Page 82 of Fractured Fear

“I can’t,” I choke out with tears gathering in my eyes.

For a moment I think he’s going to let me go, save himself and his family. Part of my heart breaks at the thought. I want them to choose me. Fight for me. But that’s Selfish Spencer talking. I can’t be selfish here. They come first.

Zane lets out a breath rebuilding his resolve. He’s not letting me go. I’m half relieved, half scared. Relieved because he really does want me. He’s willing to fight for me. I’ve never had that before. Even Abuela was only able to do so much. I’d beg and plead to be able to stay with her when the summers would end, but she’d always send me back to Mom.

The other half is scared because these men may as well have signed their own death certificates. Anthony will do whatever it takes to get to me. It’s a miracle he’s left Mom alone all these years, but I know it’s her lack of knowledge that has saved her.

“I can do tonight. Asher, you still good for the rest of the day?” Zane asks.

“Yeah, I have a few more days until I have to be back at the office.”

“Rio?” Zane asks.

“I’ll come with you tonight. It’ll be nice to finally sleep without my legs being crammed against my chest in your car. I’m afraid that one day I won’t be able to stand up straight anymore,” Rio jests.

“What are y’all talking about?” I interject, but they ignore me and keep discussing amongst themselves.

“When I go back to work, Rio, can you be here?” Asher takes over the directions.

“No hay lugar donde prefiera estar,” Rio answers with a smile.

“Z, you got the weekend?”

“I’m all over it,” Zane gives my wrists a squeeze. “I can have some patrols drive by during the day as well,” he adds.

“Stop talking about me like I’m not here!”

They all look at me. Their attention is almost too much. Having the attention of these three powerful men is intoxicating. I don’t know if I ever felt anything else quite like it. It’s like they’re moments away from pouncing, but at the same time I’m the one in charge here. My next sentence comes out breathy even though I’m going for assertive. “No one is staying the night, and I don’t need a bodyguard.”

“Could have fooled me,” Asher scoffs.

“You really think we’re going to leave you alone after this stunt today?Estás más loca de lo que pensé.”

“Ugh! You infuriating, dumb, alpha men!”

“I take that as a compliment,” Asher comments.

“Angel, look at me,” Zane’s plea tugs at my heart and I can’t stop myself from complying. “Don’t deny me this. I need to protect you.Weneed to protect you. We’re going to do it whether you like it or not. It’s up to you if this goes smoothly or we handcuff you to one of us twenty-four-seven.”

I narrow my eyes at him and challenge, “You wouldn’t.”

“Try me. You think it was fun getting Asher’s text that he couldn’t find you? I broke every traffic law in this fucking state to get here. You won’t be without one of us until you can promise you won’t run. Even then, one of us will still be here, but without the threat of handcuffs.”

He better fucking not. Fuck no. “Try it Zane Kingston, and see what fucking happens.” I hope my threat actually comes across as threatening.

It doesn’t.

A wide smile spreads across Zane’s mouth, lighting up his face. “Does my Angel have claws?”

“I’m not joking here.”

“Neither am I.” He shifts my wrists into one hand and reaches back behind him with his free hand. When that hand comes back into view, the clink of metal rings in my ears. Dangling from his index finger is a set of handcuffs.

“Fine,” I spew through gritted teeth.

CHAPTER 34

SPENCER

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