Page 199 of Heart of Frost and Scars

He’s a revelation. I’ve never seen him dressed up, let alone dressed like this. I try to reconcile the wild, mechanic-scented, arctic Viking with the man standing before me in an expensive black tuxedo.

His shoulder-length brown hair, usually windblown and tangled, is meticulously braided and pulled back into a sexy, savage knot that accentuates his chiseled features.

I love the way his muscled frame fills out the tux. The contrast of those classy lines against his feral beauty is a stunning juxtaposition. He looks like a savage prince, draped in the finery of civilization while refusing to be tamed.

God knows I haven’t tamed him. I would never try. I only want him to stay out of jail and not be so angry.

My relationship with him and Kody remains in discord. We kiss and touch and sleep in the same bed, but a gulf of unresolved shit churns between us, leaving a constant ache in my throat.

Not tonight. I’m not going to let it upset me tonight.

As I stride toward him, he anticipates what I want, leaning down so I can press my nose to his neck.

Delicious. Cedar, spice, and something sensual and primal swirls from his skin. My body responds with a powerful pull, tight and relentless, my nipples hardening beneath the dress.

“You both look so handsome.” I clutch my throat, stepping back. “I’m incredibly fortunate to have you at my side tonight, even if it means fending off all the women vying for your attention. I’ll be the envy of everyone there.”

They exchange a glance and, quite possibly, a shared smile.

“Tonight, we’re going to create something magical.” Meeting their eyes, I take each of their hands in mine. “No fighting, no jealousy, no tempers flaring. We’re setting aside our differences and showing up for Kody. You’re his brothers. We’re his greatest supporters.”

They nod, and the air squeezes from my lungs. There are so many things I want to say but can’t.

I love you both.

I love you emotionally, romantically, physically, eternally, in every way.

They’re everything I’ve ever wanted, everything I’ve ever needed. And tonight, for just a few hours, all three of them are mine.

Monty offers his elbow, and I take it. Leo falls into step beside us, looping his arm around my back.

Then the three of us, bound by pain, blood, and marriage, make our way to the waiting yacht.

Halfway to the dock, something itches between my shoulder blades, compelling me to glance back at the house.

In the dining room window, a dark shape hovers. The outline of a man.

I squint, trying to make out his features.

“Monty.” I pull on his arm, slowing his gait. “Did Oliver leave for the day?”

“I’m not sure.” He stops, his brow furrowing in thought as he looks at Leo.

“I thought he left earlier.” Leo toys with the ends of my hair. “Why?”

“He’s watching us from the dining room,” I say.

We all turn to look back at the house. But when we focus on the window, the shadow is gone.

“I must have been seeing things.”

Monty’s eyes linger on the house a moment longer before he nods. We continue on, the momentary disquiet dissolving as the anticipation of the evening takes over.

Thirty minutes later, we step onto the crowded sidewalk in front of the distillery. The first thing that strikes me is the sign on the building.

Strakh.

Kody kicked around a few ideas for the business name, but I’m glad he settled on this one. A name that carries such a dark history now has a chance to be redefined, to stand for something amazing and hopeful.

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