“Fynn is my responsibility.”
“You sound like a concerned parent rather than a Blade,” I joke, but the words turn his expression raw.
“Jax?” His scent sours—determination mixing with fear. Dread coils in my stomach. What isn’t he saying?
He stands taller. “The missing boy. Fynn. I’m adopting him.”
His admission is a syringe of adrenaline. “What?”
“Anselm and I decided six months ago. It started with supervised visits, and we completed the final paperwork this week. I wanted to tell you immediately, but I was afraid you’d talk me out of it. You know me better than anyone. If you said I was making a mistake, I would believe you. So, instead of being upfront and sharing the big news, I kept it to myself, and it really messed with my head. I even asked Anselm not to come tonight so I could break the news without him there in case you all reacted badly.”
Oh my gods. How did I think Jaxson was upset because Anselm dumped him? I thought he was going to confess he was still in love with me. How self-centered am I? Vane must have known about Fynn. Is that why he was so determined Jax and I talk? I want to bury my head in the mud.
“I’m sorry,” I manage past my fangs. “I’m sorry you would even think I would tell you that adopting a child with your boyfriend is a mistake. That’s not how I feel at all.”
“You always said I ran from responsibility.” His heart rate spikes. “After seeing you all tonight, I started worrying that I’m not fit to be a dad. My parents divorced when I was fifteen. My brothers are lucky they didn’t end up on milk cartons.”
A hollow ache expands in my belly. “Jax, anyone can see you’ve grown up.”
“Tell that to Wilder and the others.”
“Wilder sees it, too.” My chest tightens. “Come with me to Mictlan. Save Fynn. Be his hero.”
Jax pauses, then shakes his head. “There’s power in numbers. If we can persuade the others to go against Wendy and Soter?—”
“Jaxson!” Soter’s voice cuts through the trees.
Jax frowns. “Trust me, Desiree. This will work. I’m not risking their lives. We do this right.”
I get it. He’s trying to be responsible for Fynn. I need to respect that.
“Jaxson,” Soter screams again.
“Go,” I tell him, needing a moment alone. “I’ll be right behind you.”
Jax hesitates. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, Desi. I hope this doesn’t change things between us.”
“It won’t.”
My vampire heart swells for him as I watch him walk away, fully knowing he will be every bit of the father he strives to be. I’m barely alone a minute before I sense Vane’s presence. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up, as they always do when he’s nearby.
“I know you’re there.”
Vane steps into the moonlight, his dark brows furrowing with worry. “Are you okay?”
I inhale a deep breath. “Yes.”
“I know when you are lying.”
Shaking my head, I say, “I’m fine. I am just embarrassed. I thought Jaxson was acting weird because he was going to tell me he still had feelings for me. I never expected he was going to tell me he was adopting a child.”
“He’s growing up.”
I rub my chest. My heart hurts. “He is, and it’s without me.”
“It was bound to happen eventually.”
“I didn’t expect it to happen so soon, and with Wilder missing, I feel like I’ve lost them both.”
