Dukes of Madness (Royals of Forsyth University, #5)

by Angel Lawson

Watching Sy make an attempt at compassion is like watching a bear use a pair of tweezers.

“It’s not like that, Vinny.” Gently, he places my hand into my lap, resuming the brush’s strokes through my hair. “It’s the violet. I like the way it looks, not the way it hurts.”

Lavinia Lucia was the love of my goddamn life, and I would have done anything for her.

“...bring her back from the brink of death and all she cares about is that stupid cat.” A door slams, and another opens. “Where are you, you fucking—there you are. Stay still.” Rustling and cursing follows. “Come here, you little shit!” he says. “Don’t you fucking hiss at me!”

Except this morning, when I wake up to find her tucked up against my side. She must have rolled over and curled against me at some point. There’s a long stretch of time where I just lie there, flat on my back, cataloging the warmth of her skin against mine. Cool hands, hot feet, warm breaths. The realization doesn’t hit me so much as it just… arrives. I’ve been waiting for this. No. I’ve been hoping for this.

“Plus, she’s got my ink now, and that makes her mine. Oldest dibs known to mankind.”

And I don’t think she can help it. You’re like the person-version of that box her dad had her in. You suffocate her, man.”

I only let my touch linger for a second, thinking that being shot wouldn’t be so terrible if she were the one pulling the trigger. Hatred is better than nothing.

“Know what I think is funny?” I ask, offering a cutting smile. “The fact that men fail at fatherhood on such a statistically massive scale that there’s an actual term for it, but somehow it’s used to insult women.”

“I know my love isn’t worth anything to you, Lavinia.” His other hand brushes mine where it hangs, limp at my side. “But maybe theirs will be.”

“You have a fucking issue, Sy!” “And it won’t stop reading my goddamn textbooks!”