He linked his arms around her waist and nuzzled her neck, pressing kisses to her skin. She relaxed into his arms, a reaction she couldn’t stop. It felt right being with him, despite the uneasiness of her thoughts. She let her head rest against his chest.
“I missed you.”
She laughed softly. “How did you ever survive? You haven’t seen me for what…ten minutes?”
“Fifteen. That’s too long.” He nipped her shoulder, then licked the sting away. “My cats were beginning to whine. They don’t like going so long without hearing your voice. They worry because they’re not close enough to protect you.”
Jazz stroked the arms holding her and savored his words, but they didn’t snuff out the doubt that had taken root within her. “The minute I met you, I knew you were a sweet-talker. You always know exactly what to say to make me feel special.”
“You are special. No other female can take your place, and no one will ever take you from me.”
He’d said the same thing many times, but the growl to his words suggested there was another reason behind them beyond his possessiveness.
“What has Jon done?” She’d bet money that was the source of his anger.
“Devin found evidence of where we think Jon has been staying.”
She turned in his arms and took in the careful mask he wore. “That’s good. Isn’t it?”
“Yes. This might be our best chance to grab him. I’ve called Zach back to help watch the house, and I’m going to meet Devin. We’ll wait for Jon to return, then I’ll take him out once and for all.”
“But why do you have to go? Send Kade or let Devin handle it.”
Rafe leaned closer until his full feline eyes filled her vision. “I wasn’t there to save you from those bear shifters. I didn’t rescue you from Jon when he had his filthy hands on you. And I wasn’t the one who chased off Jon’s lion form. Three times I failed you. It won’t happen again.”
She sighed. It was the response she’d expected. It didn’t ease her disappointment. Rafe was using those instances as an excuse for revenge. Yes, she understood that Jon needed to be taken out. Everything that had happened since he’d groped her had proven that. She just couldn’t see why Rafe had to do it.
“You didn’t even know me five years ago. That doesn’t count and—”
“Yes. It does.” He snapped his teeth together. “You are my true mate, and you were mine five years ago. You were mine the minute you took your first breath. Every bad thing that has ever happened to you is ultimately my fault. I wasn’t there to protect you.”
Rafe kicked off his shoes and tossed his shirt. He picked up the syringe from the nightstand, the one filled with the chemical to mask his scent, and jabbed it into his arm, depressing the plunger. He put the cap back on and tossed it in the wastebasket.
“And you’re not going to be here for me now!”
He stopped with his hand on the button of his jeans and glanced at her.
She rushed forward. “You’re leaving your brothers and your friend to guard me while you go off hunting Jon. How is that protecting me?”
Rafe cupped her face in his hands and brushed his lips over hers. “It is protecting you. I know you don’t understand. You’re only human.”
“Only human.” Jazz shoved away from him. “Seriously. Is that what you’re going to drop on me? Only human? I thought I was strong, beautiful, brave. I did manage to protect your nephews for five years on my own. Even Kade respects me for that.”
“And so do I. You are the best female a male could ask for.”
“But I’m only human. Not quite strong enough to make it as your mate.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but what I meant by you’re only human is that you aren’t driven by your instincts. Do you remember when Devin attacked Josh?”
“Yes.”
“His cats urged him to do that. They viewed him as a threat to Mira. And do you know how animals deal with people who they think will hurt their loved ones?” He crouched so he was eye-level with her. “They kill them. If their enemies stop breathing, they won’t hurt anyone.”
Rafe tapped his head. “That’s what I’ve been dealing with since the night Jon and I argued. My cats were wary of him, but I let him go. I just let him walk away. You know what he did then?” He narrowed his eyes but continued before she could answer. “He cut off my dad’s head, and my mom died too since they were soul-bonded. She dropped over dead, right as I was talking to her.”
Jazz reached for him, but Rafe jumped back and shoved roughly at the strands of his hair that had fallen into his face. “Jon destroyed my family because I let him walk away. I won’t let him take our family. That’s what this comes down to.”
“No matter how you choose to rationalize it, you’re still acting on your need for revenge. Stay here and—”
“You will be protected. My brothers and Xander would give their lives for you.” He kicked off his jeans and walked naked to their bedroom door.
She wasn’t going to win the argument. In his mind—a shifter’s mind that was influenced by his cats—he was doing the right thing. She even understood where he was coming from. It didn’t mean she agreed with him. He was still placing his misconstrued beliefs before her.
Time for a different approach. “What if it’s a trap?”
He shrugged. “It probably is, but if he wants to play, I’m game.”
“I know you’re immortal, but—”
Rafe glanced over his shoulder and leveled her with a hard look. “This is not up for discussion. I’m going, and you will stay here where Kade and Xander can keep an eye on you.”
She stared at him wide-eyed. “Excuse
