Page 29 of Scarlet Wars
I squeezed her hand harder, needing her to feel me there, to know she wasn’t alone. “You’re safe,” I murmured, the words rushing out.
Her eyes flickered with recognition, the tension in her body easing, but only slightly. Then she took a breath, deeper this time, her chest rising as if gathering the strength to speak.
“Caden?” My name was a broken whisper, but hearing it on her lips, nearly undid me.
“I’m here,” I said, my voice soft but firm. “I’m right here.” Her soft fingers curled weakly around mine, the grip fragile, but it was enough to send a surge of hope through me.
Which is exactly how James found us when he came bursting through the door.
His attention snapped to me immediately, fury and confusion written all over his face. I knew I should’ve let go of her hand, but I didn’t. Instead, I rose to my feet, challenging him to dare say something about it.
Fuck being respectful, I was done. I wasn’t letting her go, not for anything. If James wanted me out of there, he was going to have to physically try (and fail).
Right as James opened his mouth, his gaze dropped to Emma’s face, and everything shifted. The rage vanished, replaced by shock as he realized she was awake. Without a second thought, he rushed to her side, taking her other hand in his, completely forgetting I was even there.
Emma’s eyes flicked from me to him, and the way she looked at him made my stomach twist painfully. I clenched my jaw, fighting the sudden urge to hurl.
Before any of us could say a word, the door swung open again, and Hillary strode in, instantly assessing the room. “All right, that’s too many people in here,” she said briskly, her tone leaving no room for argument. “I need to check on Emma, and you two are in the way.”
James shot me a glare but reluctantly let go of Emma’s hand.
I, however, hesitated. Hillary’s attention shifted to me, her brows arching in warning.
“Out. Now.”
With nostrils flared, I finally released Emma’s hand and followed James out of the room, feelings of relief and jealousy battling inside me like living things.
JAMES
I was going tokillhim.
The second we stepped out of the room, I slammed the door behind us, barely able to keep it together. My blood was boiling, and I could hardly breathe through the rage clouding my vision.
“What the hell was that, Colt?” I snapped, rounding on him, fists clenched at my sides. “You holding her hand like she’s yours to hold?”
Caden didn’t flinch, his whole demeanor cold and unreadable. “She needed someone to ground her,” he said flatly, calmly in a way that only pissed me off more.
“She doesn’t need you!” I growled, stepping closer, my pulse roaring in my ears. “She’s mine. You hear me? Emma ismine. You need to back the hell off.”
A muscle in his jaw twitched, but he still didn’t back down. Instead, he let out a low chuckle, sounding almost amused, while he crossed his arms, standing firm.
“You sure about that, James?” His gaze sharpened. “Because last I checked, you were the one who screwed up so much she fled from your Collective tomine.”
I clenched my fists, every part of me itching to hit him. “You don’t get it, do you? I’m not going to let you weasel your way in again, just because she’s vulnerable. I’ll strangle you with your own ball sack before you do.”
Caden’s face hardened, and he stepped forward, his tone dropping to a dangerous growl. “Let’s get one thing perfectly clear. If I wanted to take her,youcouldn’t stop me, onlyshecould. Don’t ever fucking forget that.”
For a second, I saw the real predator lurking right beneath his everlasting calm exterior. “And just so you know, I don’t need to ‘weasel’ my way in. You might be her choice for now but you’re still the one who lied for months during your relationship. You think she’s ever going to forget that?”
I felt control slipping away. My fists flew up, ready to swing. “You son of a?—”
“Do it,” Caden said, stepping right into my space. “Take your shot, Walker. See how that works out for you.”
Motherfucker. My rage haze whooshed out instantly. But before I could make a move, Jackson’s voice cut through. “Enough!”
Both of us froze as Jackson strode toward us, his face twisted with frustration. “Are you twokiddingme?” he snapped, standing between us. “Emma’s in there recovering from the gods know what, and you’re out here fighting like children.”
Caden didn’t back down, but his gaze flicked toward Jackson, a hint of annoyance crossing his face. “Stay out of this, Jackson.”
