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The words felt like he’d reached inside me and squeezed my stomach. I used the desk as a prop for my suddenly weak knees. The part that couldn’t rely on anyone for so long writhed inside me, frightened. But the much larger part in me that craved belonging, swelled.

“Stop,” I muttered, not facing him. His thumb rubbed my cheek.

“How long have you been planning this?” Jax’s sharp voice sliced through my musings.

When I turned, Jax stood an inch from Asher, not looking happy. Asher didn’t seem bothered by his brother’s ire. He lifted his hand to inspect and pick at the cuticle.

“While you were up Imogen’s ass,” he drawled.

Jax stiffened. The bunch of his arm, the cording of his neck. He was going to hit Asher. I moved forward too quickly. My head spun, but I managed to catch Jax’s fist, before it slammed into Asher’s face.

“Do not start fighting in here,” I chastised. “You ruin one inch of this office and I’m—” Jax raised an eyebrow. “You won’t like what I do.” I poked my nose higher in the air, but instead of looking intimidated, Jax only smiled. He tapped the tip of my nose.

I scowled up at him, pouting my lower lip out.

“Are you two good now?” Asher’s eyes seemed too bright.

“Yes.”

“Trial basis.”

Jax and I spoke at the same time. I glared at him. “Mighty sure of yourself, bloodsucker.”

“Determined.”

“What have you done with my twin?” Asher gasped, pressing his hand to his chest.

“Don’t get too excited,” I mumbled, tossing them a warning look and backed away to continue taking in my new desk. My laptop sat on the surface, ready and waiting for me.

“When did you have time to do all this?” Jax asked, pacing the room as he took everything in.

“Ren helped and we tasked a vampire we knew would have nothing to do with Imogen. Talia was too busy to burden with all this.” Asher turned to me. “You’ll meet Baron later; she helped us get everything organized.”

“Baron?” Jax snapped, multiple expressions sifted over his features, all of them negative. He turned toward me and was next to me in the next second. He took my hand and yanked me to face him. I caught myself before smacking nose-first into his chest.

“I didn’t fuck her.”

I blinked up at him. “Ever.”

“Uh, okay,” I said hesitantly.

His lips pursed.

“I have never and will never care for another but you, Catalina.”

I frowned up at him. He seemed desperate to make me believe it.

“You’re seeming more suspicious with your passion, Jaxon,” Asher chortled.

“You should not have chosen her to help,” Jax snapped.

“I had to work quickly.” Asher sobered up, his lips twisting.

“Some more explanation would be nice?”

Jax let my hand go after a quick squeeze.

“She’s someone I turned.” I knew that bit.