“I can tell them I got spooked, that I thought someone was following me and backed out before I was caught,” Jade offered.
“And how are you going to explain your meeting with me?” Keira asked.
“I could tell Viktor that I knew I’d screwed up, and the only way to get back in their good graces was to get the scoop on you—where you were holed up, and how they could capture you.”
Keira considered her proposal. “That might buy you some time, but that doesn’t get us through the door.” She stepped away from the table and paced across the kitchen.
Jade let out a frustrated breath. “Either way, I’m going in. They have my sister. I won’t leave her there for them to kill her.”
“You’re not going in without a plan to get us in as well,” Keira said.
“What plan? We have yet to come up with one,” Jade said, her voice raised, her eyes flashing. She pushed to her feet. “It’s my sister. I won’t leave her to die.”
Her words hit Keira like a sucker punch to the gut. She reeled backward, her hands bunching into fists. “Like I let my sister die? Is that what you’re inferring?”
“I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.” Jade glared at Keira. “All I know is that I won’t leave my sister to those animals.”
Anger swept through Keira like a flashover. Her hatred at being betrayed by Onyx, her hatred for the teenager who’d raped her, the hatred she’d felt for the men who’d drugged her and killed her sister bubbled up inside. Most of all, her self-loathing for failing her sister threatened to consume her. She wanted to lash out. Hit something. Someone.
Rogue stepped between her and Jade. “Look,” he said. “It’s late, we’ve been at it too long. Why don’t we call it a night, get some air or get some sleep and start fresh in the morning?”
“I’m all for that,” Jade said, still glaring at Keira. “It’s stuffy in here.” She walked past Keira and out through the front door.
Rogue remained standing in front of Keira.
She breathed in and out, willing the heat of her anger to cool. As it did, she realized her reaction had been completely blown out of proportion. Her shoulders sagged, and she scrubbed a hand over her face. “I lost it. I took her comment about not leaving her sister personally, and I shouldn’t have. She doesn’t know. I never told anyone at Onyx. God, I’m sorry.”
Rogue tipped her chin up and stared down into her eyes. “Don’t tell me. Tell Jade.”
Keira met his gaze and nodded. “You’re right. She has enough to worry about. She doesn’t need a member of her own team lashing out at her.”
Rogue stepped back, making room for Keira to pass.
She walked out of the cabin and out onto the porch, where Jade leaned against the rail.
“Jade,” she whispered.
“What?” Jade responded, her tone flat. “Did you come out to yell at me? I got enough of that at Onyx. I don’t need it from you.”
Keira stepped up beside her and stared out at the stars. “I’m sorry I yelled. It was uncalled for. I completely understand how desperate you are to rescue your sister.”
“How could you understand? Your sister isn’t being held hostage.”
Tears welled in Keira’s eyes. “You’re right because my sister is dead.”
Jade’s head snapped around, her gaze locking with Keira’s. “Oh, hell. I’m so sorry. Did they kill her? Did Viktor kill your sister?”
Tears slipped silently down Keira’s cheeks as she shook her head. “No. Because I couldn’t protect her, she died. I should’ve done better by her, but I didn’t.” She touched Jade’s arm. “I promise, I’ll do everything in my power to free your sister. I don’t want you to live through the pain of losing someone you love and promised to protect.”
Jade’s eyes filled with tears. “I love Lily. She’s all I have.”
“My sister was all I had.”
Jade fell against Keira.
Keira wrapped her arms around her and held her.
When her tears dried, Jade leaned back, her eyes round and watery. “What if I screw up. What if I freeze? What if they kill her anyway?”
