“If you want to leave here and start fresh, I understand.” Jesse moved as if to reach out and touch Ian, then let his hand drop. “Peter’s right, I have killed people. And even if I believe that they deserved what they got, I’m not God. I don’t get to decide.”
Ian should probably be horrified, or at least a little concerned, but all he could think about right now was Jesse fighting Peter and possibly losing.
“Don’t do it,” he whispered, moving as close as he could. “Not for any of the bollocks Peter just spouted, but—” How did he tell Jesse he didn’t want him to get hurt without it sounding like he had no faith in his ability to fight Peter?
Peter’s laughter was like nails on a chalkboard. “He thinks you’ll lose.”
“No, I—”
“It’s okay, Ian.” Jesse’s smile was tinged with sadness. “I know you’ve seen how ruthless Peter can be, but believe me, he won’t win.” The conviction in his voice went a little way to soothing Ian’s worries, but Peter was...Peter.A cold-blooded sadistic killer with none of Jesse’s gentleness or compassion. “Trust me. I can do this.”
He wanted to, so badly, but... Swallowing his fear, Ian nodded. “Okay.” Jesse’s answering smile warmed him through to the tips of his fingers, and pain be damned he needed to touch him. The bars were too close together for Ian to fit his whole hand through, so he gripped the metal, hissing at the sharp sting, but when Jesse’s hands closed over his, the pain melted away, and all he felt was Jesse’s skin against his. “I trust you.”
LEAVING JESSE behind at the VLCD headquarters went against every instinct Jesse had, but he had no choice other than to let Liam take him back to the house.
“You know,” Liam said as he turned to lead them out. “Surely they have something here that could restrain Ian enough to let him stay.”
“Liam,” Raph warned, stopping and turning to glare at him.
“No, hear me out.” He spared Ian a soft smile. “If you were in Ian’s position, would you want to leave?”
“No, but—” He ran a hand through his hair. “Fuck.”
Ian looked between them, barely daring to hope.
Raph muttered something under his breath, then pulled out his phone. “Wait here.”
He walked off around the corner, busy texting, and Ian felt a rush of both excitement and nerves. “Does that mean I get to stay?”
Liam put a hand on his arm. “Yeah. If Raph can arrange it.” He gave Ian a knowing look. “You ready for this?”
“No.” Ian shook his head. Every part of him wanted to stay close to Jesse, but that didn’t mean he knew what to expect.
“It’s going to be like nothing you’ve seen, Ian, I won’t lie. For all Jesse’s gentleness, he’ll have to be as vicious as Peter—more so—if he wants to stay alive.” He gave Ian’s arm a squeeze. “But I reckon not being here, not knowing what’s happening, has got to be worse.”
“Yeah.” Ian didn’t know what else to say. He couldn’t picture Jesse as a vicious killer and wasn’t sure he wanted to either... But he wanted Jesse to live.
Raph appeared ten minutes later, three guards in tow. He stopped in front of them and faced Ian. “Come with me.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Jesse was ready when they came for him.
But he wasn’t expecting to see Lys amongst the guards.
At his confused look, she shrugged. “Apparently the ancient law you invoked calls for each combatant to have asecond.” She gestured to herself. “And I’m yours.”
Jesse couldn’t think of anyone else he’d rather have by his side going into this.
Except Ian.But he was long gone by this time.
She fell into step beside them as the guards ushered him out. He’d got so used to having guns trained on him, he hardly noticed them anymore. “He’s got years of experience on you,” she muttered.
“I’m aware,” Jesse answered, shooting her a glare.
“And he’s a vicious psychopath in case that had escaped your notice.”
“I know, and you’re not helping.”
