Page 94 of Ensnared

“Ifyou’ve got something to say,Ranger, spit it out.”Domis intent onJaykob, and he looms at the head of the table, a dark, menacing presence looking down on his subjects.

Jaykrolls his eyes, not looking at him.It’stheJaykobImet that first day, full of bitter anger, and my heart tugs for him.

“Nosir, not me,” he mocks. “Ionly eat, shit, and think on command.”

Jaspersighs and then looks up to studyJaykobseriously.It’sa relief not to have that look leveled at me.

“Iknow it didn’t come across well the first time, butIdo apologize,Jaykob, for my assumptions the other day.Iknow better than that.Knowyoubetter than that, in fact, and should have held my judgment untilIhad all the details.Youdeserve better from me, andIcan only promiseIwill not be so hasty in future.”

Jaykstiffens, going from battle-ready offense to tense-shouldered defense.

“Isthat what this is about?”Someof the menace seeps fromDom, the posturing.Heseems earnest when he says, “Fuck.Imeant to talk to you too, you know.You’rea good soldier,Jayk.Ishouldn’t have gone after you like that.Itrust you in our team without question.”

Domis only apologizing toJayknow?

Likea muscle-bound wind-up doll,Jaykgets more and more rigid with each word.Thesneer settles in like it’s marked in the grooves of his face.Hepushes to his feet, grabbing a bowl beforeDomeven finishes speaking.

“Knowwhat?Foodtastes better in the servant’s quarters anyway.”Hestops in front of me, looking down with a smirk.Buteven that seems off, discomfited. “Youfeel like crawling through the dirt again tonight, princess,I’llfuck your ass so hard your crown comes right off.”

“Jaykob,”Jaspersnaps.

Beau’shand tightens around mine under the table.

Iignore them both, searchingJaykob’srough face for the man who stood against the world for me yesterday.

“Oh,Jayk,”Ibreathe.

Sharpteeth have clamped around my churning insides, shredding them as they twist.Thewounds can sit beside the slicesI’vealready received today.

Hissmirk drops at my whisper and a muscle ticks in his jaw as he pushes into my face. “Idon’t need yourpity.”

Heslams a hand on the table beside me, and he might as well have my heart in his fist, squishing it to a pulp.Astorm of fury, he makes for the door.

He’shalfway there whenDomsays, “Stop.”

WhenJaykignores him,Domstands and that spine-tingling sense of his power, his competence, washes over me again. “Stop,Ranger.That’san order.”

ButDom’snot looking atJayk, he’s looking down at a small, buzzing device.

Beaucurses. “Where?”

Domshakes his head. “Weneed a visual.Jasper?”

Jaspernods and stands as well. “We’dbest go to the study.”

Theyboth look atJayk’sback where he still stands beside the door.Hedoesn’t turn around but, after a long moment, his head drops back and his chest heaves.

“I’llmeet you there.”

“Fine.”

IwatchJaykleave, wondering if he would accept a hug later, then roll my eyes at myself.Almostdefinitely not.Isuppress a sigh.

Iwonder if he’d give me one for my sake, if not for his.

Domlooks atBeaupointedly, then at me, then back toBeau.Withoutanother glance my way, he leaves the room.Beaupresses his head into his hand, rubbing his forehead and avoiding my gaze.

Mymouth twists.Iwonder ifJayk’sbitterness is catching.

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