Liv shrinks further into herself. I catch her trembling.
“Perhaps Aurora would like to chat instead?” He turns his dark gaze to me. “Tell me, what’s your favorite childhood memory with your sister? Before she became such a willing?—”
“Stop it,” I snap, unable to contain myself.
He smiles, victorious at getting a reaction. “Protective, aren’t we? Though I wonder why. Your sister seems quite capable of making her own… decisions.”
Olivia makes a small sound—something between a whimper and a sob.
“Leave her alone,” I say, standing despite every instinct screaming to appear smaller, less threatening.
Jax ignores me, reaching to brush a strand of hair from Olivia’s face. She flinches but doesn’t pull away. The shame in her eyes when she finally glances at me is unbearable.
“Such lovely sisters,” Jax murmurs, his fingers trailing down to Olivia’s neck. “So different, yet equally... entertaining.”
Jax’s fingers slide from Olivia’s neck to her jaw, forcing her head up. “Drink,” he commands, grabbing one of the water bottles and pressing it against her lips.
Olivia clamps her mouth shut, turning her face away.
“I said drink.” His voice drops an octave, that dangerous edge returning. With one hand, he pinches her nose closed while the other tips the bottle to her lips.
Olivia struggles briefly but can’t break his grip. When she finally gasps for air, water floods her mouth. She chokes, coughs, but Jax doesn’t relent until half the bottle is empty, water spilling down her chin and neck, darkening the nightgown.
My stomach churns. I’ve already finished my water—downed it mindlessly minutes before Jax arrived. What’s in it?
“Perfect. Now we’re ready for our entertainment.” Jax releases Olivia, who collapses into a coughing fit. He pulls a tablet from his jacket pocket and positions it so we can both see.
The screen lights up with a news channel logo. The headline scrolls across the bottom.
TECH MOGUL HUNTER REED LINKED TO ORGANIZED CRIME SYNDICATE.
“Your boyfriend’s quite the celebrity these days,” Jax says, his eyes fixed on my reaction.
The footage shows Hunter leaving a building, his expression cold as reporters shout questions.
“This carefully edited garbage doesn’t prove anything,” I say.
Jax laughs. “The public disagrees. Your Hunter is officially Public Enemy Number One. I doubt he has time to even look for you.”
My heart sinks despite myself.
“Five days,” Jax continues. “I expected him sooner. Perhaps you’re not as important to him as you believed?” He studies my face with clinical interest. “Or maybe he’s simply outmatched this time.”
I watch the screen, the images of Hunter burning into my mind. Five days. Has it really been that long? The seed of doubt takes root despite my determination to crush it. What if Hunter can’t find us? What if Jax has outmaneuvered him?
“You look troubled, Aurora,” Jax says, putting the tablet away. “Having second thoughts about your knight in crime-stained armor?”
I don’t answer, but my silence feels more like weakness than defiance now.
Jax turns his attention back to Olivia. “Your sister still believes in fairy tales.” His hand slides to her shoulder, fingers tracing her collarbone. “You’re more practical, aren’t you, Liv?”
To my horror, Liv doesn’t pull away. Her eyes remain downcast, but she leans into his touch.
“That’s better,” Jax murmurs. His hand moves lower, tracing the outline of her breast through the fabric of her nightgown.
“Liv,” I whisper, my voice catching.
Jax’s other hand cups Liv’s face. “Tell your sister how you feel when I touch you.”
