Chapter 12 · Twelve Times Dead

"You killed him twelve times."

Jax's fingers were hooked in Dax's sleeve. Blood on his mouth. Eyes locked on Mara like she was the thing about to bite.

"What?" Mara said. "Jax — no. What're you talking about?"

"You left me," he whispered. "You came back and you killed him. Every time. You said it was the only way."

Dax went rigid under Jax's grip. His other arm was locked around Leo, holding the kid tight to his chest. He didn't look at Mara. Not yet.

"Kid," Dax said. His voice dropped. Cold. Flat. "Look at me. Not at her. Who told you that?"

"No one told me," Jax choked out. "I saw it. I heard her. She put the gun to his head and —"

"Jax, stop!" Mara snapped. Her voice cracked right in half. "I never — I would never — Dax, I didn't!"

Dax didn't answer her. His jaw was stone. The mark on his wrist was throwing heat. Same as hers. Same pulse. That shared lock between them was humming so loud she felt it in her teeth.

"You remember it now?" he said to Jax. Still not looking at her.