My heart thumped hard and unrelenting against my ribs as I stared into Jax's handsome face. I still couldn't believe he was here. How many times had I dreamed of something like this happening? Of him showing up and saving me from a fate worse than death? But having my very dream come true meant certain death for him. How could I allow that?

I shifted on my feet, my high heels pinching my toes. If I said I was with him, he'd take that as a win, and that would only embolden him. ...