Jax laughs and pours himself a generous amount of honey whiskey. “A man does not need to be a criminal to be awful. Though, Father does have illegal dealings, too.”
We settle by the fireplace. It’s cozy and warm, exactly what I need after the day we just had.
“Poor little rich boy,” Jax murmurs after a while. “I like the sound of it.”
I snort. “Of course you do.”
“Should we get Tanaka and Hojo to look at your thigh? You’re bleeding all over Vera’s floor.”
Pouting, I glance at the arrow still sticking from my thigh. This is going to be so painful.
I down the last of my drink. “Yeah. Let’s get this over with.”
Vera returns surprisingly soon. Tanaka and Hojo have just finished cleaning my wound and bandaging me before heading to their rooms for the night.
The moment Vera steps through the door, I know something is off. I don’t even need to sense her emotions. It’s written in the delicate features of her face.
I sit straighter in my seat, alert. “What happened?”
Once Vera removes her shoes, she just stands there by the entrance and stares at nothing.
I get on my feet and wince, my heart racing. “Vera? What’s the matter?”
I have never seen her like this before. She blinks a few times. Slowly, her gaze moves from nowhere to Jax, still sitting in one of the armchairs. She’s shooting daggers at him.
I’m very worried now. What for the love of the gods is going on?
Vera takes one step forward and then halts.
I try again. “Vera, what is going on? Did something happen to Noire? Is it about the trials?”
Vera looks away from Jax and at me. “It seems we have an issue,” she says, slowly articulating every word. “It seems some of us are liars.”
I swallow, panic rising in my chest.Oh shit.Has Vera found out about me sneaking around with Daegel before we officially broke up?
“Vera, it’s not what you think,” I start.
Maybe it’s not too late.
We’re not together anymore.
Vera frowns. “Oh, I think it’s exactly that. I’ve seen the proof.”
Shit, shit, shit. Did I miss some of her spies following me?
I can’t lose her. Not when I’m so fucking close.
Vera isn’t look at me anymore, though. Her full attention is on Jax once again.
Wait, what?
I whip my head to where he sits. He wears a mask of calmness as he keeps Vera’s gaze without even flinching.
He’s awfully quiet. So unlike Jax.
No way.
I swallow. “Jax? What the fuck did you do?”
