Page 150 of The Price of Forever

“Pretty boy is no longer pretty.”

A comfortable silence settled between us. I scooped her hand between mine, pressing a kiss to it.

“I love you so much, Jordan.”

Her blue-gray eyes went watery as she watched me, a smile drifting across her lips. “I love you more.”

I nuzzled her hand, feeling so full and complete while simultaneously ready to dissolve. “Has it been twenty-four hours yet?”

“Nope.”

“Fine.” I couldn’t fight the grin. Even in the hospital, she found a way to be the brat I loved.

“Promise me you’ll go home and at least take a nap,” she said. “I’m about to pass out.”

“I’ll do that. Only for you.” I leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to her lips.

As soon as I pushed through to the waiting room, I could tell something was wrong. The three brothers watched me approach, varying degrees of tightness in their faces. I could only assume Axel had shared what he’d seen.

“She’s ready to sleep again,” I said, opting to break the ice with an update. I sank into the chair next to Trace, facing Axel and Damian in the opposing line of chairs. Nobody said anything.

“How long have you two been together?” Damian’s question sliced through the air like a knife. He watched me curiously, and I couldn’t entirely read him. He sounded genuine, though the question also felt like a test.

I cleared my throat. “Not long. It sort of only came up…recently.”

Axel ran his tongue over his teeth, studying me closely. “There’s always been something between you two though, hasn’t there?”

I squeezed my eyes shut, unable to lie. Unwilling to lie. “There has. Even though I ignored it for a long time.”

“Don’t you find it a little…inappropriate?” Damian asked. “Especially after all the times you’ve insisted that it was against protocol.”

I studied the floor, nodding. “I do. It’s not how I conduct business. It’s not something that’s ever happened to me before. But believe me—this was completely unexpected. I never once dreamed that we would…feel this way about each other.”

The brothers regarded me heavily. I wasn’t sure if they were impressed by my words or disgusted. But whatever their response was, I was relieved to have this out in the air. No longer a secret I had to hide behind.

“Will this impact the quality of your protection?” Trace asked suddenly.

“No. And for what it’s worth, her full-time protection has been transferred to a different guard.” I looked over at Damian. “Like we discussed more recently.”

Axel leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. He seared me with a look. “Be honest with me, Seven. Were you two at Eli’s last night?”

I clenched my teeth, everything inside me sinking down, down, down. I didn’t know a way past this question.

“Think carefully about your answer,” Damian added, “because whatever you tell me, I have ways to verify.”

I studied my knuckles, remembering the way they’d cracked against Eli’s jawbone. I braced myself for the fallout once the words passed my lips. “We were.”

Axel sighed testily. Damian’s gaze grew edged with something I’d never seen before, and Trace sank back into his chair, rubbing his face.

“Seven, did we not just fucking talk about this?” Axel spat out.

“We did,” I said.

“Then why the fuck would you take her there? Next you’re gonna tell me that he’s the one who almost raped her.”

I squeezed my eyes shut, willing myself to hold the line. I couldn’t share the investigation with them. Not now. Not like this. We needed to complete the steps, hand over the evidence, and see what happened. That’s how it had to go.

“I’d like to view it as I protected her despite decisions that led to us attending that party,” I finally bit out.

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