Free Jax (Immortals of New Orleans Book 7) by Kym Grosso Page B

asked in confusion. “Where are you going with this?”
    When Katrina’s hand reached for his arm, he froze. The woman had him torn up inside. He needed to get his shit together before he made yet another mistake.
    “Yes, yes…he bit me, okay? But it was nothing. He was weak. And I needed to get the hell away from those things. I fed him. What is wrong with you?”
    As Jax turned, his gaze on hers, he noted the innocence in her words and shook his head.
    “What? Wait, you thought I…” She gave a half smile. “I’m not saying I haven’t been with other men, but never Quintus. I only met him once.”
    “But he’s tasted you?” Jax pressed.
    “Yes, and I’m not sorry for it. It helped him heal, and we escaped. I won’t say he’s not attractive, because that would be a lie and I think we just established,” her gaze went to the desk and back to Jax, “that I’m not going to lie to you anymore. But I won’t feel guilty for saving myself. Or him. Now that being said, Quintus…even though he was nice to me that day, he can be dangerous…unpredictable.”
    “Indeed.” Jax restrained his anger. When he questioned Quintus, he’d discover if he’d taken advantage of Katrina. “What was he doing in that hellhole?”
    “I don’t know. Like I said, he was only there for a few hours.” She paused in contemplation. “They were foolish to leave me with him. He could have killed me if he’d wanted to, but he didn’t. He saved my life,” she admitted. Katrina fingered her skin and shivered. “You know vampires, Jax. They only have two ways. Pain or pleasure. And all I’m going to say about it is that he didn’t hurt me.”
    “We’ll go see him.” Jax reached for his jacket and slipped it on. Retrieving his cell phone from its inner pocket, he slid his fingers across the glass.
    “Do you really think this is such a great idea? No one even knows where he is. Besides, I just told you that he’s dangerous. If you confront him, he’ll see you as a threat. He might even try to hurt you.”
    Jax glanced up at Katrina, giving her an amused smile. She had no idea just how powerful he really was. Returning to his task, he scrolled through his contacts.
    “What’s so funny?” Katrina asked, her hands on her hips. “I can assure you that there’s nothing funny about Quintus. I get that you’re Alpha but he’s really old. He can do everything Léopold can do plus a host of other things we can’t conceive of. This isn’t a good idea. We should leave him be. I have contacts in New Orleans.”
    “And we’ll use those as well, but Quintus? We’re going to see him. You must learn to trust your Alpha, little wolf.”
    “You’re not my Alpha yet.”
    “I will be,” he replied with confidence.
    As he sent the text message, his spirits lifted. Whatever had stolen away Katrina’s magick, it had to be destroyed and he was one step closer to annihilating it. He glanced at Katrina, and his beast stirred once again. He knew he’d have to have her soon.
    The truth. Today, for the first time, he’d heard it from her lips. One small step toward trusting her again. But first, she’d have to learn how to trust him, and he looked forward to teaching her.

Chapter Eight
    “Quintus Tullius?” Jake asked.
    “Right pocket.” Finn aimed at the shiny blue ball. He pecked at it, and it went careening into the hole.
    “Tell me why we’re doing this again? I’ve been around Léo and let me tell you, he’s one badass vamp. If this guy made him, he must be a real prize.”
    “I’m the king.” Finn fisted a hand into the air.
    “Yeah, yeah. How is it that you make it every single time?” Jake smiled and shook his head.
    “Because I’m the king.” The ginger beta eyed the billiards table, scouting his shot.
    “Sure you are, big guy.” Although Jake was six-three, Finn had him by a few inches, his muscles bulging. “Look, I’m not saying we shouldn’t go but I’m just sayin’ maybe we should at least call