Gideon went completely motionless, his grip like steel. “Did you just deny me, boy?”
“I’m sorry. I can’t bring her to you. I can’t let you hurt her.”
“So much for trust.” The words were a snarl. “I should just drain you and be done with it.”
Jesse raised his chin and met Gideon’s flashing eyes. “Maybe you should. After everything I’ve told you, you still don’t trust me. If you did, you would understand that I must have a damned good reason for what I said. Whatever is happening to you is not permanent. If I don’t get the chance to figure it out, Michelle or John will. Then you can spend the rest of your existence knowing you destroyed somebody who is completely and utterly invested in you. What do I have to do to make you understand that all I care about, the only thing I care about in
