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I can hardly blame him. Her skin is smooth and ivory, and her body is much fuller than mine at the moment. Her breasts peek out, showing off their perkiness. The image of her on top of Micah makes the pit in my stomach explode.

He’s mine.

“Take the trade, Ezra,” I tell him, still hanging from his arms. “I’ll make sure Micah gives you the food. But you can’t ever trust her again.”

Micah’s fingers are still on Naomi, and I’m not even sure he’s aware of it. Those fingers that have explored every inch of my body are now touching her. He’s so comfortable caressing her skin, and it almost looks like she’s enjoying it.

Do I even want to go back to him?

A bang interrupts that thought, and all four of us direct our attention outside. There’s a hint of movement in the corner of my eye, and the back door swings open.

Fuck. It better not be Nigel. He is the last person who needs to attend this party.

“I think you better put her down, man,” a voice says from outside.

Not Nigel…

A deeper, sweeter voice. Caring. Friendly.

I blow out a breath as James steps through the door near us at the back of the broken plane.

He shakes his head. “You’re all seriously fucked up. Hand her over, man. Whatever is going on here is over.”

“What the fuck are you going to do about it?” Ezra fights back, his voice coming out desperate.

Another voice cuts in, and another shadow enters from the dark mist. Jade follows James inside the airplane, gripping a pointy wooden spear. I can hardly believe my eyes…

Why are they here?

James steps into a protective stance in front of Jade. “It’s what we’re both going to do about it,” she says calmly. “You’re outnumbered, Ezra, and we can take you.” Her eyes flash to me, her face sunken in, but she otherwise looks healthy, and for that, I’m eternally grateful.

She continues, “So fucking drop her, Ezra. Or Thomas might have something to say about it, too.” Another physical response from Ezra. This time, his body shudders. The look in Jade’s eyes is nothing short of terrifying. She runs her eyes over me, and even in the dark, I can tell she has changed. No hint of kindness lingers in those hard eyes.

I glance over at Micah, and he’s already gone, vanished.

And he took Naomi with him.

He’s so fast. Always so fucking smooth when he disappears like he’s so good at doing, leaving scars in his wake.

Ezra hardens his grip on me. “Get back and give me space. I’ll let her go, but get the fuck away from me.”

James lifts his arms. “Alright. Okay, man. Just let her go.”

“I’m sorry, London,” he whispers, then drops me like a lead balloon. I fall with a thud, and before I can take a proper breath, Ezra flees into the night.

Chapter Eighteen

London

It’s not long before I’m in James’s arms. He pulls me up and places me on a plane seat, his hand firmly gripping my chin as he studies my eyes before his gaze moves down, inspecting the wounds that mar my body.

He frowns and looks at Jade. “Should we go after him?”

Her eyes are blank as she peers down at me, then flicks her gaze outside. “No point. He’s gone. We’ll look for him tomorrow.” Her head tilts in my direction. “Why were you here? With Ezra?” A simple, pointed question. No greetings or niceties, although I suppose I don’t deserve either. “And where’s Micah?” I can’t help but try to examine the girl looking back at me and how hardened she looks.

It gives me pause.

I swallow hard, barely grabbing onto words, unable to form a proper sentence. My mind is finally catching up with the fact I’m with someone safe. At least, I think she’s safe. I’m not sure about anything anymore. There is a subtle wildness in Jade, a husk deep in her eyes.