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His words bear down on me, harsh and unrelenting. His anger is worse.
“You won’t think about interfering with my plans for our father,” he continues. “You won’t even dare to ask to be involved. You will keep your thoughts and your relationship to yourself, and save your boy toy the pain of getting a knife in the neck. Do you hear me?”
I hear him.
I hear him too loud. Too clear.
The ultimatum repeats in my ears like a life sentence and clemency, all at once.
“Okay,” I whisper.
“And if you upset her,” he points a menacing finger at Sebastian, “even once, I won’t kill you. You won’t be that lucky. But I’ll make sure you wish you were dead.”
“Understood.” Sebastian pulls me into his side with an arm around my waist.
We stand together, closer than we’ve ever been while my brother retreats toward the door.
“Wait,” Sebastian calls out. “You need to know Hunt wasn’t involved in this. He wasn’t aware of my co
My brother pauses, his stance rigid.
There’s no belief in his features. There’s no dispute, either.
“He knew at some point.”
“Two days ago,” I interrupt. “When he beat Sebastian to a bloody pulp in an attempt to get answers.”
Cole nods, his acceptance inconclusive, before he walks down the hall and out of view.
I remain in place, stu
“I don’t know.”
I stare into the hall as my mind does a rerun, trying to work out the puzzle. “Maybe he likes you after all?”
“No, pop tart.” He steps into me, wrapping an arm around my neck, the other around my waist. “He doesn’t like me in the slightest. He’s only saving my ass to make you happy.”
“Well, it worked.” My chest burns, every nerve tingling beneath warmed flesh. “I’m so happy, Sebastian.”
“Me, too. But what happened tonight is going to catch up with you pretty soon. The shock will be brutal.”
I nod and snuggle into his chest. “I know. I can already feel it.”
The memories hover on the periphery, fighting to be heard.
“You won’t be alone.” His hold tightens. “I’ve got you.”
My eyes tingle with the threat of tears. I don’t want to ruin this. I need our moment to remain with me a little while longer before the demons arrive. “Do you think we’re capable of getting through a twenty-four-hour period without deceiving each other?”
He chuckles, the vibrations nuzzling my cheek. “God, I hope so. If you didn’t pick up what your brother was putting down, I kinda need for us to get through a lot of twenty-four-hour periods if I don’t want my dick blown off.”
“How many do you think you can handle?”
“I’m pretty sure I don’t want to lose this third leg of mine, which means you’re stuck with me indefinitely.”
“Why doesn’t it surprise me that you’re making jokes at a time like this?”
He blankets me with affection, the adoration seeping under my skin. “Because you know me, sparkles. You know me better than I know myself.”