Page 57 of Savage Games

“I had a hot date.”

He doesn’t return my smile, but tilts his head and takes a slight inhale.“Naomi’s your mate.”

I nod, and his jaw clenches as he stares into the distance, expression grim.

That’s when I know.This isn’t just a casual visit, something’s wrong.He knows something that I don’t.

I straighten, the lingering peace of the morning slipping away, replaced by sharp awareness.

“What is it?”

Jax doesn’t answer right away.His gaze flicks toward the trees where Naomi disappeared, then back to me.Whatever he’s about to say, it’s big enough that he’s afraid to burst my bubble.

“I found Maddie.”

Everything inside me stills.“Is she okay?”

Naomi will be broken if anything has happened to her sister.From the fragments she's shared, and the tension that creeps into her voice whenever she mentions Maddie, I know how fiercely she protects her.And she might not be impressed with Jamie sending someone to investigate behind her back.

I should have told her.

Jax hesitates, shifting his weight like his body can’t stay still.“Why don’t you ask her yourself?She’s here.”

21

Wyatt

“She’s what?”

I blink, stunned by Jax's revelation.The fog swirls between us, and a chill runs down my spine that has nothing to do with the morning air.

I just wanted to find out what was going on, not kidnap her.

“I couldn’t leave her there, Wyatt.That pack, there was such a weird vibe.They're all afraid.That pack…" Jax's face contorts with disgust."You should have seen it.The pack members move around like they're afraid of their own shadows, speaking in whispers, eyes downcast.”

That’s not right.

"No one would talk to me directly.I pretended to be there on Dean’s behalf.Top secret, of course, checking up on Naomi's background because she’s made it so far.They didn’t really say anything, but…”

Jax looks nervous.

“But what?”I press, needing to hear it no matter what it is.

“It… There are rumours that Maddie’s mate’s death wasn’t an accident.That she killed him.”

I wasn’t expecting that.

Jax shifts his weight from one foot to the other before he comes closer and lowers himself onto a fallen truck to sit, hands now resting on his knees.

I don’t sit.I just stare at him, my pulse ticking faster as my instincts brace for impact.

Jax drags a hand through his messy hair, jaw clenched tight.“Maddie’s tiny, Wyatt.I mean, a stiff wind would blow her over tiny.I was asking around, and… nobody thinks she could have done it alone.”

The words hit like a punch to the gut.

I blink.“What?”

Jax lifts his gaze from the ground to meet mine, looking just as rattled as I feel.

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