Collide (Entangled Teen) (The Taking Book 3) by Melissa West Page B

Operatives.” I glance past Kelvin to Jackson and the four Ops now circling him.
    Kelvin runs a finger over a shard of glass, watching as blood pools to his fingertip. “Very well.” His gaze lifts to the Ops. “Release him. For now.” And then he sweeps from the room, his eyes distant in thought, and I wonder, not for the first time, who is more insane: Zeus or Kelvin Lancaster.

Chapter Nine
    I hit the close button beside my door and hesitate before turning around to look at Jackson. It’s late now, Vill and Gretchen asleep, so it’s just us and a thousand thoughts to keep us company. I want to ask him what happened back on Loge, where he went, where Zeus might be, if he’s okay about Mami. I want to ask if he’s hurt, if he needs me to heal him, if he wants to sleep or eat. But all I can think about is him, here, in my room. Just steps away, after I’d been so afraid I’d never see him again. My emotions overcome me, and I know he can see them all, but I’m not ashamed. Not now. We’re past embarrassment and worry.
    I ready myself to turn around, when I feel warmth on my back, then his arms wrapping around my waist, pulling me against him. He sighs heavily as I spin in his arms and press my face to his chest, breathing him in. And there are no words, nothing to convey how I’m feeling. Relief. Sadness. Fear. Happiness. Every emotion moves through me in rapid succession until I’m on the verge of tears.
    Jackson slides his hands up to my face, rubbing his thumb gently across my cheeks to catch a few stray tears. “I know just what you need.” Then he steps away from me and shrugs off the long-sleeve shirt he’s wearing to just the tank underneath—exposing just how much weight he’s lost at Kelvin’s hand. My back tightens and Jackson smiles. “Settle down, tiger.”
    “But he—”
    “I know. I know exactly how you feel, and what you want to do to him. To everyone in your path. Which is why I’m going to let you do it to me.”
    “What?”
    “Fight me.”
    I take a step back. “What? I’m not fighting you.”
    “Then yell. Scream. Whatever you need to do. But the Ari I know would need to fight.”
    “I don’t want to fight. Or yell. Or even talk to you. What I want to do is…” I trail off, not sure I want to admit my true thoughts with my parents a wall away.
    Jackson smirks, his head tilting in that way I love. “Is what, exactly?”
    My cheeks burn as I peer over at the wall. “Nothing.”
    He licks his lips. “Mmm-hmm. So fight me. Do you remember our first real fight? The thrill you felt when you knocked me out?”
    “It isn’t the same. And besides, if I remember correctly, you didn’t stay out.”
    A laugh bursts from his lips, and it is the best sound I’ve heard all day. Maybe all year. Maybe in my entire life. And all I can do is stare at him. “See, you’re too tense. Just mentioning that has you all keyed up. You’re a fighter, Ari. To breathe, you need to fight. I get it. Which is why I’m here.” He holds his arms out. “Let’s dance.”
    And then he lunges for me, and before I can think better of it, I spiral out of his hold and hit him in the back, instantly cringing at what I’ve done. “Oh! I’m sorry! I—” But I don’t have time to finish before he charges me, sweeping my feet out from under me. I manage to flip before I land on my back, landing instead like a cat, poised on all fours. And then I’m back in motion, punching, kicking, flipping, until we’re both sweating and laughing and for the first time in forever I feel at home.
    Jackson steps back, his breathing heavy. “All right then, feel better?” He starts for my bed when I jump him from behind, but he’s too quick, pinning me against the wall, my hands trapped above my head, his face inches from mine, and suddenly all the fear I’d felt at losing him breaks free, my lip trembling as tears spring to my eyes.
    “I thought I’d never see you again,” I whisper. “I thought you