His Darkest Salvation (Jaguar Warriors 3)

Jaxon slid into the seat beside Libby and his arm went around her shoulders almost immediately. Julian watched the way she rested her head on his chest, the way his brother pulled her into his embrace like she was a breakable.

The power of the engine accelerated, and the plane took off down the runway, leading them toward an uncertain future and a date with evil. Declan turned around and nailed him with a half smile, his eyes icy cold. “Been a slice, but glad the ride is almost over.”

Julian nodded ever so slightly, then pushed it all from his mind as he closed his eyes and pretended to sleep.

Jaden leaned back and forced her body to relax. She wasn’t tired, but her muscles ached with tension. She was wound so tight, it was a wonder she could even breathe.

That wasn’t a great way to start a mission. She needed to conserve her energy, not waste it fretting and freaking out. She had to keep her mind alert and free from distractions.

Though she wished Julian would move his ass to the other end of the plane. That would make it easier. His raw energy was intoxicating. He called to her on such a primal level that everything inside of her was aware of him. Of each breath he took. Of the long-as-sin lashes that fringed his eyes, the aristocratic nose and square chin.

She ached inside at the thought of him and her animal moved restlessly. The night she’d shared with Julian had been breathtaking. But the magic hadn’t lasted. He was already pulling away from her. Her jaguar was in turmoil, sensing the mixed signals Castille was swimming in and the coming battle. For so long her life had been about revenge and hatred, and, now that the end was near, what did that mean for her? What did she have to show for her efforts?

She had a family that was fractured—screwed up and dysfunctional didn’t even come close to describing her situation. Her father was an evil son of a bitch, and, sadly, her brothers were more than ready to fill his shoes. Never mind that they’d already lost the youngest DaCosta to battle.

She’d never had an adult relationship that was anything beyond fulfilling her body’s needs. Hell, her longest relationship had been with a cockatoo. Even that had failed. She was gone more than she was home, and eventually her maid had claimed the poor thing.

No strings . . . that had always been her motto.

Her gaze strayed to Julian. Until he came along. Boy, had she screwed up with him. What she wouldn’t give to turn back the clock and have that moment over. The one where she refused another drink and left the bar. Alone.

Choices. It was all about the choices. Unfortunately, when you fucked up, the consequences tended to bite you in the ass. Like being mated to a man who would never want to be with you, not in the way you wanted.

Sex wasn’t everything.

She gazed out into the bright sun and winced. It reflected off the stark, clear morning. Down below, the earth was covered in a white dream, and soon it would fade, give way to green and blue, then to the heat of the desert.

Las Vegas. Cormac had been hiding in plain sight for months. How in the hell had the bastard managed to keep that on the down low? Not just from PATU but from her father? He’d placed a huge bounty on O’Hara’s head months ago. Truthfully, nothing Cormac did surprised her. He was one hell of a slippery son of a bitch.

Jaden felt a tingle of something ripple across her skin. Apprehension? Fear? They said it was called Black Magick, Las Vegas’s newest casino. A fitting place, really, for the final battle.

She sank farther into her seat and stretched out her legs, taking care not to touch Julian’s. Though his eyes were closed, she knew he was awake. All around her, she heard muted voices, whispered words of love.

She supposed in times of crisis that was what you did, reached out for the one who mattered most. Seriously, she wished everyone would can the love crap and shut the hell up. It did nothing but leave her empty inside, aching, as she did everything in her power to ignore the man who sat across from her.

“You feel it.”

She turned her head slightly and arched an eyebrow at Nico. He looked tired, somewhat resigned.

“Feel what?” she asked, sitting a little straighter.

“The end,” he answered softly before turning toward his window.

Jaden shivered at the finality of his tone and once more sunk into her seat. She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to find what comfort she could.

She had a bad feeling about the coming hours, and she’d always learned to trust her instincts. Her tummy rolled beneath her fingers, and she closed her eyes as she broke out in a cold sweat.

A bad feeling indeed.

It was early afternoon when they deplaned. The airstrip they’d landed on was out in the middle of nowhere; however, there were two large SUVs waiting for them.

After the chill of the Canadian north, Jaden welcomed the warmth of the sun and took a few moments to drink in some vitamin D before following the others. She slipped in beside Julian, and though he nodded politely, there was no conversation. No touch or lingering glance.

His face was dark, and the tightness around his mouth spoke volumes. If she were a girl with issues, the cold shoulder would be a definite blow to the ego. As it was, it just fed the ball of nerves in her belly until her entire body was humming from the force of it.

Her teeth chattered, and she clamped her mouth shut. It was odd. She was in the middle of the freaking desert, and, still, she was trembling. No one spoke as the SUV started off, and though she’d wished for silence on the plane, here, now, it was heavy. Uncomfortable.

Her eyes followed the distant skyline, glancing past the sparse vegetation and brown earth as they sped down the highway. The desert was an unforgiving space, so different from the lush jungles of her home.