Page 14 of Double or Nothing
So much has happened since then.
I can’t imagine runningfromVulcan now, when all I want to do is runtohim.
In some weird way, it feels as if my true authentic life began the day they kidnapped me from the casino. Up to that point, I’d been plodding along with no true purpose or feeling of belonging anywhere.
Now my home is not a physical place.
Home is where these three men are.
My heart starts beating fast when Leroy pulls the limo to a stop. Up ahead in the glow of the RV’s floodlights, I spot Vulcan and Kit standing there waiting for us. A flood of conflicting emotions washes over me.
Before Seven can stop me, I jerk the door open and jump out. The night is chilly, and the wind whips through my hair as I leap from the limo and sprint towards Vulcan. As I draw closer, I can make out the lines of worry etched into his face, his dark eyes filled with a storm of emotions.
I’m so fucking furious with him right now. How dare he take a chance with his life when he has so much to live for?
Before I realize what I’m doing, I slap his face as hard as I can, the shocking sound of the impact ringing out loudly in the silence.
My breathing comes out in ragged gasps, my chest tight with a mixture of anger and fear. My heart races, pounding in my ears as I prepare to strike Vulcan again, my hand shaking with the force of my emotions. The air around us crackles with tension, a palpable energy that threatens to consume us all.
Vulcan remains perfectly still, his expression inscrutable, not flinching away from the next potential blow.
It's in that moment, as I stand there with my hand raised, that I realize just how much these men mean to me.
And how much I'm willing to fight for them, no matter what the cost.
Vulcan stands there silently watching me, his eyes giving away nothing, his arms at his side. When he doesn’t react or do anything to protect himself, my eyes unexpectedly flood with tears, and I slap him hard again.
“Dammit, Vulcan!” I shout.
I’m so angry at him, and so damn terrifiedforhim.
The thought of losing him scares me more than I can believe. I’m trying my best to snap him out of whatever hell he’s in, but he’s just standing there, staring at me.
Why the fuck isn’t he trying to protect himself?
6
VULCAN
Ifailed Jade, and she knows it.
I’ve been dreading this moment since Kit killed the Russian.
When Jade and I were in the cave, I swore to be her executioner if anyone dared to harm her, and I meant it. I wanted and needed that honor more than anything.
Instead, I fucked up everything.
I’ve let her down and now feel nothing but shame.
It’s taking everything in me to return her gaze without flinching, but I won’t back away from her anger or disgust with me. I wasn’t surprised when the first thing she did was run over and slap me. Anything she wants to throw at me, I deserve tenfold.
Any punishment, any pain.
Anything as long as she doesn’t banish me from her life forever.
The heat of her anger radiates off in waves. Her face is a beautiful storm, her eyes flashing with anger. Her skin, usually smooth and flawless, is marked by the tear tracks that streak down her cheeks.
Seven and Kit stand nearby, their expressions a mix of concern and wariness. Their eyes flicker between Jade and me, assessing the situation and preparing to step in if necessary. Their bodies are tense, muscles coiled and ready for action, but they maintain their distance, allowing Jade to vent her fury.
