Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 39161 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 196(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39161 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 196(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
I was sick as a kid. Leukemia. Felt like someone always had to drop everything to take care of me. Hate being dependent on people now, so I try to do everything myself. When my best friend takes up with a creep and won’t believe me when I tell her something’s not right with the man, I decide it’s safer (for her) if I go with her on a trip to Columbia he’s organizing. Bad I’m right. Fortunately the most annoying man I’ve ever come to count on thinks it’s his job to rescue me. This time, I might just let him. And that’s where the trouble starts…
I’ve known Holly nearly all her life. I’ve been her protector and the person she wants most when things go horribly wrong, which they do, more often than not. To say we have a contentious relationship is an understatement. I put a claim on Holly she never accepted, but it’s time to force the issue. Not because she doesn’t love me. Because she’s afraid history is doomed to repeat itself. She’s wrong. I’ll always come for her when she needs me. Like it or not, Holly’s more than my responsibility. No matter the cost, she’s mine.
Warning: Contains scenes of graphic violence, adult content they may be triggers for some readers. HEA, no cheating, and a possessive man who’ll do anything to keep his woman safe, even if it’s from herself, and less than 100 uses of the word JUST.
Copyright All Changeling Press LLC publications and cover art are copyright and may not be used in any AI generated work. No AI content is included or allowed in any Changeling Press LLC publication or artwork.
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Chapter One
Jax
“Let me get this straight.” I pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to stave off the headache threatening to split my skull open. Funny how that worked when I talked to Holly. “You’re voluntarily going to a country with a level four travel advisory. Unarmed. With a bunch of college students. With no security to speak of. Have I got that right?” I tried to keep my voice low and even, to fight my way through the rage that she’d be so cavalier with her life.
“Sweet God, could you be a bigger buzzkill?” Holly, ever the little ray of sarcastic sunshine, sounded like she was exasperated with me. Or, quite possibly, like she thought I was being unreasonable.
“Answer the question, Holly.” If I let her distract me, she’d talk her way around the point I was trying to make and hang up before I could forbid her from going. Not that it was going to help. Holly always did what she wanted. Usually, only her mother was able to knock some sense into her.
“You do realize you’re not the boss of me. Right?”
“I realize that, when you’re considering putting your life in danger for no good fuckin’ reason, someone has to rein you in. I’m surprised Wrath even considered letting you go, much less gave his blessing.” The silence on the other end was deafening. “You didn’t tell him.” It wasn’t a question.
“Again, not your business, Jax. This is my life and I’m living it. If I get into trouble, I’ll accept the consequences.”
“Even if it costs you your life?” I tried to go for a matter-of-fact tone, but my words came out a low growl.
“Even if it costs me my life.”
Neither of us spoke for long moments, the silence so long I was afraid the call had dropped. Then she sighed.
“Look, Jax. I’ve got a sat phone. Even if there’s no cell coverage where we’re at, Shotgun will be able to see where I am. He and Esther are great with that shit. If we get into trouble, I can call him. They can either send someone to come get me or let me work it out myself. I’m only agreeing to any of this so my mom doesn’t worry.”
“Did you at least tell Celeste? Because I don’t see your mother letting you do something like this at all.”
“No one lets me do anything, Jax.” Holly’s tone was hard and firm. She was barely out of her teens, yet I’d never met anyone more in control of her life. Which was to say she lived in utter chaos most of the time, but that was exactly the way she liked it. “But yes. I told her what I was doing. She’s not happy about it, but she knows she can’t talk me out of it.”
“Did you ever stop to think how your mother and father would feel if you got hurt or killed? I realize it could happen anywhere, but going to Columbia increases those chances exponentially over anywhere in the U.S. She almost lost you once and gave everything she had to keep you alive. Don’t you think you’re being incredibly selfish?” I winced. Yeah, this wasn’t my finest moment. Had I been trying to push her away I couldn’t have done a better job.