Page 40 of Dangerous Devotion

I stopped in a quiet corner of the house and stared out a window at the manicured grounds of a rose garden. Everything here was so pristine, so perfect on the surface. But underneath, it was all secrets and lies—just like Vince, just like our relationship.

I leaned my forehead against the cool glass and closed my eyes. I was in over my head—that much was clear. Part of me wanted to run, to disappear like I’d planned to. But another part, a part that scared me with its intensity, knew I couldn’t leave Vince. Not in this situation, not now.

I was angry at him, yes. Terrified of the situation we were in, absolutely. But underneath it all, I was feeling a fierce protectiveness I couldn’t shake. Vince needed me, whetherhe realized it or not. And despite everything, I needed him, too.

I straightened and took a deep breath. I didn’t know how and where I would fit in all of this yet. Didn’t know how I could have my freedom, the life I wanted, and stay by his side, but I would figure it out. One thing was certain—I wasn’t going to let Vince push me aside.

If we were in this, we were in it together.

I sank into a nearby chair, suddenly exhausted. I’d known getting involved with and committing to Vince would be complicated, but I never imagined this. I needed someone to help me talk this through.

I found Iset—no Isa, not Iset—I needed to stop thinking about her like that—and Mira first, and they helped me track down Fee in one of the guest rooms.

I knocked, then entered with them in tow. I wanted their input, as well, since they knew their brother better than anyone.

Fee looked up as we entered, and her brows furrowed as soon as she saw me.

“What’s wrong?”

I sank onto the bed, my emotions threatening to overwhelm me. “I don’t know.” I chuckled, but it sounded hollow even to my own ears.

“What did my idiot brother do now?” Mira asked, and my love for her skyrocketed.

Fee sat beside me, her hand on my arm. “What happened?”

I explained the conversation in Vince’s office, how he’d laid out the wedding plans like a business strategy, barelyacknowledging me. “He didn’t even let me touch him. It’s like he’s a completely different person,” I finished.

Isa was quiet for a moment, her eyes thoughtful. “He’s in protector mode.”

I blinked, surprised. “Protector mode?”

She nodded.

“He’s protecting people by pushing them away? That makes zero sense,” I said.

“He’s always been like that as long as I can remember. If he’s mean to you, you know he cares about you. And if he’s really pissed off and harsh, or distant, he’s truly worried,” Isa said.

“Honestly, I can probably count the times he hugged me on one hand,” Mira said. “But he barks at me or gives me that look of disappointment at least once every time we see each other. It’s just the way he is—doesn’t mean he doesn’t love you.”

Isa nodded. “I remember the first time Vince made me cry. I must’ve been eight or nine. I went missing, and when they finally found me again, Vince completely lost it.”

She had a faraway look in her eyes. “He was so mean, I broke out in tears and bawled like a baby. I was sure he hated me.” She smiled at the memory. “Dante followed me to my room and told me how Vince was so scared, and how frantically he looked for me, and how much he loves me.”

She shook her head. “The way he behaves has to do with something that happened when he was young. I don’t know the details, but ever since then, Vince has become an expert at hiding his feelings.”

Fee cocked her head. “Think about it. His own father just put a hit out on him. Everyone close to him is in danger now.Maybe he thinks distancing himself from you will keep you safer.”

I mulled over her words. Given Vince’s protective nature, it made sense, in a twisted kind of way. But still…

“So what do I do?” I asked. “Do I confront him about it? Or just accept it…and go along with it?”

Fee squeezed my hand. “That depends on what you want, Jemma. Are you ready to fight for this relationship? Or do you want out?”

I closed my eyes, picturing Vince’s face. Despite everything, the thought of walking away made my chest ache. “I don’t want out,” I admitted softly. But I wouldn’t just play along either.

I chewed my lip, weighing my options: Confront Vince about his sudden cold shoulder or play along—wait until things got better? Neither felt quite right. And neither felt like me. I was never one to hold back, to hide my true feelings. Maybe it was time for Vince to realize that you could be strong and show your feelings at the same time.

“You know what?” I said, sitting up straighter. “I’m not going to do either.”

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