54

You are not going back to that man!”

Camille was pretty sure that if their door was capable of being slammed, Jag would have slammed it as he stormed into their apartment behind her.

She had known her plan wouldn’t go down well but that didn’t deter her from it. She had all but made up her mind. If this was their only shot at flushing Nathan out of his hiding place then Camille was going to make sure they took it. It was one thing when it was just her being victimised but now innocent bystanders were getting hurt.

“Camille!”

The warning growl pulled the blonde from her thoughts and she turned to face her male. She wasn’t surprised to see his anger or the concern in his eyes and yet it still made her heart ache. Despite his gruffness and stoic exterior, Jag still had emotions and right now, he was as equally scared as Camille was about the whole situation. It felt like the walls were closing in around them with combat quickly becoming the only way out. They couldn’t let that happen though. More innocent lives would be put in danger.

“Jag, I know you don’t like my idea but please hear me out...”

“I will not let you get hurt.” Jag cut in, his voice dangerously low and his amber eyes flaring with a maelstrom of emotions. “We will find another way.”

Camille’s features softened, blue eyes filling with sadness at Jag’s words. She didn’t hesitate to take a step towards the man standing before her, hands cupping his sharp angular jaw.

“There is no other way.” She pointed out gently. “And I’m not going back to Nathan. He won’t ever get a chance to touch me. But if we don’t do this, more people will get hurt. We are literally on the edge of a war breaking out and I won’t let that happen.”

“I don’t like the idea of you putting yourself in danger.” Jag frowned, lips pursing as he became troubled by the thought.

Camille couldn’t help but laugh at the blue male’s comment, shaking her head softly. “Oh I know. You have made it very clear how you think I have no regard for my safety.”

“And you have yet to prove me wrong.” Jag half teased.

The silence that fell between them was heavy with solemn acceptance of the reality. Jag let out a heavy breath, features softening into a much more sombre expression. He cut the remaining distance between them, forehead coming to rest against Camille’s while his large arms wrapped around her waist. His breath fanning Camille’s skin soothed the storm within her slightly and she closed her eyes to take a moment to ground herself.

She was petrified. There was no way she could deny it. Naturally the thought of Nathan getting to her had crossed her mind and planted a seed a fear within her. The idea of being torn away from Kal, Jag and Sid all but shattered her heart but it did nothing to weaken her resolve. She wouldn’t hide, she would not submit to her fear and the dark memories of her past.

“There is no changing your mind, is there?” Jag murmured.

“There is no other way.” Camille replied. “At least no other way that won’t put innocent lives on the line.”

Jag let out a heavy breath, his sigh seeming to deflate his body as he surrendered his side of the argument. Camille didn’t feel any joy in her win though. She didn’t regret having Jag give in but given the risks of what was about to happen, there was little to celebrate.

“So, do you have a plan in mind?” Jag finally spoke again, this time sounding more like himself, his anger having simmered down for now.

“I do.” Camille replied, pulling away from the giant male to sit on the large L-shaped couch that looked out over the city. “At least I have the makings of a plan. I was hoping you would help me with the finer details.”

Jag crossed the room to the small bar set up in the corner and collected two tumblers and a decanter of what looked like bourbon or dark rum. He didn’t speak until he had poured two drinks, leaving one in front of Camille while he wandered away to look out at the night sky.

“Okay, so what do you propose?”

“Well we need to make it look like we took Nathan’s threat seriously for starters.” Camille replied. “He is a narcissist but he lets his guard down when he feels like he is getting what he wants. I don’t think he realises it but from my experience, Nathan becomes a little clumsy when his ego is inflated. He makes mistakes and I am pretty sure he will make one if we make him feel like he is winning.”

“And where does you going back to him come into this?” Jag asked, not bothering to hide his distaste for the thought.

Camille couldn’t help but frown. Blue eyes dropping from her male’s profile to the drink he had left in front of her. Jag's anger radiated from him like a blast of arctic air, cutting through everything in it’s path. The feat of simmering Jag’s temper down was like trying to wrangle a storm that threatened to destroy everything it touched.

She wasn’t fond of drinking for obvious reasons but this was one of those rare times when the numbing effects of alcohol would be welcome. Taking a breath and then leaning forward, Camille took the glass in her hand, lifting the dark liquid to her lips and letting it pour into her mouth. She was hit by the fiery heat of the alcohol and the warmth of toffee and smoke which settled into a pool of magma in her stomach once she swallowed. She couldn’t tell if she liked it or hated it but she didn’t really care. Right now it was doing what she wanted it to do.

“Firstly, I’m not going back to Nathan. But if I’m right about his ego, and I am confident that I am, it will be easier to draw him out.” Camille explained. “He isn’t going to send just anyone to get me. He will want to do it himself. That’s our opportunity.”

Jag didn’t reply immediately. Camille could almost see his mind working to come up with an excuse or a reason why this wouldn’t work. There were plenty of reasons why it wouldn’t or couldn’t as well, but there were plenty of reasons why it could work or more importantly, had to work.

“It could be a trap.” Jag turned to face Camille, pinning her to her spot with his glowing eyes.

“Nathan knows every outcome of this will be analysed.” Camille countered. “He isn’t stupid. He knows that if there is any sign of deception or an ambush the deal is off. The main issue is that he will be expecting you to do something. So long as we make him think we are playing along, Nathan will play his part.”

Setting her glass down, Camille stood from her seat, taking the few steps to Jag. Her blue eyes peered up at the tall man the whole time, watching his expressions and the way the light cut across his sharp features.

“I know you hate this,” She saw the muscle in Jag’s jaw twitch. “I do too but I won’t stand by and do nothing any longer. I spent too long being the victim. I won’t do it anymore. I want to be with you, Kal and Sid and not have to look over my shoulder, wondering when Nathan is going to strike again. But I need you to help me and trust that I know what I’m doing.”

“I trust you, Camille.” Jag sighed as his free hand came up to cup the blonde’s neck. “But that doesn’t stop me from worrying that you will get hurt or something worse. You can’t blame me for wanting to prevent that or for feeling the way I do. Not to mention, I’m not the only one who feels this way. This affects more than just you.”

“I know that, Jag.”

“Then promise me you will return to me.” Jag murmured. “Promise me.”

“I promise.” Camille whispered.

Jag’s flickered with emotion, those amber eyes bright like two specks of light in the night. But slowly the fire dimmed and Camille could feel Jag pulling away. It was a common situation. For weeks Jag would put up his invisible walls and only let Camille in every now and then. But the hot and cold was becoming too much. Despite the storm around them, the one between them was the most vicious.

“Don’t!” Camille gasped when Jag turned to walk away. “Please don’t turn away from me.”

“I have to get back to work, Camille.” Jag replied but didn’t move any further.

“I know...” Camille felt her cheeks warm as they reddened. “I just...”

The words died in Camille’s mouth. She could say that she missed Jag or tell him that she needed him but words just didn’t seem strong enough, not with everyone on the horizon now looming over them like a tsunami.

Taking a deep breath, Camille leaned up, capturing Jag’s mouth with her’s. She felt the taller male tense in surprise but she didn’t quit. She didn’t know what the coming days would bring but Camille knew she couldn’t let Jag go without letting him know her desire for him.

“Stay, please?” She whispered against Jag’s lips. “I need you to stay.”

Jag was silent for a moment and Camille caught herself holding her breath. She stared up into Jag’s eyes, silently pleading him to stay. She wouldn’t lie, she was convinced he would say no so she was surprised when Jag leaned down to kiss her, the heat of his skin on hers making her gasp.

“You give a compelling argument.” Jag murmured. “Now that I’ve thought about it, work can wait...”

Camille smiled just as Jag leaned down to kiss her again.