“V, I—”
How could I tell him that I loved Jethro as much as I loved him? How could I tell him that it was no longer simple between us?
“She took him from me, Vaughn,” Jaz said quietly. “She fell in love with my brother, and overnight, I became second in his life.” She gave me a twisted smile—half-accepting, half-unwilling. “He doesn’t belong to me anymore, just like she doesn’t belong to you.”
Vaughn shifted, running a hand through his dark hair. The beard he’d sported in London had been shorn, but a few day’s growth shadowed his jaw. “I don’t—I don’t understand.”
“One day, you’ll end up belonging to someone you love. But for now, you belong to me. I’m the one who’s come to rescue you. I’m the one who holds your life in my hands. And I’m the one who says you’ll do what I ask.”
My shoulders hunched. “Probably not the best way to make him help you.”
She glared at me.
I shrugged.
I’d been on the receiving end of Jasmine’s willpower—her perfect deception. She could spin any tale—give life to any lie. She’d completely fooled me at the meeting, and I’d never underestimate her again. I still couldn’t shake the hatred I’d felt. But she didn’t know my brother or how pig-headed he could be when told to do something.
V turned to me. “Threads…is that true? You fell in love with that bastard?” His face fell. “Is that why you slept with him?”
Jaz sucked in a breath, watching us like some soap opera.
I moved to stand in front of my brother. “What she says is true. I love him, V. And he doesn’t have much time. Jasmine needs your help.” Laying a hand on his chest, I murmured, “I want you to help her. For me. Please…”
His heart thundered under my touch; his eyes dove into mine. “This is for real? You love the bastard who’s going to kill you?” His face contorted. “Could you be any more stupid?”
“He would never have been able to do it.” Jasmine rolled forward. “He fell for her before she fell for him. I knew even when he didn’t.”
She locked her brakes, staring up at V. “If you won’t help me because I’m telling you to, help me because I’m asking. Don’t let him die. Don’t destroy your sister or condemn my brother when he’s the only one who can stop all of this for good.”
For the longest moment, we all held our breaths, waiting for V to accept defeat and agree to help. But then his shoulders stiffened, and he shook his head. “I don’t believe either of you. I think you’re both fucked in the head, and we need to get the hell out of this shithole.”
Snatching my wrist, he jerked me toward the door.
For someone who’d been in a fight and locked in a chiller, he moved quickly.
“V! Let me go.” I stumbled after him, vertigo teasing with the outskirts of my vision.
“Vaughn, listen to her.” Jaz spun around, her knuckles white on her wheels. “You can’t leave.”
V ignored her and reached for the door. “Oh, really? Funny, this is me leaving.”
I breathed hard. “Vaughn, I’m not going anywhere with you. If you won’t help us, fine. But I’m not going to leave him—”
“Yes, you are. Because I’m doing something he never did.” His nose almost brushed mine as he yanked me close. “Saving your arse.”
“You don’t understand!”
“No, Threads. You don’t understand. They’ve kept you here, treating you fucking awful for months. They’ve twisted your thoughts and made you suffer that Stockholm shit. Well, it’s over. We’re going home.”
His hand landed on the doorknob, wrenching it side to side.
Locked.
He whirled on Jaz, carting me back like a prisoner. Shoving his hand beneath her nose, he growled, “Key. Now.”
Her chin rose. “No. Not until you agree to help me.”
“Never. Give me the key.” He bent down, crazed with rage. “I won’t ask again.”
“And I won’t ask for your help again. I’ll just make you.”