Page 39 of A Spark in the Ash

I never would have expected him to be quite this nervous about seeing his mom again. He’s kind of freaking out.

A door opens and Blake, Jaxon’s oldest brother, steps out.

“Well, there is the prodigal son,” he says. He looks annoyed and angry, and it makes everything in me bristle. “I think you might have forgotten who you were for a bit there, Jaxon.”

My husband opens his mouth to defend himself, but just then, Chantel also steps out into the living area. “So, you really did it? Went off and married someone you met four weeks ago?”

“Nice to see you too, brother- and sister-in-law,” I say with a smug smile.

I need to be careful. These are dangerous people. But I’m down for a little danger right now. Especially when it comes to laying claim on Jaxon.

But Jaxon’s breathing hitches sharper, and the next moment, I hear the sound of heels clicking on marble.

I look over and see Vivian Gray step out of her office.

Everything about Jaxon’s body locks up. His shoulders go rigid. His arms stiffen. His eyes lock on her with an intensity I’ve never seen in them before.

And suddenly his hand, which is wrapped around mine, is sonically hot. I drop it instinctively and look down.

Light has splintered all over it, and I can already see the heat rising from his skin.

What the hell?

Nowhe’s starting to lose control?

I step forward a bit, blocking the sight of his hand from the view of his family.

Jaxon breathes harder, harsh and loud, as it rips in and out of his nostrils.

Crap. Crap, crap, crap.

He’s going to lose control here, right in front of his family. And then what do we do?

“Welcome home,” Vivian says. As always, her tone is cool and even, always in absolute control. “I trust you had a nice visit with your family, Serena?”

“It was wonderful,” I answer smoothly, even though my brain is playing through all the different ways this might go down. “They were so excited and happy to see us. They took quite a liking to Jaxon.”

Vivian’s eyes shift over to her son and narrow slightly. “Are you feeling okay, Jaxon? You look a little…off.”

His jaw is clenched so tight I’m sure all of his teeth are cracking in his mouth. He lets out another hard breath through his nostrils. He’s pausing way too long.

“I’m fine,” he says through slightly clenched teeth.

Every single one of his family members stares at him with narrowed eyes.

Jaxon is an exceptionally good liar, so they can tell something is obviously amiss.

I wish I knew what the hell was going on with him.

“So, are congratulations in order?” Vivian asks. Her left eyebrow arches just slightly.

I don’t know what is going on with Jaxon right now, but obviously he can’t get it together right now. I have to step up and take control of the situation right now before it gets any worse.

So I put on a bright, proud smile. I step forward just one step, drawing the attention to me, and hold up my left hand. “The deal was sealed last night. He can’t get rid of me now.”

“Way to go, Jaxon,” Blake teases. “You pinned down the queen of the dark.”

Jaxon’s eyes slide over to his older brother, but he doesn’t even crack a smile.

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