Chapter 81

He seemed to grow, to expand, within Jesse’s grasp. It forced his fingers wider, wider, until the tips no longer met around the slim wrist. John’s skin became too hot to touch, but Jesse didn’t dare release him. He would tear through flesh and sinew to bury his fingers in the man’s arm, if he had to.

Castelain’s gaze left Jesse, eyes widening for a split second at John before narrowing in cunning speculation. Did John see it? Did John see anything but his own arrogance stretching before him?

Castelain opened her arms.

The moment Jesse saw Emma start to fall, he forgot who he was holding on to. He forgot where he was. He forgot everything but a promise he had made to her from the beginning, one he had been unable to keep when she had been abducted, one he had every intention to keep now.

He let John go. Before Emma disappeared into the bloody orange swirl at Castelain’s feet, Jesse swept her into his arms.