Page 114 of The Souls We Claim

“I’m not usually such a mess.” But I’m sure there is a smile on my face that calls me a liar.

Jax runs a knuckle down my cheek. “You’re perfect, love. And third, you said it’s intimidating, yet …? You paused there just as the bikes arrived.”

“I feel like telling you anything good will feed your ego and you’ll be an insufferable jerk about it.” I touch my palm to his cheek and smooth his stubble.

“What if I said I’d spank you if you don’t tell me?”

I trail my fingers over the strap that runs over his shoulder and down to his hip, filled with ammo. “When you speak to me like that…”

“Like what?”

I shrug, a little hapless. A part of me doesn’t really want to answer, but I do. “I melt for you, Jax. That’s the only way I can describe it.”

He kisses me, this time with more heat than is healthy for either of us right now. “Have you any idea what it does to me when you talk like that?”

I shake my head.

“I’m going to prove how much I love you over and over again.”

His watch buzzes, and he looks down at it. “I need to check in with my brothers.” He tilts his chin at Lola. “Take care of Lollipop. Fill her tummy and tire her out if you can. It would be better if she doesn’t scream all night. Somewhere rural like this, the sound will carry.”

“I will. I’ll take her into the safe room if she gets upset. That should deaden the cries.”

“Smart girl,” he says, sighing. “I love you, Ari. I promise this will be over soon.”

As I watch his broad shoulders when he steps out of the cabin, I pray he’s right.

34

HALO

“I’ve set up a trip wire across the main drive and let King know to tell the others,” Bates says when I catch up with him down the driveway. This is the fourth walk I’ve done with him since Ari and I talked earlier.

And despite what is going on around us, I find I’m itching to get on with the rest of my life with her instead of dealing with my brother.

We keep to the shadows as we talk, our voices low.

“Good idea. Every extra moment’s notice we get of their arrival is a bonus.”

“Figured knowledge is power. Switch and I set up a bunk in the outbuilding over there.” He points to a disused building with a corrugated roof and dirty glass windows with a small hole, as if a bullet had been fired through it but the glass didn’t shatter. “He’s getting some sleep while I keep watch. You should get some shut-eye too.”

I glance up at the moon, wishing it wasn’t shining quite so bright. “Would you sleep if someone was coming for your daughter?”

Bates shoulder checks me. “He’s coming for you first.”

“I’d rather me than Lola. Is it wrong I want to speak to him? See if I can talk him off this wild ledge he’s standing on. Or at least understand why he’s so fucking angry about it.”

“And he never returns any of your messages?” Bates asks.

I shake my head but make a decision and grab my phone.

This cat and mouse bullshit is a fucking coward’s way. Meet me anywhere. I can make any place my battlefield. One on one. It’ll be my pleasure to finish this ridiculous fight with some guy who’s butt-hurt because his daddy didn’t love him.

“What did you say?” Bates asks.

“That he’s a fucking pussy and needs to face me.”

“To the point.”