Page 15

Silence stretches between us, thick and heavy. When I finally look up, Ari’s horror makes me flinch. He looks at me like I am a stranger, a broken doll sitting in the ruins of a life I used to fight for.

“Liv...” His voice is without its usual easy charm. Just pure, agonizing pity. “That’s the trauma talking. It’s a survival mechanism. Stockholm syndrome. We will fix this when we get you home.”

He thinks I am weak. He thinks he can resist. I recognize that stubborn glint in his eyes. I wore the same expression the first week I was here.

The heavy deadbolts on the door echo through the suite.

Clack. Clack. Clack.

My entire body reacts before my mind can catch up. My pulse skyrockets, heat pooling low in my belly, intertwining with a spike of sheer, visceral terror. My skin flushes. A pathetic whimper gets caught in my throat. I hate myself for the instant arousal, hate that Ari is standing right there to witness my absolute subjugation, but I can’t stop it. After eight weeks, even the sound of his key makes me ache for him. Jax is the master, and my body is his instrument.

The heavy door swings open.

Jax steps into the room. He is immaculate. He wears a tailored charcoal suit that clings to his broad shoulders, radiating absolute authority and lethal calm. He doesn’t hold a weapon. He doesn’t need one. His very presence sucks the oxygen from the room.

He offers Ari a polite, civilized smile, the kind a gracious host gives a dinner guest.

“Ari Carter. I trust you’ve had enough time to appreciate my hospitality.”

Ari lunges. He moves with the lethal speed of a trained Viper, closing the distance and reaching for Jax’s throat.

Jax shifts his weight, catches Ari’s wrist, and twists it with a sickening pop. Ari grunts, dropping to one knee, but throws his other fist forward. Jax blocks it effortlessly, grabs Ari by the collar of his shirt, and slams him back against the reinforced wall. The impact shakes the room.

Jax smooths his lapel, barely breathing hard. He steps closer to Ari, trailing his fingers along Ari’s strong jawline. It is a casual, intimate touch.

Ari jerks his head away, spitting blood onto the carpet.

Jax just chuckles, low and dark. He turns his back on the Viper, his dark eyes locking onto mine.

“Liv. Come here.”

The command is soft. Unyielding.

Ari looks at me and shakes his head. Don’t do it, his eyes scream.

My body moves on autopilot. I rise from the chair, my bare feet sinking into the plush carpet, and cross the room. I stop inches from Jax, lowering my eyes to his polished dress shoes. Shame burns a fiery path down my neck, incinerating my pride.

Jax reaches out and cups my cheek. His thumb brushes over my lower lip.

“Good girl,” he murmurs.

A traitorous warmth floods my chest at the praise. I lean into his palm, seeking his heat, desperate for his approval. I hear Ari suck in a sharp, horrified breath behind us.

“We have a new arrangement,” Jax announces, his voice echoing in the quiet room. He trails his hand down my neck, his fingers resting over my pounding pulse. “You will return to your own quarters, Ari. But from now on, we’ll spend time together, too. All three of us.”

Jax looks over his shoulder at Ari, his eyes glinting with a depraved hunger. “I have quite the curriculum planned. It’s been a long time since I had two such... exquisite canvases to work with.”

“Go to hell,” Ari snarls, pushing himself off the wall. “You touch her again, I’ll tear your throat out.”

Jax moves faster than my eyes can track. One second he is stroking my neck, the next he has Ari by the hair, forcing him violently to his knees. Ari struggles, his hands coming up to grip Jax’s thick forearm, but Jax’s hold is immovable. He yanks Ari’s head back, exposing his throat.

The civilized mask slips, revealing the absolute monster underneath.

“Let’s establish the rules, Mr. Carter,” Jax sneers, his voice dropping to a low growl. “Obedience is rewarded. Resistance is punished. But you’re stubborn, and pain means very little to you. So, when you disobey me...” Jax’s eyes flick to me. “Liv pays the price.”

Ari’s eyes widen as panic finally pierces his anger. “Leave her out of this!”

“She is the center of this,” Jax corrects smoothly. Keeping one hand twisted in Ari’s hair, keeping him anchored to the floor, Jax extends his other hand toward me. “Come.”