Page 37 of Take

I did know and that was what terrified me. “Xamien?”

“Yeah?”

“I . . . love you. Not like . . . well . . .”

“Love you, too, Max.”He paused. “Promise you’ll be careful with Jasper. You know what I mean, right?”

The time to be careful had already passed. “Yeah, I’ll be careful.”

Jasper skidded out of the small airport gates and horns honked as he went through the red light. He didn’t say anything and neither did I for ten minutes.

Finally, I broke. “What’s with two weeks?”

He glanced at me and his grip on the steering wheel tightened, the leather crackling beneath the pressure. “My job’s over.”

“And then?” My voice quaked and I hated that I was letting the fear back in, but it wasn’t just Drake who now blanketed me with uncertainty. It was Xamien’s safety and the feelings I had for Jasper. It was what I might have to do in order to protect them all. What my Talde should’ve done years ago. What I should’ve tried to do during those six years with Drake, but I was too scared and weak.

“Jesus, Max. He won’t get to you. Do you hear me?” When I didn’t answer, he repeated, “He. Won’t. Get. To. You. Say it.”

I didn’t because eventually Drake would get to me. “And if he’s not caught before your job is over?”

“You’ll be fine. I have a place you’ll be safe.”

“So, you just leave me there and that’s it?”

Jasper slammed his hand into the dash and the vibration shook the car. “Max, damn it. I can’t give more than that. I’m already too clos—” The car jerked forward even faster. “I can’t.”

I was uncertain what he meant by I can’t. But it sounded as if he was talking aloud to himself rather than to me.

I looked out the window.

He pulled up to a hotel a few hours later and this time it was a nice one with a beautiful garden out front and a yellow arch over the driveway. It was small, maybe fifty rooms, and was only four stories. The mountains were behind it and I imagined there was skiing here in the winter.

I got out and followed him into the lobby where we were greeted by stunning marble floors and a cascading staircase. Jasper ignored it all and guided me to the front desk where a young, impeccably dressed woman greeted us.

I noticed her eyes roam appreciatively over Jasper and expected him to procure a half-cocked grin. Except this time, he was all business to the girl’s obvious disappointment. He insisted on a room on the ground floor and then paid for it in cash. Without looking at me, he grabbed my hand and we walked down the row of rooms until we reached the last one. He unlocked the door, flicked on the light and then yanked the curtains closed, blocking the view of the mountain.

“Get some rest.”

I stood at the door while he checked the room over. “I was thinking,” he went into the bathroom and washed his hands. When he came out I continued, “what if we use me to lure Drake?” I knew it was risky, but they didn’t know Drake like I did. He’d never give up. He was relentless in his pursuit to be the most powerful Scar. That was all he talked about.

Jasper bent over and shuffled through his bag, ignoring me.

“I can talk to this Adrian guy and make certain you get your money.” Fear could break you, but it could also drive you to conquer it and I’d been trying for four years by practicing with my blades. Needing to feel strong again. I was a weak puppet used by a man for my ability. “I know him. I know his weaknesses.” And I was stronger now. I could destroy his Ink so it never had the chance of being reborn again. I didn’t know for certain if I could do it or if it was possible, but at the moment it was the best I had.

“No!” Jasper stood up straight and kicked his bag to the side. “Fuck. No.”

“It makes sense. He won’t kill me. I’m a possession to him. I belong to him. He wouldn’t—”

“Jesus, Max. You hear what you said? You don’t fuckin’ belong to him. And that isn’t happening. Period.”

“I want it to end, damn it!” I shouted. “I’m sick of living in a bubble. I want out, Jasper. We can use . . .”

Jasper started toward me, his hands curled into fists, tension in every part of his body. I raised my chin, but my heart was slamming into my ribcage and it wasn’t in fear. I wasn’t scared of Jasper, his words may be harsh, but there was something in him I trusted. That speck in his eyes that refused to let me in, but revealed his vulnerability, his softness.

He grabbed my arms, fingers bruising. “He is never getting near you again. Two weeks, two fuckin’ years, two hundred years. He isn’t touching you again.”

“I know him better than anyone. I can get him to trust me and—”