Jax sat back, stunned. “Well, no. But I don’t understand how you can go easy on me after I chose Kira over one of my own brothers.”
“Is that what you think? That I’m going easy?” Nick smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “No, Jax. You’ll stay here and do your part on this team. You’ll help us win the war against Chappell and find out who’s backing him. And you’ll help us locate Aric, Micah, and anyone else they’ve gotten their dirty hands on, and bring them home. That’s your mission. Is that understood?”
He swallowed hard. “Yes, sir. I won’t let any of you down again.”
“You didn’t let us down with your choice to save your mate,” Nick said softly. “Everyone understands, even me.
“Have I completely screwed up the future, put us in even more danger?” He dreaded the answer. But it wasn’t what he expected.
“No man should be cursed with knowing what the future will bring, or how the endless array of choices made every second affects the possible outcomes. Those choices are like balls striking one another on a pool table—you know?”
“I—I think so.”
“Each choice affects another. A single deed or whispered word can topple an empire . . . Or save a loved one. All we can do is weigh the risks and rewards, and move on. That’s all any man can do, and for all your abilities, you’re still a man at heart. Nothing more.”
His words humbled Jax. He hung his head for a moment, thinking. Then he looked at his boss, and friend. “I can’t help but feel like we failed.”
“No,” he said firmly. “We learned what Chappell and his partners are up to, and we learned Beryl is alive and is one of them. We rescued two shifters and we’re going to liberate more, including our own. We’re on the trail of our enemies, and we’re going to win.”
“If we make the right moves.”
“Of course.”
Jax knew Nick wouldn’t reveal more. He stood, offered his hand, which his boss shook. “I won’t let you down,” he repeated. “Or my team.”
“I know. Now go find that mate of yours.” He released his grip. “Tonight we rest. Tomorrow we’ll regroup.”
“And kick some ass.”
Nick laughed. “That’s the plan.”
Jax walked out of his boss’s office feeling optimistic. Chappell and whoever were pulling the strings might have won the battle, but they weren’t going to win the war.
“Hold on, old friend,” Jax said. “We’re coming for you. Count on it.”
With new purpose in his stride, he went to find his mate.
His heart and soul.
Aric awoke slowly, head pounding. His brain felt stuffed with cotton, and his entire body ached. Where the fuck was he?
He tried to move, only to find he was chained against something solid, maybe a wall, arms and legs spread wide.
And he was naked as the day he’d been born.
From the shadows, a tall slender figure emerged. A woman with long hair a darker shade of red than his own. She was dressed in black slacks and a skimpy top that left little to the imagination.
“Beryl, you bitch,” he hissed.
Her laugh sparkled with amusement. “Is that any way to speak to your sister?”
His voice was cold. “I don’t claim you. I never have.”
“Is that why you never told your sexy friend Jax the truth? I wonder how your team will react to your betrayal,” she mused aloud. The prospect apparently pleased her. A lot.
“I didn’t betray them. I thought Jax was happy, and despite what a skank I know you are, I didn’t want to interfere. I won’t make that mistake again.”
“No, you won’t get the chance.” Too late, he saw the knife in her hand, glowing red from being placed in the fire.
“Scream, dear brother.”
As she pressed the hot blade into his side, he promised himself he wouldn’t. But half an hour later, he failed, screaming until his voice broke. Until consciousness began to fade.
Blessedly, the knife, Beryl, and the horror faded to nothing.
