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Because I like a woman with fire. And I have a feeling this one isn’t just a flicker, she’s about to blaze through me.
“You know I’d do anything for my dumbass brothers,” I mutter. “But it doesn’t mean I won’t be a brat about it first.” Theo laughs, finally, the sound loosening the tight knot in my chest. “In true Bella fashion.”
I look at her, really look, and it hits me. This woman doesn’t need guarding. She just needs someone willing to stand beside her when the world catches fire. And God help me, I think that someone might be me. Even though it really shouldn’t be.
“Bella,” he murmurs. I look up. “Next time you want to hurt me,” he says quietly, “just do it with words or even your fists. Not my brother.”
“I wanted you from the damn second I laid eyes on you. I ached for you, and I have every day since. I’ve buried my feelings, my needs, thinking I was saving you from me. Protecting our marriage, when all it was doing was destroying us before we even got a chance, Bella.”
“Careful with your next move,” he warns. “You’re playing with fire.” “Maybe I want to get burned.”
“You trust her too much.” I glance at him, voice calm but final. “No. I trust her exactly enough.” He looks like he wants to argue, but something in my tone stops him. Because the thing about Bella King is, she doesn’t break. She detonates.
“I’m not sure I can take a guy as hot as you are, in a backwards hat and a slutty chain, into a bookstore.” “Oh yeah? Why is that?” I grab his throat. “Someone might try and steal you from me. Us book girls are thirsty.”
“I’ll go put on a shorter dress if you don’t.” I bat my lashes at him. He leans in and kisses me until I can’t breathe. “I can fight. So you’re safe to wear anything you want, baby. Looks like you’ll have to do the same to protect us, huh?” I chew on my lip. “If I get arrested today, it’s on both of you.”
Everyone here has been staring at them. But, they’re gigantic. Gorgeous. Complete with Irish accents and armfuls of spicy books—it’s unfair, really.
She found out, and instead of running, she turned it into a war. I’ve never loved her more.
Bella King, you brilliant, beautiful menace. If this is her challenge, then fine. I’ll play. Because no matter how many games she throws at us, I already know how mine ends. With her name on my lips and a ring in my hand.
“You want the truth?” I say finally. Her chin lifts, eyes locked on mine. “You think control keeps you safe,” I tell her. “That if you’re the one making the rules, no one can ever hurt you again. But it’s not safety you want, it’s permission to be yourself and still be loved. You want someone to look at the chaos in your head and not flinch. You want to burn and still be loved for the smoke it creates.”
