Page 63 of Queen of Wrath

That only made her laugh even louder.

“Not everyone here is swarthy and unbearable like her,” he declared conspiratorily, turning to me as he rolled his eyes at Dai, but then his face became serious again. “Most of them are everyday people, much like you and I once were. They had something precious taken from them as well. You see? You're not the only one who sees the wrong that's being done. Other people want to fight for justice, too. You’re not alone in this.”

I hated to admit it, but Emory’s words comforted me. Although I had Rowan, I operated and felt alone more often than not.

Emory had a whole army behind him.

“What do you plan to do about the Ransoms? Do you guys really believe you'll be able to change anything?”

Over my lifetime, I had seen many people try to stop Diesel but fail miserably. All they’d accomplished was making him angry, which usually led to them losing everything and everyone they’d ever cared about.

Meaning, I had a hard time believing these people would succeed when so many others hadn’t even gotten close to getting back at him.

“That’s the plan. Even if we can only hope to make a dent, we can’t keep turning a blind eye to all of the horrors being done in their name.” Emory walked a few feet in front of me with his arms tucked behind his back. Then he turned on the ball of his foot and faced me. “Why do I get the feeling you think you’ll be able to get more done than the eighty-six of us could together?”

“Because I have nothing left for Diesel to destroy. To defeat him, you will have to walk into the fire and know that you're not coming back out. I'm willing to do that. Are you?” My eyes narrowed at him. They were sharp and unapologetic.

He stepped toward me, not hindered by my words in the slightest, his eyes delving into mine with something like playful adoration. “Don’t you remember that I’ve walked through that fire once already? I’m willing to go whenever Solara deems it to be my time, as long as I can give the Ransoms all kinds of hell before that.”

25

JAX

Jax’s fingers nervously tapped on the end of his desk, his mind brimming with anger and anxiety.

What a fucking idiot! Doesn’t he know it looks more suspicious if he burns down over half of the city, but leaves my building completely untouched?

As his office door opened, though, it was as if Jax’s worries were washed away in an instant.

Fears of disgrace and poverty were suddenly made to fade into the background.

The only thing he could focus on was the beautiful woman standing before him. “Emma, thank Lunaira!”

He jumped from his chair and rushed over to her, grabbing her shoulders. “Are you okay?”

“Goodness, Jax. I’m fine! I didn’t see very much. There was a lot of smoke where I was. Luckily I woke up when I did or else I wouldn’t have been so lucky.” Emma laughed nervously, looking away from Jax. “What’s the matter? Worried you’ll lose your best talent scout?”

“Among other things.” His eyes glazed over as his mind wondered beyond where he could reach it.

“How is your family? Did they make it out okay? Especially little Diamond. She must have been so scared.” Emma frowned at the thought.

Jax snapped back into reality after a few blinks. That was what he adored about her; she was always so selfless, caring, and brave. “They are fine, thank you for asking.”

Of course they are. Diesel is a destructive monster, but he wouldn’t let the fires reach his little niece, not that I can tell that to Emma. But maybe he could start trusting her with more…

Jax thought about it for a moment, but he’d already made up his mind. “I actually need your help with something if you’re willing. I should warn you, though—you can’t back out once you say yes. Are you up for it?”

Emma’s eyes shifted away nervously for a second, but she swallowed the lump in her throat before she answered, “I’m already in deeper than I ever meant to be, and I want to help you out however I can.”

“Excellent, I just need to know that I can trust you.” Jax raised his hand and caressed Emma’s cheek.

She shuddered beneath his fingers, and Jax’s body did the same as his skin ran hot with desire for her.

She seemed to be caught between running and staying, but her voice was calm as she said, “Whatever you need, I’ll do it.”

Jax moved in closer, finding it extremely hard to hold himself back from making her his right here and now. “I need you to make a pact with me that you will never cross me.”

Emma looked horrified at the idea. She stepped away, and all of the color drained from her face. “I’m sorry, I can’t do that… But I will do whatever else you want me to. Let me prove my loyalty to you in another way.”

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