Page 92

That one word rolled a wave of relief through my nervous system and my shoulders sank and I bowed my head to hide my tears.

“Thank you,” I said in a watery tone.

“Don’t.” His lips twisted. My heart squeezed. Now that he’d agreed to go, I had to get him on a flight out of here, asap. The sun was still out. There would be a few hours to go until they woke up.

“Collect your things.”

He moved to the duffle on the floor and tossed it on the bed. His gaze became unfocused as he shoved his sweater in and then his computer.

“I’ve seen the guards. Sid told me they patrol the area while those vampires are sleeping.”

I opened and closed my mouth. Fuck, how had I forgotten about them?

“I will get Maddy to distract them.”

“What if you run with me?—”

“No,” I interrupted, shaking my head vehemently. Crimson Coven would hunt me down. And with the money at theirdisposal, it wouldn’t take them long to catch me. “At least if I stay, they won’t come after you.”

He pressed both palms against his temples. “And you think that makes me feel any better?” His voice cracked.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered because what else could I say?

“I will leave on my own. They haven’t tried to stop me ever since they questioned me when I left to take Sidney home. I’ll catch a cab.” His stiff tone caused my wretched heart to fall.

“Live your life, Peter. Just like you were before you found out about my death.”

“This is stupid.” He said it low, but with enough volume.

I took a step back, lowering my head as I backed up to the door.

He approached and hesitated. Then he put his hand on my head.

Tears gathered on my eyelashes.

“I’ll leave, but I won’t act like I don’t know you’re alive. Call me. Same time as usual.”

I exhaled in a shudder.

Making him leave was the correct thing to do. He needed away from vampires. I rubbed my eyes. I wish I didn’t have to be so breakable . . . so human.

THIRTY-ONE

catalina

Jax clearedhis throat from where he stood at the entrance of the living room. “I heard you chased away the Blackthorn female.” Color me stunned. He didn’t normally initiate conversation. I looked at him and then away, returning to rubbing my stomach. It’d been hurting all day. The nerves from seeing Imogen’s portrait, the conversation with Peter, him actually leaving, and waiting for the other shoe to drop when they discovered he left, all of it settled on me like weighted bags.

It took me a moment to collect my thoughts. I popped up from where I leaned my hip against the couch.

“She was a tad extreme,” I said carefully. Jax walked toward me, not stopping until he was arms distance away.

“I figured you wouldn’t do well at a vampire function, but they won’t listen to me,” he shook his head slightly. I pursed my lips, and he put one hand up. “It’s not a comment meant to offend you. Just an observation.”

Contemplation laced his words, but his eyes wouldn’t move away from my body. He rubbed his thumb and pointer finger against his closed eyes, hiding the flash of red.

“It’s a little too late to be saying that now, since we’re leaving in a few hours,” I drawled, crossing my arms. I’d showeredand done my hair already. I was waiting until we were closer to go-time before I finished my make-up and slipped into that beautiful dress the twins fucked me in.

His lips quirked up at the corners. “I’m all for not going. If you’d like to let the others know, I wouldn’t be opposed to it.” I shook my head, put off by how close he was getting to me. “I’m going in there as a Pet—what are you doing?” Jax’s thumb stopped rubbing against my cheek. He blinked as if coming out of a trance and he scowled.