She was suddenly filled with such longing for home that it brought tears to her eyes. The jungle had always been the place she ran to when she needed to escape the shit reality of her life. This time was no different. She felt as if she was on the precipice. That the darkness she’d been chasing for years was no longer on the horizon but had bled into the here and now.
She closed her eyes and let her mind wander. You’re not in Kansas anymore.
They drove for over an hour in silence, and when they finally stopped, Jaden jumped out quickly, needing to be away from Julian. His dark eyes had flattened to a dull opaque, and she felt his power coiled tightly around him. His energy was dark and agitated her cat something fierce.
Her jaguar was scratching hard, the burn was uncomfortable, and she walked a bit, shaking out her limbs in an effort to calm her nerves. They’d driven underground, into what appeared to be a bunker at first, but instead led to a secure facility controlled by PATU.
She stretched in quick, precise motions and felt a sense of pride as she eyed her crew. They’d all been touched by the evil of Cormac and had vowed to end his reign. It would happen. Tonight.
“You all right?”
Nico stood a few feet from her, his shoulders held stiffly, his hands clenched at his sides.
“Not really,” she answered, a smile tugging the corners of her mouth as his dark gaze rested on her. She raised an eyebrow. “You?”
The shifter stared at her, his handsome face devoid of emotion. He loosened his body and rotated his powerful shoulders. He ignored her question and answered with one of his own. “You and Cast
ille . . . has he acknowledged your claim?”
Jaden felt her cheeks burn hot under the warrior’s intense glare.
“Will he not honor you as his mate?”
Christ, like she had time for this shit. Irritation colored her words in sarcasm. “My God, Nico, don’t confuse me with Jane and go all Tarzan on me. That’s not the way it works.”
He frowned. “Actually, that’s exactly how it works.”
Jaden blew out an exasperated breath and closed the space between them. Sometimes the jaguar warrior’s Neanderthal outlook irritated the crap out of her. She supposed they couldn’t help it, really. It was part of the genetic code. “It doesn’t matter, Nico, do you understand? Whatever happens between me and Julian should not matter to you.”
Nico hissed, and she sensed his anger but pushed forward, knowing it was not the time to dance around his feelings. Besides, he’d started it.
“There will never be anything between us, not the way you want. You need to listen and understand, Nico. I don’t love you. I don’t want you as a mate.” I already have one.
She thumped him in the chest. “You think you have these feelings for me, but you’ve never gotten over Bella.” She grabbed his hand, hating the way he held himself so stiffly. Hating the way her words hurt him. “You still love Bella, and until you come to terms with what happened, with how she died, you’ll never be able to move forward.” She had to make him see. “You say that Julian is using me? How is that any different from you wanting me as a replacement for a dead woman?”
He wrenched his hand from her and took a step back. “You would preach to me about moving forward when you’re fucking the man who threw you away like nothing more than a piece of garbage three years ago?”
His voice echoed against the concrete, and Jaden was aware that she and Nico were the focus of everyone.
They’d heard his words. Julian must have heard his words. Jaden swallowed thickly. She couldn’t deny the fact that the man was right.
Nico’s face was thunderous as he plunged on. “It is unacceptable to me that you’d settle for him.” He tossed a dark look toward Julian and growled before his voice fell to a whisper. “I would give you everything.”
Jaden felt defeated as she looked up into Nico’s eyes.
Defeated, hurt, and humiliated. “When a warrior mates, the bond is something that is not easily broken. You, more than anyone, know that.” She stepped back, and her voice hardened. “My personal life is none of your business. Who I screw is none of your business. This isn’t a reality show, Nico, it’s the real deal. Life and death. Understood?”
His lips pulled back in a snarl. “I will do whatever it takes to make sure we are successful tonight. Once this is over, I’m gone.” He looked away, his nostrils flared as his face once more resumed its blank look. “The jungle calls. I should never have left.”
He walked away and left her there, alone with the weight of all their stares at her back.
Her cheeks burned, she felt the sting as they flushed red. Nothing like starting a mission on the heels of chaos.
Jaden inhaled quickly and shook out her long hair before turning toward Julian. His eyes were averted though he faced her from several feet way with Declan and Finn. She crossed to them, quickly aware that the vampire Ana’s eyes followed her as she did so.
“Let’s do this,” she said to Declan.
The sorcerer cocked his head as he looked behind her. “You better keep that kitty leashed.”