** Paige’s POV **
For a second, I can’t breathe. Everything in the room stills, even the air feels frozen. My sister is limp in the arms of a man I barely know, and the sound of that one word, “mine,” still echoes in my head.
No one moves. Not Leo, who’s standing there like the ground has been ripped out from under him. Not Remy, who looks ready to throw himself between them. Not even Parker, though I can feel his tension from across the room, assessing and ready.
Then, my body finally remembers how to move.
“Poppy!” My voice cracks as I push forward, shoving past Remy to reach her. Jake doesn’t let go, he just holds her tighter, one arm supporting her back, the other cupping the side of her face like she’s something precious. His expression is fierce, protective, and completely calm.
