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Story: Feral Longing

Jericho.

She tilted her head, peering into his warm caramel eyes. No trace of the rogue remained. “I was so scared. I wasn’t sure what Victor was going to do with you. Are you okay?”

“Yes, thanks to you.” Thick lines formed between his brows. “There’s much we need to discuss, but later. Right now, I have to get you out of here.”

“What? No.” Adrenaline spiked her veins. “You can’t! You can’t take me out of here.”

He tightened his arms. “Alex, you can’t stay. It’s not safe.”

She twisted in his embrace, attempting to pull free. “You saw what I did to those men. What I did toLiam. I can’t control it.”

“We’ll figure it out. But not here,” he growled.

“No. I can’t leave. Let. Me. Go.” She hammered his unyielding chest with each word. Once free, she staggered.

Power hummed beneath her skin, rising at the threat. She hugged her stomach.Oh God, not again.

“Alex?”

She backed away, shaking her head. “You don’t understand. They’re in my head. All of them. I can hear them twisting my mind, stealing my sanity. I’m afraid I’ll hurt someone.” Her voice broke. “Hurt you.”

He matched her retreating steps across the room, showing no concern for the energy crackling in the air.

The heat of his anger swept her chilly skin. “If you can hear them, you’ve also heard Victor’s solution.” Jericho clenched his fists at his sides. “Fight, Alex. Don’t let him do this to you. Come with me. Let me keep you safe while we sort this out.”

She pressed her palms to her eyes, struggling to focus. If she agreed, who would keep Jericho safe…from her?

Jericho’s fingers circled her wrist. The connection rolled over her ragged nerves like a soothing balm.

He tugged her arm, reeling her in. “Give me your trust. I swear I won’t let you down again.”

Lord help her, but it was hard to resist the comfort he offered. Everything seemed so much simpler when she was in his arms.

Jericho was the only thing that made sense in this twisted world. How could he possibly think he’d let her down? He was always there for her, just as he was right now.

She leaned her forehead into his chest. “I do trust you, but it isn’t my safety that concerns me.”

“Let me worry about that.”

She nodded her surrender, and he was quick to take advantage. Without pausing, he swept her up and carried her through the door.

Twenty-Six

The car ridepassed in a blur, and the throbbing in Alex’s head eased with every passing mile. When the Charger pulled into the firehouse garage, she breathed a sigh.

Jericho carried her up the steps and into his bedroom, then lowered her feet to the floor.

Reluctant to let go, she leaned against him.

He tucked her hair behind her ear. “How do you feel?”

“Much better now that you’re the only one in my head.” She offered a worried smile. “Are you sure we should be here? What if Victor changes his mind and sends someone after us?”

“If everything goes as planned, there won’t be any reason to run.”

The determination in his voice prickled her neck. Before she could question him further, something warm brushed against her leg.

She glanced down. “Titan.”