~ JESSE ~
I went still and Cazz dusted one more kiss on my neck, then straightened, one hand still under my chin to meet my eyes, his expression grim.
I stared at him, trying to understand how his tone and touch could be so at odds with his words.
"Cazz-"
His thumb tightened on my chin and his eyes flashed. "Hear me, Jesse. I said no. And I'm not discussing it further," he said, the words clipped.
All the hope and excitement I'd felt about how we were connecting and how he was listening just crumbled. My stomach sank as I held his gaze, examined him in the bond, and realized there was absolutely no give in him. None.
"So… you're going to keep me caged here?" I asked bitterly. "Even though I can help? Even though I have strength- skills no one else has? You're still going to just… hide me away?"
"Yes."
A strange noise broke in my throat and suddenly I had a battle to fight.