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I closed my eyes. Everything became so silent I could have heard a pin drop.

“We’ll remove the issue,” Ren announced. I met his brown eyes. He crossed his arms. Irritation flickered over his face, but he stayed in place. “The one who keeps hurting you.” His eyes focused on Jax.

“You’re acting like you never tossed me around or burned my life belongings.” There was a desperate edge to my voice. Because . . . because they were convincing me.

“We settled that,” he said, smiling so wide his fangs and dimples showed up. He was right. He took accountability in the car. I licked my lips.

My eyes bounced from one to the other.

“Fair,” Bastien added, nodding. “If you do not want Jaxon here, he will be forced out of the Coven.”

Jax remained silent, like he was too stunned to speak.

Asher sighed and rubbed his temple.

“If this is what you want, Love, we agree.”

“What the fuck is this?” Jax snarled. “I’m not going anywhere.” The three that spoke studied him. Tension crawled up my shoulders. Asher continued rubbing his temples.

“I . . .” I licked my lips.

Jax’s eyes widened with alarm. He was suddenly standing in front of me. His chest heaved once and then again.

“You can’t do this,” he whispered. “I can’t leave. I won’t.” His nose flared. He slammed his palms against the wall near the sides of my head. He shoved his nose into the crevice of my neck, eliciting a shiver to life.

“I need you,” he whispered it almost accusingly. I clenched my hands at my sides. He felt too good. His nose rubbed against the column of my neck.

He’d make me melt into him. I needed a clear head. I shoved him back and ducked to the side.

Jax grabbed my forearm. My throat closed up and I just reacted—whirling, I sank my teeth into his arm.

I breathed in through my nose, the taste of his sweet nectar exploded on my tongue. I moaned and held onto the underside of his arm near his elbow. I ran my tongue over the bite wound to collect blood. I sucked again.

Jax groaned, staggering back, until he sagged against the wall. I followed, holding onto him.

I yanked myself back so fast, I almost fell. My reflexes helped me catch my balance. Jax stared at me, eyes so wide. He panted. My eyes dropped to his hard bulge.

I dabbed my tongue on my lip to collect the rest of his blood.

“I’ll bring you her ashes,” Jax said, still breathless.

“What?” I shook my head hard. “No. Just leave it be.” I just wanted peace.

“She won’t let it be, Pet. Especially if she discovers you survived.”

“That will anger her more,” Ren added.

“Tobias, tell them.” Maybe he would be on my side. Sure, it would be more of a selfish reason, but that was fine with me if the outcome was the same. I whirled toward him. His gray eyes scanned my face.

“I agree. She needs to be stopped.”

He’d just agreed to kill his sister. “She’s crossed too many lines,” he continued. I wasn’t sure if he was trying to convince me or himself.

“Nothing will happen to us. She’s outnumbered,” Asher murmured, tucking my hair behind my ear.

“More like two against one.” Ren met Tobias eyes. “She’s your Sire. You three cannot be anywhere near her.”

“In case she orders—” Jax went quiet. He knew exactly what she could order.