Page 74 of Twisted Devotion

I grin at him. “No. Sorry. I think I’m just wired from everything that happened.”

He nods, lifting his hand to my cheek and caressing it gently. “How would you feel about a trip to the hot tub?”

“That sounds amazing right now.” I move to sit up, and my core aches. “Though you might need to carry me.”

The corner of his mouth kicks up as if he’s proud of himself, and I roll my eyes.

“Why don’t you shift?” he asks.

“I don’t like the way it makes me feel,” I say with a shrug.

“Do you feel the same when someone else does it with you? Like when I brought you here?”

I try to think back. “I don’t think so. At least, not that I remember. You did distract me pretty much as soon as we got here, though.”

“Fair enough,” he says. “Close your eyes.”

I comply and wait as he wraps his arms around me. There’s a blast of wind, warm and gentle, and then more intense warmth. I open my eyes to find us in the hot tub.

“You okay?”

I nod. “Apparently the weird feeling only happens whenIshift. Interesting.”

Jackson’s eyes soften with adoration as he turns me around and pulls me back against his chest. He lowers us to the seat and kisses the side of my neck. “What a day, huh, Red?”

I laugh softly. “That’s one way of putting it.”

The following morning, Jackson and I head over to the Westbrook to meet with the others.

Nikolai had texted us last night to confirm the plan was a success, so we didn’t worry about going over then. Instead, we spent the rest of the night in the hot tub and Jackson’s bed. Needless to say, the energy I stole from that guy was used up before I fell asleep in Jax’s arms.

Now, sitting in one of the conference rooms in the hotel office with my fingers wrapped around a coffee mug, I’m fighting off an onslaught of yawns as we wait for Skylar and Nikolai to arrive.

Soon enough, they come into the room and sit across from me and Jackson.

“As you know,” Nikolai starts, “everything went smoothly yesterday.” He catches my gaze. “There were a few hiccups, but nothing we weren’t prepared for.”

My cheeks flush, and Jackson rests his hand on my thigh, turning it over so I can slide my fingers through his.

“The men responsible for the deaths of your foster family have turned themselves in and will be receiving life sentences. We’ve made sure of that.”

I don’t want to know how they did, I’m just glad to hear it.

“Are there any questions before we move on to the next matter?” Nikolai asks.

I arch a brow. “The next matter?”

“Yes,” Nik says. “We’ll need to introduce a new security plan upon your exit next month.”

Oh. Right.

Skylar chimes in at this point. “We haven’t received notice of any real threats, so we’re more confident that Jackson will be able to live safely without a personal guard moving forward at this time. He’ll still have his usual security team at home and at the facility, and one of three high-level guards with him at all times on a rotating schedule.”

Jackson traces circles with this thumb on the back of my hand as we both listen.

My chest tightens upon hearing their plan for Jackson after I’m gone. He’ll be safe, but the thought of him not needing me around has me feeling conflicted.

“Your final payment has been deposited into your account as well as a ten-thousand-dollar bonus as requested by Mr. Hawthorne. The final weeks of your placement will be used to familiarize the new team with Jackson’s schedule. Are you okay with assisting in the transition?” Skylar asks.

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