A strong urge pulled me back towards Jax, towards the man who just sold me out, but I fought it back with all my will. It was almost like I was physically tearing myself off him, and the pain rippled through me, making me choke back on my sobs.
I had barely gotten anywhere close to the middle of the room when rough hands grabbed mine from behind. The jolts that went through me confirmed it was Jax, and I refused to turn back and look at him. His fingers gripped my upper arm and pulled me back against his chest using so much force that the air knocked out of my lungs.
“Nova.” My body shivered to his deep baritone. “Stay.”
That command. I was rooted to the spot.
The silence cracked with my father's low chuckle. My head tilted to watch him adjust his tie, and he was looking at us like
