Page 46 of Shadows of Obsession

"What do you want?" Jaxon asked, his voice clipped and sharp with distrust. He crossed his arms, posture rigid and ready.

"I just told you. I want to talk," Jared said, irritation flickering in his eyes now. "You always were stubborn."

I tightened my grip on Jaxon's shirt, grounding him. This could escalate fast. I'd seen it happen before, knew the signs. And I wasn't sure how much longer Jaxon could hold himself back if Jared kept pressing the wrong buttons.

"Talk about what?" Jaxon asked again, his tone even but unyielding.

Jared's smirk returned, cold and mocking. It didn't reach his eyes. "You know. Family stuff. Figured it's been a while since we had a little heart-to-heart."

The phrasefamily stuffsounded absurd coming from him.

Jaxon didn't believe a word of it. I could tell by the way his jaw tightened and his stare bored into his brother. Jared didn't do anything without an angle, and Jaxon knew it. Hell, even I could see it, and I'd only just met the guy.

"Cut the shit, Jared," Jaxon said, his voice dropping to a glacial chill. "Whatever you're here for, just spit it out. I don't have time for your games."

"What's going on here?"

Connor's voice sliced through the moment like a blade. He rounded the corner, his sharp gaze landing first on my hand gripping Jaxon's shirt, then sweeping over Jaxon's taut posture, and finally settling on the man at the bottom of the steps.

Recognition flickered across his face. His expression hardened.

"My brother wants to talk," Jaxon said without looking away from Jared. His voice was terse. His body was still coiled like a loaded spring.

"So I'm going to take him to my place."

What?

"Jaxon—" I started, panic and concern rising in my chest.

"Go inside with Connor, Anna."

He finally turned toward me, and the look in his eyes made my breath catch. Fire. Determination. Anger. He was resolved, determined to get Jared away from here, even if it meant letting the wolf inside his own den.

I hesitated, my grip tightening on his shirt. The idea of him alone with Jared, especially after that comment about Nikki and the barely concealed hostility, made my stomach twist with worry.

Connor seemed to sense my reluctance. He stepped forward and wrapped a protective arm around my shoulders.

"Jax, you sure this is a good idea?" His voice was low, cautious, his eyes never leaving Jared.

"It's fine," Jaxon said flatly, his tone brooking no argument. "I'll handle it."

He turned back to his brother, his expression colder than ice.

"Let's go, Jared. We have things to discuss."

Jared's smirk returned, though I caught a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes as they briefly shifted toward Connor's solid, immovable presence. But he'd come here for something, and he clearly wasn't leaving without trying to get it.

"Come on, Anna," Connor said, calm but firm. "Let's give them some space."

I stood frozen, my eyes bouncing between Jaxon and Jared. Every instinct I had screamed at me not to let Jaxon go alone with this man who so clearly wanted to hurt him. But I trusted Connor's judgment. And Jaxon's resolve was unshakable.

Reluctantly, I nodded and stepped back toward the door. Before I went inside, I met Jaxon's eyes one last time, hoping he could see the concern written all over my face. The unspoken plea: Please be careful.

Jaxon gave a faint nod in return, acknowledging my worry. Then his focus snapped back to his brother, and I knew that, whatever came next, he was ready to face it head-on.

God, please let him be okay.

I watched as Jaxon descended the steps, never taking his eyes off Jared. He gestured toward the Jeep's passenger seat but kept several feet of distance, refusing to turn his back. Smart. As they drove off, I stood in the doorway, watching the taillights disappear into the deepening dusk.