Page 149 of Succumbed

“I hear you, Lex. I do. I…I don’t want to hurt him any more than I already have.”

Searching his face, I tighten my fingers around his. “What’s done is done, but it’s not too late, you know. To build a family of your own, with me. With Jax.”

Nate lets out a shuddering breath. “You sure about that?”

“Without a doubt. Not saying it’ll be easy.” I smirk, squeezing his hand again. “You still physically incapable of not rising to a challenge?”

He chuckles. “You could say that.”

“Good. I have high expectations, little brother.”

“I’d expect nothing less.” Nate grins.

Chapter 44

Declan

“Guys, it’s starting!” Linc hollers.

I pause my workout, stepping back from the bag. Shane’s footfalls sound overhead, followed by Lincoln’s thundering stomps. My brow furrows as I pull off my gloves, breathing hard.

Shane came home late from a meeting at Athena the day before with the news Lex would be on TV again. Apparently, she had an interview with a local morning show about startups in the Bay. Linc had eagerly put a hold on our personal and company calendars, blocking the time so we could all watch together.

“Declan!” Shane roars.

Sighing, I swing a towel over my shoulder before jogging up the stairs in nothing more than my black athletic shorts. When I reach the living room, Shane aggressively gestures to the gap on the sofa between them before turning his attention back to the screen.

“I won’t fit,” I grouse, crossing my arms. “And I’m sweaty, I’ll–”

“Shut the fuck up and sit down,” Linc barks.

I blink while he just grins at the TV. Asshole. Grumbling, I squeeze myself between them.

“How do neither of you understand the concept of personal space?” I complain, shoulders hunched.

Shane pats my knee. “Get used to it.”

My brows rise. “What makes you think I’m going to get used to it if I haven’t–”

“Shhhhhh,” Linc interrupts, holding his hand over my mouth. “There she is!”

Breathing is suddenly difficult. I tear Linc’s hand away as Lex smiles graciously at the morning show host, her jaw-length dark auburn hair styled in soft waves. She’s wearing a burgundy pantsuit over a silky black camisole, her light green eyes popping against the rich colors. I want to reach through the television and press myself against her, inhale her very essence.

“How’s your no-contact strategy working out for you right now?” Linc asks good-naturedly as he shoves his shoulder into mine.

“Fuck off,” I mutter, eyes glued on the woman of my dreams.

I’ve been a coward, just as she accused me of those weeks ago, more comfortable wallowing in my own self-loathing than trying to fix things. Seeing her again, so close and yet so far, makes me think I’ve been a fool to wait.

“We’re so glad to have you join us for our Bay’s Brightest Startups segment, Lex!” The brunette host smiles brightly at her guest before turning to the camera. “Lex Livingston is the founder and CEO of the Bay’s most successful venture capital firm, Athena Ventures. She’s also on the board for Brightest in the Bay, and will host the upcoming annual award night. Welcome!”

“Thank you, Amanda. It’s a pleasure to be here.”

Her voice is an arrow to my heart. I practically vibrate with tension, my fingers digging into my knees. Avoiding her for the last three weeks was torture.

Lex talks about a high-tech startup making headlines for their compression algorithm, discussing the potential impact for the entertainment industry. I’m barely listening to the words as I bask in her voice and drink up the simple sight of her. I’m in fucking trouble.

“Let’s talk about green tech,” the host gushes. “You were in Paris a few weeks ago, weren’t you?”

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