothes on the bench, and undress. Only then do I realize I’d left my toiletries and a towel in the tent. With an irritated puff, I blow away several unruly strands of hair from my face and turn on the water anyway. The water warms as I sprint to the sink, fill my hands with a few squirts of soap, and sprint back. “THESS?” Bram’s voice echoes off the walls. “Over here!” The squeak of shoes against the tiled floor warn of his approach before he slides a toiletryfilled hand through the crack of the curtain and sets them on the bench beside my clothes. “We were packing and saw these. Figured you’d want them.” “Oh, thank you!” I had already used the hand soap to wash my hair but didn’t collect enough for the rest of my body, so this will prevent me from having to make a mad, naked dash back to the sink for more. I lean my head back into the stream of water, close my eyes, and rinse the lathered soap from my hair, taking my time. In no rush to finish and be met with the cold winter air, I relish in the comfort a hot shower provides. “Plus,” Bram whispers in my ear, “I like how this new soap smells on you.” A startled gasp escapes me, and my eyes shoot open. “Holy shit, Bram!” His body is inches from mine, the fine over-spray from the shower dampening his clothes. “Since when is it okay for you to barge in while I’m showering?” Much to my dismay, the quick rise and fall of my startled

breaths delivers the question as an airy pant instead. Dryness makes my mouth tacky, and I swallow hard. Despite being friends for so long, he’s never seen me naked. Every nerve in my body tingles from… Nervousness? Excitement? Anticipation? Good lord, I have no idea how I’m supposed to feel! Those few inches between us lessen, and he brushes against me. The sensitive peaks of my nipples harden in response to the contact. Well, there you have it then — excitement it is. He bends his head and meets my lips with a light kiss while placing the orange and coconut scented bar of soap in my hand. “Since I officially became your boyfriend.” He smiles, turns, and leaves me standing here wet and speechless. I straighten, lift my chin, and mutter to myself, “Wet from the shower… for the record.” Sure. Keep telling yourself that, Thess. Oh jeez, I really do need to get some food in my system. I’m talking to myself like a crazy person. Though in my defense, it’s their fault. They are making me crazy. The guys… not the voices… for the record. Too worked up from that unexpected encounter with Bram, I finish my shower quicker than I’d planned. Since I still don’t have a towel, I improvise and use the shirt I slept in. A wave of giddiness hits me as I pull on my black jeans and black cami. Given the option to choose from my entire wardrobe, I wouldn’t have picked these two items, but I’m thrilled to have my own clothes nonetheless. Since all the clothes in my closet back home were organized by color, the bag Jax brought into the tent had been filled with the blacks and probably the greys and whites depending on how much he was able to stuff in there. The cami’s thin straps won’t do in this weather, so I resolve to borrow a sweater or jacket until I can dig out my own. The guys are used to it by now anyway. WHEN I RETURN to the campsite, almost everything — including the massive, family-sized tent — is cleared and packed away in Betty, my pint-sized car. How they’ve managed to stuff all our belongings and gear inside the trunk is mind-boggling. Sure, the trunk’s top is being held down with a bungee cord, but I’m still impressed. The guys are sitting around a rekindled campfire, and Julian is crouched low near the flames peeking into a cast-iron pot that sits atop the fire pit’s metal grate. Because it’d be too easy to slip in unnoticed, four heads turn toward me as I approach. The concerned way Tobias searches my face reminds me of how rundown I look. Bram appears unfazed by my lackluster appearance; his eyes are focused much lower, undressing what I so eagerly put on. So much for that. His heated assessment of what’s underneath my clothes doesn’t take long though, and his eyes catch on my chilled, bare arms. “Who wants to be the victim this time?” Bram quips, calling me toward him with the curve of his finger. “Come here and sit with me.” I’d done my fair share of clothes borrowing over the past week — Bram’s henley, Tobias’s hoodie, Julian’s dress shirt, and Jax’s muscle tee. It’s become a running joke between the guys. I sit on Bram and snuggle close to absorb as much warmth as possible. “Julian’s bad-boy jacket will match with your all-black theme,” Jax suggests. He stands, walks to the car, and grabs Julian’s jacket from the backseat. Julian groans in mock suffering but throws me an adorable, dimpled smile and bounces his brows. Jax tosses me the black leather jacket in question. Julian was wearing this jacket when we first met. A rainstorm had left him dripping wet, his curls tightened into ringlets. He’d stripped this jacket off while shaking off the remnants of rain from his hair. The scene was very movie-like

except for the part where I was caught by surprise and naked from the waist down. Since Julian is the smallest of the guys, the jacket is only slightly too big for me. I stand and hold out my arms, peering down. “Hey, I look kinda awesome in my all-black garb and Julian’s leather jacket,” I point out, doing a quick turn to show my outfit off before returning to Bram’s lap. “All I need now is some kick-ass black boots.” These poor ballet flats have seen better days. They just aren’t made for the constant abuse they’ve been through this week. “Breakfast is done,” Julian announces, pulling the pot from the fire and stepping away to drain the water. He walks to a nearby spigot and cracks and peels boiled eggs under a trickle of running water. When he’s finished, he puts them all back into the pot and walks to me to begin the process of divvying out the food. I gladly take one, tossing it back and forth between my palms as it cools down. Each guy takes turns politely refusing their proffered egg. I start to peck away at my own egg as I watch this odd display in utter confusion. Bram notices my bewilderment, buries his face in my hair, and chuckles. “None of us are eating until you’ve had your fill, Thess. Might as well get it over with.” The gesture is so sweet, I decide not to challenge them… this time. Instead, I put my pride aside, devour my egg, then request not one but two more. The little nibbles I ate from Tobias’s offerings last night must have been just enough to help restore my appetite, because before those three eggs, I was famished. After I finish, I walk to the spigot and drink my fill of the ice cold well water. “Thank you.” I join them around the fire again and stare into the flames. “Sorry I put you guys through all that.” “We’re just glad to see you moving around and interacting with us.” Tobias leans forward in the chair, rests his elbows on his knees, and studies me, tilting his head to the side. “Wow, you look really good.” Crimson pools in my my cheeks. “No. Not like that. I mean, yeah, you look good like that too. Shit.” He pushes one of his massive paws through his blond hair. The guys all laugh, and Jax, who is sitting beside him, nudges Tobias’s shoulder playfully. “What I meant was… uh… in addition to the fact that you look good like that is that the color is already back in your face, and your eyes aren’t red anymore.” Curiosity gets the better of me, and I move over to Betty so I can take a glance at myself in the side mirror. Tobias wasn’t kidding — I look as good as new. “Is that normal? You said my body was about to go into the autophagy stage when we talked about it last night.” “Definitely not. Well, I mean, it doesn’t take much food to bring the autophagy to an abrupt halt. The food you ate last night probably sufficiently took care of that. But, not twenty minutes ago your eyes were bloodshot, your lips dry, and you were sickly pale. Which, mind you, aren’t necessarily all symptoms of autophagy — most are likely from dehydration. Still, though… to bounce back that fast, within minutes? No, that’s not normal.” The science nerd in Tobias does a slow scan of my body from head to toe, calculating and considering. His eyes drop back down and pause at my legs. “How’s your knee?” How is my knee? When the guys stole me from Bram’s apartment and hid me away in that abandoned medical facility, I had tried to escape and scraped my knee up pretty bad in the process. “Um, I haven’t paid it much mind, to be honest. Why?” “Can you show me?” “Sure.” I shrug and pull my pant leg up. Tobias and I both peer at my knee, our eyebrows drawing in at the discovery of unblemished skin. Jax, Julian, and Bram form a semi-circle around us to investigate our open-mouthed

silence. “There’s nothing there. Not even a pink area indicating the wound has gone into the maturation phase.” Tobias’s speech quickens as it tends to do when he finds something intriguing. To further prove the point, he touches the still-healing, pink scar under his right eye from the lab break-in. “Damn, Darlin’! You can read minds and heal yourself. Are ya sure you’re not a fairy or somethin’?” Jax raises a cocky brow in my direction. “Very funny. And, I can’t read minds.” I roll my eyes and cross my arms over my chest. “I feel emotions. It’s worlds different. Oh, and everyone’s body can heal a simple wound.” “Not that fast.” Tobias shakes his head in disbelief, and points to his still fading scar; we’d gotten them only a couple days apart. “I need to process this for a while. The park opens soon, so let’s hurry and finish loading up the last few things and get out of here. I’ll drive.”

CHAPTER THREE “What are the chances this is the last time we’ll be stuck in a car together for hours on end?” I whine. Don’t get me wrong — the more we’re together, the more I enjoy their company. But, this traveling mess is getting a bit tiring, to say the least. “Sure wish I had an answer to give,” Tobias responds from behind the wheel. I pull off Julian’s jacket, placing it on the console between the front seats, then arch my back to stretch out the kinks I've accumulated these past three hours. Bram and Jax respond to my discomfort, both placing a hand on my back. Their eyes find each other and a silent battle wages. Jax and Bram get along well enough, but out of all the guys, they had the roughest beginning. Jax isn’t the gentle type and got a little carried away when they were sedating me at Bram’s apartment. Bram, my dedicated protector, made a statement as to how he felt about Jax’s unconventional methods by driving his fist into Jax’s face. By now I’d forgiven Jax. Heck, I’d forgiven all of them. Maybe I shouldn’t have so soon — maybe that makes me a little crazy — but I don’t hold grudges for long. Life’s too short and all that. None of the guys have given me any reasons to stay angry. Even Bram and his ever constant pissing me off this past week — playing a role in my abduction and stripping me from my dying father’s side, among other things — haven't caused me to harbor any anger. Fortunately for them, I have a clement disposition. Tack on my empath nature, and forgiveness comes extra easy. Staying mad is hard when you can literally feel a person means well. This doesn’t make me naive, however. If someone unequivocally wrongs me or those I love without valid reason and recompense, I’m passionately loyal and revenge will be had. Zinna Roth, for example — I’m looking forward to coming face-to-face with that bitch. Unable to handle the combination of my rekindled hate for Zinna and Bram and Jax’s tense staredown, I reach for Jax’s hand on my left, and Bram’s hand on my right. As I twine my fingers with theirs and place both hands comfortably in my lap, the action pulls their attention away from each other and back toward me. Bram squeezes my hand, asserting ownership. Jax, always one to make a different type of statement, moves my hand to his lap. I give him a quick glance, and the look on his face — a mixture of frustration and yearning — is pure torture. Quite a lot had passed between us last night during his… emotional attack?… and the resulting kiss. Not sure what to call it or what caused it, but Jax and I need to talk soon and figure out what the heck is going on. If only we weren’t stuck in this car. Ugh. Should I hug him? Bram and Julian explained last night that physical contact helped when they were struggling with… whatever is happening among us. A random hug seems ridiculous though. Jax watches as I struggle with my thoughts while I gnaw on the inside of my cheek. For a second, I consider flipping my empath switch to see what vibe he’s giving, but because last night was so dramatic, I hesitate. Yeah… that’s a firm no for now. Our eyes meet, and I come to a decision. Of the guys, Jax is the only one who hasn’t gotten a real kiss from me. Not that I’m dedicated to taking turns and sharing or anything, but if his inner conflict is because of a lack of fairness, I can easily remedy that. Or, if it's like what Bram and

Julian explained last night, his emotions are charged, and he needs me. The only problem is that I feel hyper-aware of Tobias, Julian, and Bram because they are in such close proximity. If I just up and kiss Jax, no doubt it’ll surprise the others and possibly make them uncomfortable. Jeez this is complicated! Okay… I’ll tell them first. Yes. Before I can change my mind, the words flow free and fast, “I’m going to kiss Jax.” Tobias’s eyes widen in the mirror. Bram and Julian stay quiet. Jax’s fingers, still laced with mine, tighten. Silence shrouds the vehicle. I’d made the statement but now feel utterly foolish. Tobias taps the steering wheel in thought and, without warning, steers off the road. “Who needs to get out for a bit?” he announces, more than asks. “Hell, I sure do. Bram, Julian… care to join me? Plus we need to charge the car anyway.” “You bet, Boss,” Julian returns. Bram chuckles and lets go of my hand. The three are out of the car before I can process what’s happening. Turning to Jax, I blow a nervous puff before speaking. “I hope you don—” Jax grabs my head and crashes his mouth to mine, his free hand unfastening my seatbelt. He lays me down, our bodies filling the car’s width, and kisses me without restraint. The kisses alternate slow and tasting to hard and demanding, flooding my senses with desire. With each swoop of his tongue, my body melts, yielding to the fiery passion of his kiss. I trail my fingers under the front of his shirt and trace the grooves and ridges of his finely carved physique. Want and need cloud my mind as his hand dips to the small of my back and slides into my jeans, cupping my ass and lifting me to meet his hips. My legs wrap around him, and I squeeze my thighs to draw him in closer. The hard bulge of his lust presses against me, and my back arches and hips raise higher to feel him more fully. The movement rubs his length between my legs just right, and I buck against him. Even through layers of clothing, the friction ignites throbs of pleasure through my entire body. My consistent whimpering with each graze drives Jax into a slow and steady motion of rubbing and teasing. “Jax,” I pant. He stills, a groan vibrating from his chest. “Oh god, please don’t stop,” I whine, rolling my hips along his length. “If you keep talkin’ with that sex-filled voice, I’m bound to take you right here. Stoppin’ won’t be an option.” His words drip with heat. “Isn’t… that… what… you’re… about… to… do… anyway?” Every word escapes between each breathy pant. “No, Darlin’,” he drawls low. “I intend on making you come just like this.” His breath is hot against my ear, sending chills down my spine. I dig my nails into his shoulders and drag them down his straining muscles, securing a throaty grunt in response. Each smooth rock of his hips brings me closer and closer to the edge of release. “Jax,” I breathe, every sensitive nerve he’s brushing against tight and aching. Holy shit. “Mmmm?” Bright blue eyes open and focus on mine with a burning intensity. His hand clenches my bare ass, fingers spreading and torturing me with each grasp and lift in time with the movement of his hips. Jax’s grinding amps up, his eyes commanding me to let go. When his lips press hard against

mine once more and his tongue slips inside, I break. Waves of release crash over me, and I shatter against him, crying out his name. WHAT THE HECK just happened? Oh… my… gosh… we just… “You… you just dry humped me!” A hysterical laugh breaks free. “Hell yeah I did.” Jax shares my amusement and laughs too, burying his face into my neck. “I don’t care how it happens; I’ll do anythin’ to ya that results in that sort of response.” Giddy laughter still trickling out of me, I tilt my head back and notice the car’s windows are filmed with steamy condensation. My alabaster skin flushes from the tips of my ears to my chest. “Oh, jeez.” The laughter comes to an abrupt halt, and I cover the blush with my hands. Jax lifts my hands and kisses each palm as he pulls away, returning to a normal sitting position. “Don’t be embarrassed, Darlin’. This is on me, and they’ll know that.” “Well, I didn’t exactly stop you.” I push up and sit beside him. “Thank god for that,” he mumbles. Intimate moments tend to throw any attempt at managing my empath sensors out the window, so the nervousness Jax battles with now seeps into my chest. “Last night I promised to talk to you privately at some point about what happened in the community room between us. Do you want to talk?” I offer. “Hell… I don’t know.” The way Jax and I connected last night was much different than the emotional exchanges I’ve had with Julian and Bram. Somehow I conveyed not only an emotion… but a thought. A thought that was intrinsically formed, not consciously: I will never leave you. “Can I ask you a couple questions before the guys return and we run out of alone time?” I inquire. “Sure, give it a shot.” “Can you feel me… sorta like Bram and Julian?” “I… I think so.” “That moment last night during our kiss, what emotion did I share?” “Fuck, I’ve been thinkin’ about that all night and mornin’.” He bounces his knee. “Hard to explain, but it was almost like a promise, I guess.” His blue gold eyes meet mine. “At first, I figured the thought was just my own wish — what I wanted to feel. But it was different than my own thoughts. Um… it had a special… imprint?” This information makes my mind spin. Brushing off the significance, I’d only mentioned chakras to the guys in brief a few days ago. Chakras aren’t a topic I am well-versed in. I know enough, sure… but not a lot. What Jax is explaining, though, sounds an awful lot like his strongest chakra is… With my pointer finger I touch the space on his forehead between his eyebrows. “Here.” Jax’s eyes cross as they meet where my finger touches, and I chuckle. Uncrossing his eyes, he meets my gaze, not flinching or backing away. “If you had to explain where you felt this imprint, would you say this spot is pretty accurate?” I ask. “Yeah.” “Can you feel anyone else in this way?” “No.” Based on the current trend, I should have expected that answer, but still my head shakes and I hesitate, frowning. The more I consider these strange things going on, the more my brain

acts like one of those magnetic pickup tools, collecting questions instead of metal. “Is it okay if I bring this up to the guys? I don’t want to overstep, but I think it’s time we discuss this as a group.” “Yeah, we should,” he agrees. A MOMENT of awkward silence passes before an unexpected warmth blossoms through me. Not the heat desire brings, but… compassion? Surprising both Jax and myself, I lean over and cup his face, planting a chaste kiss on his still swollen lips. “This sounds insane, but that promise stands. Something in my heart is telling me we’re in this for the long-haul.” I search his eyes. “Whatever this is.” For the first time, I manage to render him speechless. His Adam’s apple bobs and his eyes redden. Without a word, he turns away and exits the car. The unrelenting fear and anger he’d been sharing since day one hammers through me, and my stomach lurches from the sheer force. Dammit. I open the car door and stumble out, sucking in the cold air through my lungs. Tobias, Julian, and Bram stand a short distance away; their eyes dart back-and-forth between Jax’s retreating back and me. Bram, an expert in situations like these, closes the distance between us in a few long strides and meets my hunched body. “What the hell happened?” His anger bubbles to the surface, and the words come out more as a demand than a question. My pulse quickens and breathing turns laborious. I take in fast, shaky gasps of air, and blackness creeps in at the edges of my vision. Bram helps me crouch down and eases my head between my knees. “Slow your breathing down, Thess,” he instructs with his soothing, husky voice. When he can’t influence me with words alone, he places my hand against his chest and demonstrates by breathing in long and slow. “Do you feel me? Breathe in and out when I do.” His chest rises and falls under my palm, and I try to follow suit. As soon as our breathing is in sync, I attempt speaking: “Jax. Make him calm down, please.” “Julian!! Catch up with Jax, and calm him the fuck down!” The crunch of leaves under his shoes is loud as Julian runs past but quiets the further he gets. “Did he hurt you?! I’ll fucking kill him.” My head shakes between my knees. I’ve only had one other panic attack in my life, and it was a couple years ago when I hit and killed a dog while driving. When the EMS and police arrived and spotted the claw marks on my chest from where I’d tried to pull my seatbelt off, my situation turned into more of an interrogation. They started with where I had been and who I’d been with, then they moved on to medical related questions and asked if I was allergic to anything. “Cats for sure. Oh, and my mom has an allergy to dust mites and roach poop and always suspected I might too,” I had responded. Laughter ensued, and one officer didn’t skip a beat, “Well, good thing you didn’t hit a cat then.” The memory consoles me, and I manage a small smile. “Can you lift your head and look at me?” Bram asks in a calm voice, bringing me back to the present. “Yeah.” He lifts my chin and searches my eyes for answers. “Do you want to talk about it?” “I’m afraid I don’t have much of a choice.” A shaky breath pushes through me as I

straighten my back. “That panic attack was Jax’s, not mine.” “Holy shit,” Tobias stresses each syllable, disbelief evident in his tone. “So, what you’re saying is Jax had a panic attack, and you felt it?” “Apparently.” Tobias’s brows come together, and he shakes his head. “Nope.” I can’t help myself, a laugh escapes me. Poor Tobias can’t handle seeing past all the biology and into the intuitive nature of people. Okay, sure, this is crazy, but still. Bram pulls me up, intertwines our fingers, and encourages me to walk around. Through a small copse of pines, I spot Jax and Julian standing in the middle of an old alley. As nice as it’d be to pull off in an area free of buildings and potential eyes, it’s nearly impossible anymore. Because the population has become so dense, the land-use regulations no longer allow for a lot of unused space these days. The area we’re in now is lined with hundreds of low-income flats; tiny alleys are the only thing separating each row. The community is bustling with shoeless children darting between houses, laughing, and carrying on. The population here is so congested no one pays much mind to the travelers swinging through. Thank goodness. Had Tobias not pulled over into the small group of trees, the car’s steam covered windows from Jax’s and my antics would have, no doubt, sparked a curious eye or two. Afraid to breach the treeline and join Jax and Julian, for fear more attention will be drawn to us, Bram, Tobias, and I stay back. Opting, instead, to walk in circles through the trees and around the car, we stretch our legs before getting back on the road. “Why did Jax have a panic attack?” Bram asks. “Did you hurt him?” He nudges me. “While I’ll likely not kill you, I can still dole out punishment.” Tobias snorts in amusement and whispers in my ear, “Little does he know, you’d probably enjoy that.” Well, damn, that was an unexpected comment! Guys never give up the perversion. Ever. Every waking moment I swear they’re constantly in sex mode. No matter the situation before them. Eyes wide, I look up at him. “You know too much; now I have to kill you,” I whisper back dramatically. “Quit whispering,” Bram insists playfully. Jax and Julian step through the trees, and my nerves spike again — this time a mix of Jax’s and mine, though dulled. Thank goodness. Julian smiles, and the gesture further reassures me everything with Jax is okay. Jax approaches me, wraps his arms around my shoulders, and buries his face in my hair. “Fuck, Darlin’, I’m so sorry.” “Hey, neither of us knew that would happen. Now we do, and can be more careful next time, right?” “Yeah.” Jax lifts his head, gives me a small smile, and places a quick kiss on my cheek. Then, he lets go, and we all pile back into the car.