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But retreating into my own head wasn’t fair to Jared, was it? Not now that ere Bound

What uiltier was that he hadn’t complained, hadn’t even commented on it, despite that he ht now He’d given me that time, that space But that time was apparently over With a heavy exhale, I rose from my seat and went to hiripped s "Hey," he said gently

Resting my hands on his shoulders, I bithis hands under ainst– now I felt even guiltier "I know you’re worried about the guys I wouldn’t expect anything different But you’re letting the stress of it all get the better of you" Again there was no judge you like this"

I understood, since – likewise – I’d hated seeing him an absolute wreck after the wacko brothers had kidnapped o it alone when shit happens, Sam Not anymore I’m here"

"It’s like a mental reflex, but I’ll work on it"

"Good, because I wantme to hell and back"

My smile ood thing because I plan to" He paused at the knock on the door "Yes?"

"Antonio is here to see you," announced Fletcher There was an odd note to his voice that made me frown

Jared rose to his feet "Let hiuards and pit-bulls in tow He also had two unfamiliar Kejas with him "Sam, Jared…I would like you to meet Eloise Montana and Fredrick Collins" Really? Because he didn’t sound as if he’d like us to meet them at all In fact, he didn’t appear pleased about their presence either "Fredrick is also one of my vampires"

"I’m the first vampire he ever sired," added Collins, cocky and self-satisfied by that fact

I hadn’t met many vampires that had been sired by Antonio, so I was instantly curious about hiht, had short ht at home in a corner office And I didn’t like hi that I couldn’t explain Every instinct I had severely disliked this bloke His gaze ran over both Jared and I studiously Solinted in those eyes as he focused on Jared

Moving my attention to the smartly dressed Eloise, I saw that the tall, sli People stared at hi in her eyes that tolda hand over her long ood to see you again, Jared"

Yep, I was right