“Fuck, Ariel,” Jackson whispers, trembling a little in shock and relief. “I’ve missed you so much – I’m so sorry –““Sorry,” I say, lifting my face and sniffing hard, even as tears continue to fall from my eyes. “Why are you sorry.”“Because I let them take you,” he murmurs, sticking an arm through
Jackson snarls down into my face, though I don’t budge an inch, completely unafraid. Because even if fear and anger ripple through him at that confirmation, I know that none of this is for me. For my grandmother, perhaps – but not for me.“Hey,” I whisper, reaching a hand up and cupping his cheek in
He blinks once, I think shocked.“I’m serious,” I say, squeezing his hand, holding his gaze. “I’ve had time to think in here – time is the only thing I have – and when I get home? You’re the only mate I want. I don’t want Gabriel – and I don’t want Luca, okay? I just want you. Me and you – and that’
Jackson kisses me softly through the bars of my little Atalaxian cage. I lean my full weight against them, letting my hand slip up over Jackson’s stubbled cheek and then back into his hair.He pulls away, snarling a little, both for want of me and, well –“I hate these fucking bars,” he growls, glan
“Oh, just be quiet and let me concentrate.”Jesse does as he’s bid, only grumbling a little. Because they’ve been here for hours, and while the blob at the center has shifted a couple of times, there’s no way to really know if it’s people or…something else. Either way, it seems thoroughly encaged, s
Midnight, snarling, suddenly appears before Jesse in his path. “You stop,” she growls, a hand held out towards him. “You stop right now –“Jesse just gives her a look like she’s insane and dodges around her, picking up speed as Jackson calls out his name and starts to run for him in turn. Laughing,
I land back in my bed happier than I’ve ever been in Atalaxia. Because I have a plan now, and my big sweet mate waiting for me on the other side. Yes, by this time tomorrow hopefully we’ll all be out of this and I’ll be on my way home.Humming, I hope out of bed and move into the bathroom to take a
He smirks at me. “And why on earth would I agree to negotiate with you? I have you completely under my thumb.”I straighten my shoulders a little, pretending that it takes a bit of courage to do so. “You wish me docile, don’t you, Gabriel? I can continue to make this hard or…” I shrug. “It could be