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“I care because someone let you out from wherever the hell it is you were.?
?? Jaxon’s face was fierce. “Nothing is coincidence. I’m assuming that someone wants something from you in exchange for your freedom.”
Julian’s gut clenched. His brother was a smart son of a bitch. He narrowed his eyes and the anger inside of him burned hard.
“And you!” Jaxon’s furious eyes leveled a dark look onto Jaden. “You are part of PATU. We’ve worked together. What’s your role in all of this? Can we really trust you? Or does the DaCosta blood that I can smell from here taint you the same way it’s painted your family in darkness.”
The animal inside Julian bellowed in rage, and he snarled, his body a blur, as he reached for his brother. His vision narrowed until he saw red, so great was the anger inside of him.
She was there, her body slipping into the space between them, preventing him from getting to Jaxon. His canines erupted painfully, and the darkness that always circled the edges of his mind expanded until he began to pant loudly. He was riding the edge, and, for the moment, it looked inviting as all hell.
His eyes looked deep into his brother’s, and he knew that in that moment, if not for Jaden, he would have done everything in his power to rip Jaxon’s throat out. He envisioned it, clear as day, and smiled wickedly at the thought.
He felt the animal beneath his skin shift, felt the claws that had erupted. A growl rumbled, low, from his belly, and he heard Declan swearing, inventing new words as he tried to calm the animal.
His energy changed and he turned his head, pinning the sorcerer with a furious look. “Stand back and don’t try your fucking mojo on me.”
Declan’s face was tight, but he nodded and fell back.
It was then that he smelled the blood, and, instantly, the madness faded as he looked down at Jaden. In his rush to get to Jaxon, she’d stepped in the way of his claws. Even though he’d not shifted, the tips of his fingers had become razor-sharp, and he’d pierced the flesh of her shoulder.
“I’m fine,” she whispered. “It’s nothing Julian, really.”
He felt like the worst kind of bastard ever and snarled at his brother once more though he knew there was no one to blame but himself. His control was leaving fast, and if he didn’t get it together . . .
She grabbed his chin and forced him to look into her eyes. They were huge, intense. He noticed for the first time small golden flecks that surrounded the irises. Funny he’d not noticed before, but then again, it’s not like they’d had a normal relationship.
There’d been no romance. No courting. Declan was right—it had all been about the sex. For a second, he thought it would be nice to romance the woman in front of him.
“Are you okay?” The words fell from her lips like soft whispers, and the concern in her eyes couldn’t be hidden. “I need for you to be okay. I need to know that you’re not gonna go all ape-shit on me before we get this done.” She moistened her lips and tried to smile. “We can do this, Julian, but not by fighting amongst ourselves.”
She gently pushed him away, and he let her, watched as she turned to his brother and flicked a long piece of hair behind her shoulder. He focused on the silky strand, feeling the wash of madness leave him as he did so, and his heart slowed, beating in a more normal manner.
Jaden squared her shoulders and faced his brother like the fierce warrior she was. Something melted inside of him, a piece of ice that broke from the darkness.
“I will not have you question my loyalty, Jaxon.” She paused, and Julian’s gaze settled onto Jaxon’s intense features. He knew what his brother had lost. What the DaCostas had done to Libby.
When had the world become so twisted and dark?
“I’ll forgive your harsh words. I know that my family has done much to deserve your hatred and disgust. So you can imagine how I feel.” He heard her blow out a long breath. “Because you’re right.” She shook her head, and her hands waved wildly in the air. “We do share the same blood. I am a DaCosta. Jakobi is my father, I can’t change that.” Her voice dropped to just above a whisper. “But I’m also DeCruz, and my mother’s blood is pure and strong, and I’m filled with the power of her people.”
Julian stepped forward until he was beside Jaden. He was calm, the beast had been beaten back, his resolve was firm.
“You will show her the respect she deserves.” He spoke sharply and arched an eyebrow as he stared into his brother’s eyes.
Jaxon frowned and opened his mouth to speak, but Declan cut him off.
“Christ, we all agree Jaden’s one of the good guys. We trust her. Now can we get the hell out of here? Are we not wheels up in less than an hour?”
Jaxon nodded and turned to the sorcerer. “If anything happens that jeopardizes my team, my family, I will hold you personally responsible, O’Hara. Understood?”
Declan flashed a smile and turned away. “Yeah, no worries, my friend.”
Jaxon’s gaze fell to Jaden. “I meant no disrespect. I know you’ve sacrificed a lot, I just . . .” He paused for several seconds. “I have a son now, and I can’t risk his future or the future of every single human on this planet. What we do will affect all of them. I need to know we’re on the same page.”
Jaden nodded. “We are.”
His eyes narrowed, and he looked to his brother. “Okay.” Jaxon held out his hand, and Julian slowly grasped it tightly. His brother’s grip was strong. “Don’t make me regret trusting you,” Jaxon said.
