Page 108

Aurora hugs his waist. “Ignore it. I’m okay.”
He points a finger at Emily. “None of that shit would’ve happened ifyouhadn’t brought her there. If you weren’t such a jealous, scheming fucking whore, she would’ve never been with those people.”
Jaw and fists clenched, Emily charges toward Jax, Aurora between them. “She also would’ve never seen you strung out!”
Aurora spins around, sways on her feet, then clutches her stomach, and the room erupts into chaos,fast.
I’m done, absolutely done.
Jax grabs our girl, and I get in front of her, in front of them both, knowing he’s about to lose his shit. “Leave before I have you removed.”
Emily narrows her eyes. “And who’s going to remove me?”
“Me.” Ricky enters my peripheral vision and snatches her arm, dragging her away. “Let’s go.”
She trips but manages to stay upright, her feet scrambling beneath her. “You can’t touch me!”
“Wanna fucking bet?” he snarls, not letting up. “You came at the woman I’m protecting. I’ll do whatever the fuck I want.”
She struggles to free herself from his grip. “I’ll fight back!”
He shoves her through the kitchen doorway. “And I’ll put you in handcuffs.”
Jax hovers over Aurora, tears in his eyes.
“I’m only nauseated,” she assures him, her voice wobbly.
From behind, I cuff his rigid shoulder and clasp her nape. When he doesn’t throw me off, I wrap my arm around his front and draw him into my chest. “You good?”
He releases a breath and nods solemnly.
Ricky returns from dumping the trash, his face flushed. He glares at Aurora and points to the bedroom. “Get in bed.” He lowers his hand and exhales. “I’ll bring you breakfast and take your blood pressure.”
Her gaze meets mine, seeking my response, as if I won’t agree.
I release her neck. “Go.”
Her shoulders slump. “I have to finish today.”
“We’ll see what your blood pressure says.” I have no intention of letting her do anything. “Climb into bed with Jax. I’ll bring you cupcakes after my meeting.”
Once the bedroom door shuts, I find Ricky in the kitchen arranging her breakfast—a strawberry tart and a bowl of yogurt with granola, blueberries, and raspberries, a chocolate croissant on the side.
My God, can someonenotspoil her?
“You know that’s not your job anymore. You don’t have to do that.”
He pops the top off a steaming to-go cup of tea. “It was never my job.”
I brush that comment aside. I lack the brainpower to deal with him right now. “Not that I’d ever let it happen, but you see why Jax can’t be around Kyle or be put back in that environment, right?” Just the thought has my heart racing against my sternum. I should have someone checkmyblood pressure. “He’ll relapse. He’ll get wasted to get through it. It’ll kill Aurora.”
“I got you.”
“He was a victim.”
His eyes meet mine. “I’m not planning on using him—or Aurora—but he could give details of people and locations. That would help.”
“I’ll think about it. Don’t let anyone up please. She doesn’t need to be working. Is it always like this?”