Jake’s POV
I didn’t feel the blood anymore.
Not the deep gash on my shoulder, not the sting in my side, not the throbbing pain in my fists. All I saw was him—Thompson—standing too close to Katherine, talking to her like she was his to take.
And she looked scared.
That was enough to drive me past pain. Past reason.
“Don’t you f*****g touch her!” I roared, charging forward like a bullet.
Thompson turned, smiling like he’d won something.
“She’s not yours, Jake,” he said coldly, raising a blade he’d been hiding. “You think she loves you? She’s scared of you. She came to me.”
“I don’t care what lies you spit,” I growled. “You laid a hand on her and you’re already a dead man.”
I swung first—aiming straight for his face.
He ducked, but I caught his shoulder, heard the crunch of bone und
