Page 64 of A Rogue Cowboy's Kiss

“But you did,” Brody said. “And when Bella hired Dylan, it was to keep you alive, because she loves you. She knew you’d be pissed, and she said it would probably end the relationship, but she was doing it anyway.”

“Yeah,” Dylan added. “She said she’d rather have you alive and hating her than dead and loving her. That’s love, my friend.”

Those words settled deep in Falcon’s gut.

Brody sat down on the end chair. “You broke through her defenses, Falcon, and that means you forfeited certain rights. You don’t need to love her, but you don’t get to be a dumbass who chases death because he has commitment issues.”

Falcon blinked. “I don’t have commitment issues.” But as soon as he said it, he stopped. “Bella said I do,” he admitted.

Brody smiled. “We all do, Falcon. When we come from such a fucked-up childhood, the shadows stay with us, until we decideto shine the light on them and make them dissolve. This is your chance. Shine the light or keep living in their grasp.”

Falcon let out his breath and leaned back in his seat, clasping his hands on top of his head. “I don’t think I’m good for her,” he finally admitted.

“Why not?” Brody asked.

“We want different things. I don’t want to trap her. She deserves her freedom.”

Dylan snorted. “Are you so sure you’d be a trap?”

“Yeah, I want marriage and kids, and she doesn’t—” He stopped himself as he said that. “Except she proposed to me. To test me.”

The men exchanged glances. “You failed the test, I assume?” Dylan said. “That’s why she left?”

“Yeah.”

Silence fell in the house for a few minutes while the men let Falcon stew in his own thoughts.

“Bella wants you alive so much that she was willing to have you hate her forever. That’s love,” Brody finally said. “And you would rather get yourself killed than take away her dreams? That feels very similar. Deep love on both sides.”

“Sure does,” Dylan said. “Almost identical. Couple of idiots refusing to see what matters, you think?”

“There’s a good chance of that,” Brody said.

Falcon swiveled on the chair, suddenly restless. “Do you think,” he asked slowly, choosing his words, “that I could be good for her? Be honest.”

Brody grinned. “She loves you, and you love her. You’re a good man, Falcon. You get us, and Bella, and our history, and you’re so protective of her that it makes my big brother heart happy.”

Falcon looked at Brody. “Do you think I’d make herhappy?”He just wanted her happy. Whatever it took.

Brody looked at Dylan, then back at Falcon. “You two are the ones who have to answer that. But answer it honestly, not influenced by the past that you both carry with you.”

“That’s impossible.”

“It’s not. You just have to shine your light brighter than the shadows to get started.” Brody stood up. “Decide that you both have a right to be truly happy, and then see where that takes you.” His hand knocked a notepad on the counter, and he glanced down at it, then smiled. “Read this note. She told us about you. And we support you fully.”

“She told you what?”

But Brody was already headed toward the door.

Dylan launched himself to his feet. “The case isn’t yours anymore, Falcon. Find something else to do with your life.”

Then the two men let themselves out of the house, slamming the door behind them.

Falcon swore and leaned back in his seat. What the hell?

Find something else to do with his life.

Like what?

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