Sloane's POV
Both Zia and Xavier are shocked at my use of his shortened name. His hold on me locks tighter, his entire body going rigid as the sudden pet name hits him like a physical force.
I’d never done that before.
Inside me, Zia is just as stunned, but she preens, practically purring with smug delight as Xavier’s grip feels like a possessive shield.
I can practically feel the jolt of shock echo through his chest, his heart hammering against my cheek as his brain scrambles to catch up to the sheer audacity of my play.
They both know I’m weaponizing the moment, but neither of them is about to stop me. Anyone with half a brain can see that, while we’re both a mess, Judy is the one with the red face. It’s clear as day what happened here.
Next to Caleb, Eileen opens her mouth to say
