"I feel like a fool," she said. "I should've stabbed you. I should've just done it and freed Brandon."
"Because Valon would keep his word."
"What if he did?"
"Ashley, don't be naïve. It's a trap. He's waiting to vamp Brandon until the last minute, when he has you. Then he'll vamp you both. A fighter like you and a vamp undetectable to Guardians?" Jonny shook his head. "He'd win the double lottery. I'm jealous just thinking about it."
"You know better than to cross Xander."
"Valon wants my position. Chances are, he's got a plan to deal with Xander. Every step he's taken has been calculated and planned. You and Brandon give him a leg up over me. He can wipe out my vamps with the two of you helping him then come for me."
She didn't want Jonny to make sense. "Would you save Brandon if it meant you lost say, fifty vamps doing it?"
His silence crushed her.
Tears stung her eyes. "I'm going after him. I don't give a fuck what you do to me, Jonny."
"No, Ash, you won't. There's a strategy to this struggle with Valon. He's not going to let Brandon die, but you showing up is going to make him vamp your brother."
"You don't know that."
"It's what I'd do if I were him," Jonny said.
"But you haven't, and you have me. You knew where we were. You could've vamped both of us at any time."
"Stop, Ash. You -"
"No, you stop, Jonny! I can't believe a word you say. You only care about your vamps. You'll let Brandon rot and -"
"Do you still love me?"
Her breath caught. How the fuck did he know? She froze, afraid to think or move or feel in case he was in her mind.
"Then trust me," he added. "I will not let Brandon die."
"Unless saving him clashes with your organizational goals," she snapped.
"I will not let him die."
She wanted to believe him but feared doing so, feared entrusting her brother's life in the hands of someone who had nearly destroyed her family once before. The fate of her brother belonged in the hands of no one but her. "Yes," she said hoarsely. "I've always loved you, Jonny, but I've never trusted you. The more I learn about you, the less likely I will ever trust you."
He kissed her lightly and rested his forehead against hers. "You should trust me, not love me," he whispered. "I will save your brother, and I will crush your heart."
Pain slid through her. "Again."
"Yeah. Again."
"Fuck you, Jonny." Her voice trembled. Emotionally devastated and physically exhausted, Ashley rolled out of his grip and to the edge of the bed. "I want to sleep. Alone."