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“So that’s it? We done here?” Ethan Crane arched a brow.
Jagger glanced around. “Our objective was to destroy the portal. With Azaiel returning to the upper realm, I think we’re good.” He slipped his arms around Skye’s midsection and pulled her in close. “We’re headed back to Jersey. As for the rest of you, I really don’t give a damn.”
Crane nodded toward Julian. “No hard feelings. I wasn’t aiming for your lady.”
“Let’s take Ana home.” Libby’s soft voice drew their attention.
“I can’t believe she’s dead,” Jaden whispered. “And Declan, did you see his face? How can he recover from that? He loved her. I hope she knew.”
Julian watched as Jaxon scooped up the vampire’s lifeless form and turned toward the door.
“Will Declan be all right? Will we ever see him again?” Jaden murmured.
Julian shook his head. “I have no idea.”
“Let’s go. I’ve got operatives near the kitchen entrance. We can make our way out with the least amount of visibility.” Jaxon’s voice was wooden. Ana had been a member of his team for years. He’d just lost family. “Good work, everyone. We’re done here.”
Julian nodded. “Jaden needs a doctor.”
“You coming back to base?” Jaxon asked.
“For now, but once Jaden’s been looked after . . .”
“We’ll head home . . . to Mexico,” she finished.
“You’ve still got brothers out there, members of the DaCosta organization who will be gunning for your ass.” Jaxon frowned. “I think the compound in Canada will be safer.”
“No,” Jaden said firmly, “my home is in the jungle. They will not defeat me.” Her voice shook, and Julian’s heart turned over.
“We’ll be fine,” Julian said. “And if needed, I know you’ve got our backs.”
Jaxon nodded. “Always.”
He watched as Jaxon disappeared. Home. Funny that thought, one that wasn’t solitary but included the lady in his arms.
The jungle. Hot nights and a woman who completed him.
It was so simple . . . and it was all he needed.
Epilogue
The darkness pressed down on her. She felt it, along the edges of her mind and didn’t want to open her eyes. But the hunger inside was near consuming and, in the end, forced her awake.
Layers of blackness had to be dealt with, and she worked feverishly to tear them down. Satin, wood, concrete, then the cool touch of earth.
Within minutes, moonbeams caressed her face, and she inhaled great gulps of air deep into her lungs. Which hurt, as if ill used.
In fact, her entire body ached.
And there was the thirst. It was constant and pushed her on until she clawed her way out and fell upon the cold, frozen ground.
“Hello, Ana.”
She jerked up, her head twisting to the side as she sought the voice that slid from the darkness.
“Who?” she croaked, her vocal cords sore.
“Ah, I’m not surprised you don’t remember, but do try . . .”
