Page 98 of My Vigilante Valentine

Chris cleared his throat loudly. “As fascinating as this rom-com moment is, can we focus? The trap is set for tonight, and we need to go over the details one more time. We’re going to have a ton of couples showing up, and unless you want someone other than you guys to be tonight’s main event, maybe you can get it together and stop flirting?”

I shared a look with Jax, and he released me. Then, I dropped into the chair across from Chris. “Are you okay?”

He shrugged, then he turned to Jax. “How do you deal with this all the time?”

Jax blinked at Chris like he’d just asked the world’s most confusing math question. “What?”

Chris sighed, rubbing a hand over his face before looking at Jax again. “All of this… how do you deal?”

Jax still looked thrown, so Chris elaborated, his usual snark taking a backseat for once. “It’s a lot. Taking down atrulybad guy like The Villain. Knowing people’s lives are at risk, and not just random civilians, but people you actually care about.” He exhaled, shaking his head. “You’re used to going after guys who don’t have a reason to come after you personally. But The Villain? He’s probably been stewing since you and Luna got away. And now we’re just... offering you both up on a silver platter?”

I frowned at that—not because he was wrong, but because I didn’t love having it phrased like that. “We’re not helpless, Chris,” I pointed out, glancing at Jax for backup. “Right?”

But Jax wasn’t looking at me. He was still watching Chris, his expression unreadable. Then, finally, he spoke. “This isn’t something I’ve ever had to do before.”

That stopped me short. “Wait, what?”

Jax shifted his gaze to me for a brief moment before turning back to Chris, hesitating, almost like he was choosing his next words carefully. “Yes, I’ve taken down some truly bad guys before. Even a couple of killers.” His voice was calm—matter-of-fact—but there was something behind his eyes, something deeper that I couldn’t quite place. “But I’ve never had people I cared about in a killer’s crosshairs.”

My stomach clenched, but I kept my mouth shut.

Chris didn’t. “So, how do you deal with it?”

Jax exhaled, rolling his shoulders like he was settling something in place. “Same way I deal with everything else. I make a plan, and then I make sure I’m faster, smarter, and better than the guy trying to commit a crime. Or, in this case,” he said, pausing to lock eyes with me, “trying to take what’s mine.”

The weight of that last word settled over the table like a silent vow, and I barely stopped myself from launching across it to kiss him senseless.

Chris wouldn’t like that, I was sure of it.

But, holy mic-drop.

My cousin let out a slow breath, nodding like that was enough for him. “Okay. Good talk. Now, while I have your attention because I feel like I’m about to lose it again?—”

I whipped my head in his direction, throwing up my hands. “Really? You’re still throwing shade after hearing that? That was romance gold,Christopher, and we’re about to use all that mushiness as bait for a serial killer. Give us a break for not wanting to die before we have a chance to fully express ourselves.”

I sighed as Chris ignored me, telling myself it was time to tone it down.

But my obnoxiousness couldn’t be helped. This was some serious stuff, and if I wanted to live in a metaphorical love boat for a bit longer?

That really shouldn’t be a crime.

“I’m gonna get a few hours of sleep before tonight,” Jax said as he stood, packing up his stuff.

“Your sleep schedule shouldn’t be physically possible,” Chris muttered.

“I think it’s another power,” I said, winking at Jax. “He only needs a few hours at random times throughout the day.”

“Oh, kinda like your phone’s relationship with its charger?” Chris teased, ducking when I scooped up some stray heart confetti and tossed it his way.

“Menace,” Jax said, low in my ear as he leaned over me.

I looked up. One of his hands was on the back of my chair, and the other was on the table, and I swore there was something about his artfulloomingthat made prepping for a killer party seem way less fun than being wherever he was.

“You should do that, too,” he said. “Go upstairs and rest for a bit before it’s time for your appearance. It might be a long night, and the plan is locked down.”

I started to tell him I would, but then I started thinking about our plan—and the timing of my appearance. I zoned out, staring at nothing. We had it all worked out, and the blocking would need to be perfect so that The Villain could?—

“Luna?” he prompted, dipping his head into my line of sight. “Did you hear me?”

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