Chapter 43

Georgina West

“Georgie, go upstairs. Now.” Tears streamed down my cheeks as Archer's words cut through the heavy silence, his voice cold and unforgiving.

I knew he was right, that Jason posed a threat to our safety and he couldn’t be trusted, but the thought of taking a life, even his, filled me with a sickening dread.

Before I could muster a response, Jason's weakened hand found mine, his touch gentle despite the pain etched on his face. His lips brushed against my skin in a tender gesture, his words a bittersweet melody in the chaos of the moment. "Go ahead and kill me," he whispered, his voice barely a whisper. "I hope in the next life, I'll be lucky enough to find you again, Georgina."

His words hung heavy in the air, I looked into Jason's eyes, I saw the truth in his words, the regret and longing that echoed in the depths of his gaze.

Archer's fury simmered beneath the surface, his jaw clenched in a silent battle against his own demons. But despite the anger that burned within hi