But incomplete.
Luca wasn't here yet.
I could feel him though, getting closer. An hour out, maybe less.
"Where's Vale?" I asked against her mouth.
"His plane lands soon. He's driving straight here."
"Good." I carried her back to the couch, sat down with her in my lap. "We need to talk. All three of us. But first, tell me everything."
She did.
The whole story came pouring out. The meeting with Emma Burns. Walking into that office and finding her mother already there. The orchestrated betrayal. The ultimatum designed to force her to choose.
"I resigned," she said, her voice steady despite the tears on her cheeks. "I quit, Jax. I chose us."
Pride surged through me, fierce and hot. "Good."
"Good?" She pulled back to look at my face.
"You chose us. That takes guts, Pretty Girl."
"I chose me too. Chose not to let them control me anymore. Chose not to be ashamed of what I am."
"Even better." I cupped her face, wiped away tears with my thumbs. "I'm proud of you."
"My mother set the whole thing up. She went to Emma, told her about the bond, the conflict of interest. Forced Emma's hand."
Anger spiked through me, sharp and violent. "I'm going to have words with your mother."
"Jax, don't."
"Not threats. Just very direct words about staying the fuck out of our lives."
Reina touched my face, her fingers gentle. "I already told her she's not welcome anymore. I'm done with her. Completely done."
"You sure?"
"Completely sure."
I kissed her forehead, breathing in her scent. Lilies and cinnamon and home. "Then she's not worth another second of our time."
She leaned against my chest, exhausted. I held her, stroked her hair, felt the bond pulse between us.
"I should shower," she said after a while. "Wash this whole day off."
"Go ahead. I'll be here."
She climbed off my lap, headed toward the bedroom and the attached bathroom. I heard the water start running a few minutes later.
I paced the cabin, too restless to sit. Added wood to the fire, watched the flames catch and spread. Checked my phone finally.
Seventeen missed calls. Forty-two texts.
I deleted them all except one. A text from Luca.
Landing in 20 minutes. On my way.
