Page 75 of He Falls First

“Hendrix, you’ve always been a fool, but this? This takes the cake,” he sneers, his gaze settling on Elizabeth with venom. “You could do so much better than this pathetic little girl who’s just clinging onto your coattails.”

Anger flares within me. After everything he’s done, he’s still trying to tear me down through someone I love. I start toward him, ready to put him in his place, but Elizabeth’s hand on my arm stops me short.

“He’s not worth it,” she says softly.

“I’m not worth it?” Tobias snorts. “You, little girl, are the one who’s cheapening the Monroe family name. Not me.”

My hands clench at my sides, knuckles itching for contact. I can feel Elizabeth tensing up too, her breath hitching.

“Tobias,” I warn, voice low and even.

“Come on, Hendrix, who are you kidding?” He laughs, pointed and cruel. “You think this will last? That she’ll stick around once the novelty wears off? That you’ll stick around once she’s past her prime? I think we can all see why you’d find her entertaining.”

I don’t know what he thinks he’s seeing, but as for me, I see red. There’s a line, and he’s just pole-vaulted over it. Without another thought, my fist flies, connecting solidly with his jaw. The crack echoes, oddly satisfying. Tobias stumbles back, shock overtaking the smugness on his face.

“Should’ve done that years ago,” I mutter, shaking out my hand. The pain feels good. Feels right.

I won’t let my estranged relationship with Tobias hang over my head anymore. I’m staunchly and unapologetically claiming Gabrielle and Harper as my family, and I won’t let anyone get between me and my family.

Elizabeth’s staring at me, her eyes wide. “Hendrix…”

“Elizabeth, I love you,” I say, because it’s the only thing I want to say right now.

She looks at me. Taking a deep breath, she finally replies.

“I… I love you too, Hendrix.”

A warmth unlike anything I’ve ever felt before blooms in my chest, wrapping around my heart like a comforting embrace. I lean in and kiss her deeply. For a moment, nothing else exists except the two of us.

When we finally break apart, Elizabeth lets out a contented sigh. “So what happens now?”

I take her hands in mine. “Now we start living. No more pretending or hiding how we really feel. I want to be with you, Elizabeth, in every way.”

She smiles and takes my hand without hesitation.

Unable to resist, I pull her in for another searing kiss.

When we come up for air, I say, “Let’s get out of here. We’re due for a family celebration.”

Chapter 33

Elizabeth

Istand in front of the mirror in Hendrix’s bedroom, fumbling with the clasp of my necklace, which feels too fancy and elaborate for the moment. We have people coming over soon and I’ve just changed clothes, opting for a more comfortable maxi dress instead of the fancy gown I had on to impress everyone at the LocalLink launch party. My hands are shaking—not from nerves, but from an electric anticipation that thrums under my skin.

“Need some help?” His voice is low, a rumble that seems to vibrate through the room.

I turn to find Hendrix behind me, shirtless, the tattoos on his forearms standing out like intricate artwork against his tanned skin. He looks at me through hooded eyes, and there’s this heat there, this raw intensity that makes my mouth dry.

“Aren’t you supposed to be dressed? They’ll be here soon.” I make no effort to hide my gawking as I say this, so he doesn’t even pretend to take me seriously.

“Really? Because with the way you’re looking at me, I get the feeling you’d rather cancel.” He smirks.

“Maybe not cancel,” I hedge. “But delay, for sure. Think it’d be inappropriate to send out a text asking them to hold off for about the time it takes to have sex? I’ll have to warn them that you can go all night…”

God, his laugh is so damn sexy. He finishes it off by licking his lips. “How about we hurry instead? I could go for a quickie. I could go for anything if it means I can have you.”

By the time he finishes talking, he’s right beside me, so close I can feel his chest rise as he takes a deep breath. His scent, that sandalwood smell that used to intimidate me, now smells to me like the feeling of being held. Loved.

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