Book 3 -19-

Book 3 -19-

[Jasper’s Downfall]

ARIELLA

Nervous, I paced back and forth at the foot of the bed, gnawing at my fingernails, trying to calm my frazzled nerves. Was it effective? I’d have to say no. No matter how many times I sit or tell myself to relax, my nerves tense up and I break out in a cold sweat.

“Ariella, I understand you’re nervous. We all are, but you’ve got to take a breath. You’re making me nervous just looking at you,” Declan said, running a hand through his unkempt hair.

That made me laugh. I stopped pacing and faced him. Leaning against the wall, I released a deep breath and plastered on a smile. “I’m sorry,” I apologized with a downcast glance.

He stared at me with those kind brown eyes of his, waiting for my nerves to subside. But they never did—not fully, anyway. “Please try not to worry,” he whispered.

I nodded, and gripped my hands tightly together, trying but failing to relax. “Trying,” I whispered back. “Talk to me, then. Tell me why doing this is so important to