Warrant?
Could it be?
Jethro went deathly still beside me. Every connection we shared froze, no longer a two-way street of togetherness and affection. A road block slammed into place, masking his every thought.
I glanced at him from the corner of my eye. My heart squeezed as he stared fiercely at the opposite wall, refusing to look at me.
“Jethro—” I breathed.
His jaw locked; snowflakes flurried around him as he pulled more and more away from me. Goosebumps dotted my flesh.
Cut roared, “Tell those fucking pigs to get off my land. Their warrant means jack-shit.”
“Sir, I’ve told them. But they won’t listen. They say—they say they’re here for—”
Jethro burst out laughing—a cold, cynical chuckle. “That low life piece of shit. He did this. They’re here for her.” He looked at the ceiling, his face twisting into nightmares. “Of course, they fucking are.”
A warrant could mean many things. It might not have anything to do with me. Yet a screeching, tearing noise echoed in my ears.It’s my soul.The awful ripping sound was my soul splintering in two. If they had come for me...that meant...
I’m saved.
I’d wished for this very thing to happen.
I’d prayed for this. I’d begged for this.
Escape.
So, why—if it was true—did I wish to run to my quarters and hide?
I don’t want to leave him.
Ican’tleave him.
Not after last night.
Jethro balled his hands, his eyes sharp and deadly. He snarled at Facet, “Tell them they can’t fucking have her.”
My heart squeezed. Pain blazed through me with more agony than I thought possible. He wouldn’t give me up. Hecouldn’tgive me up.
We were one now. It’d been written in the stars and on our very skin.
Escape.
The word slithered through my brain, bringing forth thoughts of London and home. I shook my head, trying to dislodge the steadily building allure.
You could go home.
No, my home is here now.
But you’d be safe again...
My steadfast promise to stay and steal Jethro from his heritage faded...I becameconfused...
I swallowed, lubricating my throat. “Jethro—please...”
I needed him to fight for me. To prove that this was my place, my destiny.
Jethro clenched his jaw, shoving his chair back and standing. “Quiet!” Pointing a finger at Facet, he growled. “Do they, or do they not, have a fucking warrant for what’s mine?”
