Page 60 of Phantom’s Mate

Jax said, “The idea was floated amongst my leadership team, but we decided, nah. I already put the word out, the dragon who fought on our side the other day took them back.” He hesitated, then said stiffly, “If you should happen to know who that was, tell him I said… thanks.” The last word needed a push, like he wasn’t used to saying it.

From the roof of the barn, a column of flame shot into the air. DB uncloaked himself, his bright green eyes shining like beacons in the darkness.

The men in the trucks shifted uneasily, but Jax didn’t move, except to nod to the dragon.

Brandon said quietly, “Your guys didn’t seem happy about giving this stuff up. Are you sure they’ll follow you?”

Jax bared his teeth, looking more like his old self. “I guess we’ll find out.”

Brandon nodded. “So what are you going to do now?”

Jax looked like he was debating telling Brandon to fuck off, but he finally said, “Try to get access to some of Raines’s company holdings. Paperwork says I’m the next CEO, but the Shifter Council froze everything after they heard what went down here the night Raines died. I’m filing with the Council for Last Chance Crew status, but it’s a long shot. If that doesn’t come through…” He shrugged. “I’ll think of something.”

Last Chance Crew status was for groups of problem shifters that the Council believed could be rehabilitated. It would mean they didn’t have to hide, and could use some of the frozen assets to live, and create legitimate businesses.

It could save the crew. Unfortunately, the biggest reason they probably wouldn’t get it was the fact that Brandon’s and the twins’ families had strong allies on the Shifter Council and in high-level positions on the Council Enforcers—and they were pissed because Raines and the clan had tried to kill the Wild Bloods.

Nick was sure Jax knew that, but he didn’t try to bargain.

Instead he said, “Well, this has been absolutely no fun at all, so we’re gonna go now. We’ll stay away from you, if you stay away from us.”

Brandon nodded. “Done. Unless…”

“Yeah, yeah. I know.” Jax started to turn away, and then faced Brandon again. “Listen,” he said. “Tell the polar bear that—” He broke off. “Ah, fuck. Raines had us under compulsion, up in his village, but we did what we did. There’s no coming back from that, but for what it’s worth, I’m sorry.”

Nick left the crew right after Jax did, heading through the spirit world to a spot along the road just before the curve that led into Britt’s domain.

Jax was once again alone in the cab, the other truck leading.

Nick materialized into his passenger seat just as Jax rounded the curve and Britt’s vortex pulled him in. They careened down the hill, headed for the tree, but Nick pulled the nose of the truck back on the road just like he’d done with the Catalina.

And like Titan had done, Jax pulled off the road just around the bend and sat there for a minute, gripping the wheel and breathing hard.

Then he caught sight of Nick and did a double take. “Shit,” he said. “What the hell was that?”

“Leftover anger and regret,” Nick said. “That someone took to the grave, because she couldn’t let go of it.”

“Or you, trying to make me crash the truck?”

“If I was still planning on killing you, I would have done it two days ago.”

“That was you, in the woods. I thought I was hallucinating.”

Nick gave him a feral grin. “Sorry, no.”

“Damn. Well, why don’t you fucking go into the light, already?”

“Dude. I’ve met the panther god. Not sure I want to spend an eternity with him. Besides, it’s so much more fun here.”

“Fuck. Me. Don’t tell me you’re going to haunt me forever.”

“Just now and then. I’m kind of busy haunting Brandon.”

Jax started laughing, but there was a slightly hysterical edge to it. “You really did save my life the other day, didn’t you.”

“Yep.”

“Why?”