Page 205 of Tangled Like Us

“I’m okay,” Jane assures with a soft smile, meeting my gaze for the shortest second.

My muscles tighten.

Maximoff stands up. “Ben, I thought my brother was with you? You said you were looking out for him tonight.”

Ben puts an earnest hand to his chest. “Xander told me he wanted to be alone. He was adamant, and I didn’t want to hassle him—and he seemed okay, like happy. I would’ve called you if I thought he wasn’t.”

Maximoff nods. “I’ll check on my brother. Just have fun.”

Ben clasps his hand, they hug, and then he speaks in French to Jane.

I’m still waiting for Tony to reply to comms.He’s not rogering up.Blood starting to boil, I try again. “What’s your AO, Tony?”

Banks shakes his head, pissed. He scouts our six and whispers, “And Epsilon thinks he’s the Messiah of their force. Yeah right. And I’m the Virgin Mary.”

SFE hates Farrow so much that they’re desperate to tote an Epsilon bodyguard who’s better. But praising Tony is like waving around a gold-foiled candy bar believing it’s solid gold.

I start to think Tony isn’t rogering up because of personal grievances.Fucking shitbag.“If he’s not responding just to fuck with me, I’m going to break his itty-bitty dick in half.”

Banks nods. “Amen.”

Farrow uses comms. “Farrow to security, anyone seen Xander?”

While I listen to comms, I head back to Jane. Seeing that she’s about to rise off the hay, I clasp her hand. Helping her to her feet, and she grips my waist, bracing herself to me.

“Thank you,” she whispers, our eyes meeting more than once.

“Can you put weight on it?” I wrap my arm around her hips.

She tries, and intakes a sharp breath.Negative.Jane looks up at me. “I have a feeling we’re going to need to go on a search for Xander. Maybe I should wait alone and find a crutch so I don’t hold the group back?” She turns her head, noticing Banks grabbing her boot and ice. “Thatcher—”

I already pull her in my arms.

“Oh my God,” she gasps under her breath while I easily cradle her against my chest. Her cheeks flushed, holding on to her black hat. She’s almost panting, and it takes me too long to stop looking at her.

This is where she’s meant to be.In my arms.

Inmyarms.

But as a bodyguard or a boyfriend?Can’t have both.

I narrow my searing eyes on the perimeter. Doing a quick scan for nearby threats. And for a red Power Ranger. Xander’s costume.

“He’s not answering my calls,” Maximoff says, phone to his ear again.

“We’ll find him,” Jane assures, her arm hooked around my neck. She’s careful not to pull out my earpiece.

Farrow tosses Banks a bandage from the trauma bag, and while I’m cradling Jane, my brother places the ice on her ankle and secures it with the wrap.

Still no word from security.

Maximoff slips his phone in the belt of his Captain America costume. He throws the red and blue shield aside in case he has to run. Ready to be with his brother.We have to find Xander.

I stay rooted to the present moment. To the mission. “Let’s push out,” I say.

“Together,” Jane adds. “I don’t think we should split apart.”

Maximoff nods in agreement, and Farrow clutches the back of his neck in comfort.