Page 50 of Scarred Hearts

“I don’t give a fuck what she’s doing!” Giovanna barked, causing Ian and me to widen our eyes in shock. “Sorry,” she continued, her hands on her hips. “I mean how can I fix it?”

“I’m not telling you to fix shit,” he scoffed. “You had our backs, and I got yours. So, whatever this is,” he pointed at us both, “makes you untouchable. Just handle it yourself, but if any more blood is to be spilled in Euphoria or Luxe, it better be because I ordered it. Am I clear?”

“Yes, Mr. Knight.” She bowed her head ever so slightly.

He waved his hand dismissively. “I think we can be a little more informal away from work now.”

She smiled. “I’ll try.”

He took his phone out of his pocket, looking at the screen. “That’s Jenna asking where I am. I should get home.” He tapped on the phone for a moment before slipping it back into his pocket.

“I’ll walk you out,” I said.

Giovanna shifted her weight. “Who does Kat think stabbed him?”

Ian paused, gnawing the inside of his cheek for a moment before he replied. “Me.”

She gasped. “She’ll kill you!”

He grinned ominously. “I count on her eventually trying, and I’m prepared.”

“I’m not okay with that,” Giovanna replied sheepishly. “This is my battle. I caused this.”

“Gia,” he sighed, “it became my battle the minute you walked through the door of my club with Luke.” He bit back a grin, glancing at me before turning back to her. “But regardless of that, I protect what’s important to my family.”

I gnawed the inside of my cheek, fighting back telling him everything. Offering her a quick half-smile, I followed him outside to his car. Two of the security guards were posted on the front porch while Nico leaned on the outside of Ian’s Range Rover. As we approached, I arched a brow.

“He dragged you outta bed for this visit?” I asked.

Nico chuckled. “You know I never sleep anyway, and Ice Man’s resting.”

I nodded as he got back in the car. Ian twisted toward me. I knew that look, but I didn’t want to say anything in case there was a small chance I was wrong.

“I like her for you,” he commented.

Huffing, I shook my head. “Jade said the same thing.”

“Listen,” he lit a cigarette before he blew out a smooth grey cloud to the side. “I’ve been cautious, but I know she’s a good person. Jenna wouldn’t shut up about her. Luke, Jade, Chance, and Amber love her.” He smiled. “And as weird as it sounds, I think you fell in love with her the night you met her.”

“No, I?—”

“Shut up,” he quipped. “My point is, fuck whatever’s stopping you. You missed your chance to be with her before, so why miss it twice? Fuck your guilt. Harsh facts, you’re wicked miserable by not allowing yourself to be happy. I didn’t like Mila anyway, and she’s not coming back.” He shrugged. “I only tolerated her for you. She was too clean for this family.”

“What the fuck?” I grumbled. “Was there some family meeting I wasn’t invited to that you all decided you’d say the same shit to me when you got me alone?”

Brows pinched together, he took a drag of the cigarette, then lowered it to his side. “No, it’s because we know you and we want you to be happy.”

“Ian,” I ran my fingers through my hair, “I can’t be with her. I need to protect her.”

“With you, she’ll be as protected as she can possibly ever be. You think some Harvard dork can protect her?”

“I am a Harvard dork!” I rolled my eyes.

“Fair point. Okay, well, what happens when she finds another guy? Are you going to be okay with that?”

Fuck, I thought. No. Of course not. “She’s free to do whatever she wants.”

He shook his head. “Your face just screwed into about eight facial expressions,” he yanked the driver door open, “and none of them were happy.” I opened my mouth to speak, but he continued, “Stop being paranoid. Whatever happens, we got her back because she belongs to you. And if that doesn’t make you feel comfortable, I got her back regardless, because she’s got ours.”

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