Page 34 of Scarred Hearts

“It seems you like her,” Luke said, his eyes glinting with amusement.

“It doesn’t matter what I like or don’t like,” I replied. “I won’t ever act on it... again.”

Luke’s smirk widened.

“You took her home last night,” he stated, still amused.

I could feel my cheeks flush as Jade’s wide grin confirmed Luke’s words.

“I saw on the cameras,” he continued before I could even ask.

I nodded once, not wanting to give them any more ammunition. “I gave her a ride because she took the T and planned to walk home, and I wasn’t having that.”

“Did you sleep with her?” Jade asked bluntly, cutting through the tension.

Luke burst into laughter. “So, something happened, and now you’re in your head about it, trying to do the right thing but all you really want is to sleep with her again.”

I let out a heavy sigh, feeling exhausted by their teasing. “Not doing this with you guys.”

“Yes, you are,” Jade interjected firmly. “This is my club too, and we both know that Luke and I need to have your back in this. So, talk.”

She stood with her hands fisted on her hips, her expression challenging me to open up. “I like her for you,” she admitted. “And trust me, I won’t have to threaten her. She’s just as fiery as me.”

“Guys.” I exhaled, rubbing my temples in annoyance. “I can’t bring another woman into my fucked-up life.” They both opened their mouths to protest, but I cut them off before they could speak. “Yes, she’s already a part of this world, but I’m not going to let her get any deeper. I don’t want anyone else to get hurt because of me. I need to keep my distance and stay in my own head, because the moment I let someone else in, everything falls apart, and someone always ends up getting hurt.”

Her sarcastic expression slowly transformed into one of sympathy, her doe eyes softening as she looked at me. “Ty?—”

“Jade,” I interjected firmly, cutting off any protests she might have had. “I heard you loud and clear on the roof, but I need to do this for myself. I didn’t even let my kids go to their aunt and uncle’s house without a bodyguard. This isn’t the kind of life I want for anyone else.”

She opened her mouth to reply, but then closed it again. Multiple times, she shifted her weight, clearly ready to argue with me. But each time, she stopped herself when Luke reached out a hand for her. She stepped over to him, leaning into his side as he wrapped an arm around her waist.

“Well,” he replied, “I get it, but if anyone can handle the life, it’s her. Jade didn’t think she was a part of this bullshit before, neither did Jenna. But they’ve been fine.”

“Fine? I scoffed. “My fucking sister was kidnapped!”

Jade lurched her head back at him. “My ex tried to have Maddie and me killed.”

His grip tightened on her shoulder at the mention of that. “Fair,” he said, clenching his jaw before relaxing again. “My point is, let her decide what she wants. It’s not up to you.”

“You guys are annoying together, and I have a mountain of paperwork I have to go bury myself in.” Without giving them a chance to plead Giovanna’s case, I exited his office.

8

THERE ARE RULES

GIOVANNA

Jenna texted me earlier, asking if I wanted to move our brunch date up. I hadn’t planned on doing much other than recovering from the night before, when Tyler left me standing in the doorway naked with my wrists bound together. I was still mortified that Declan was the one who had to rescue me, but I was thankful at the same time.

As soon as he and Kirsten left my apartment, my twisted mind couldn’t stop getting turned on again by the image of Tyler looming over me, the way he tasted, and how fast he made me cum. I understood why he left, but that didn’t stop me from being angry with him for leaving me bound. So angry, in fact, that my thoughts ran wild. I ended up riding one of my painfully large dildos for an hour before finally exhausting myself enough to sleep.

And now here I was, sitting across from his sister, indulging in French toast and coffee like her brother hadn’t just made me squirt twice the night before. I tried my best to push thoughts of him out of my head, but it was driving me insane. Just when I thought I had succeeded, my mind wandered back to the intense moment against the window in my living room— No. I refuse to think about that right now or at all. I shifted my focus back to what was important.

Jenna was a burst of sunshine in human form, radiating joy and laughter wherever she went. Her tough exterior only added to her charm, and her smile could light up the darkest of rooms.

But it wasn’t just her personality that was captivating, it was also her appearance. Her long, silky chocolate hair cascaded down her shoulders in perfectly straight strands, as if it had been styled by a professional just moments ago. And her eyes, unlike her brothers’ warm brown ones, were a striking steel grey that seemed to change with every emotion.

Her makeup was flawless, as if she were ready to walk the runway at any moment. The bronze smokey cat eyes paired with Gucci’s Suzanne Sunset, Rouge à Lèvres Satin lipstick created a stunning look that I admired. I knew every shade of Gucci makeup by heart, and it was clear that she shared my obsession as she always wore their colors.

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