Chapter 57

I had gotten a good read on Jared's personality after the past few encounters. Jared was the kind of man who wouldn't stand his ground unless he absolutely had to. If anything, he'd probably be thrilled if I fought with Yvonne and took Xavier off their hands. "You're absolutely unreasonable," Jared said, shaking his head. His eyes drifted to Xavier. "Xavier, let's go. We're going to find your mommy." Xavier was standing by the bed with his hands on his hips, bossing Jonas around. When he glanced at Jared, a flicker of displeasure crossed his face before he reluctantly complied. "Okay, Jared." How he said those words—soft and syrupy—made my skin crawl. I knocked him lightly on the forehead. "Why don't you ever talk to me like that?" "You don't deserve it," he shot back, his temper flaring like a little cat ready to scratch. I smirked. "Quite the attitude." I had no reason to keep him here, so I let Jared take him. Watching them walk out of sight, I closed the door behind me. "