Page 92 of Lucky Strike

“I love you,” she says.

I close my eyes. Love is a distraction, and just like Heath said, I can’t afford too many more of those. And in a world where the most precious things can be taken in seconds by a vengeful enemy, being in love feels like having a target on our backs. Like waving a red cape at the universe and taunting it to come and get us.

The thing is, though, I’m already distracted by Bria. I’m in love with her, and I’ll fight the universe if it tries to take us down. I look at her and kiss her, a deep, drugging kiss. “I love you, too.” I’m gone, brought low by the pretty girl with the knowing eyes who sees me even when I try to hide. “I think I’ve loved you for a long time.”

“Then don’t keep things from me,” she begs. “Not anymore.”

I stare down at her, feeling her bravery conquer me bit by bit. How does she do it? “I don’t like keeping secrets. But there are some things that would only endanger you.”

“How would they endanger me? No one knows what I know, or what I don’t,” she says. “I’m not going anywhere, so you might as well let me stay at your side.”

“You don’t know what you’re asking.”

She stays quiet for a beat, her eyes searching mine. And then, when I think she might push me off, she nods slowly. “I do know.”

“I’ve been trying to keep you away from this life for so long, Bria. I don’t want you to get hurt.” I kiss her forehead, the side of her mouth, her neck. “I couldn’t live with myself.”

“I don’t want you to get hurt, either.”

“Me getting hurt would be my fault,” I say. “But you getting hurt would also be my fault. Losing you is not an option.”

“You won’t lose me.” She threads her hands through my hair.

“You don’t know that.”

“Because nothing is certain. We have no more control over what happens to us than anybody else. You think that you’re special? Because of the life you live?” She shakes her head. “I could die in my sleep tonight.”

“Don’t say shit like that.”

“But it’s true.”

“Doesn’t mean I want to hear it.” I settle some of my weight ontoher, like I can pin her down and keep her safe that way. “If we do this, that’s it. We’re together. There’s no one else for me.”

She smiles a little. “Good.”

“But that means there’s no one else for you, either.”

“I know.” Her smile grows. “I’ll tell Sawyer.”

“I’ll tell him,” I tease, squeezing her hip. “Seriously, though. Nobody else. We keep it tight. And no leaving.”

“If I was going to leave, I would’ve done it already.”

“You sure? I’m giving you one last chance.”

She smacks my chest. “Are you trying to get rid of me?”

“Maybe. It’s gonna be a wild ride. You might regret it.”

“I think I’d regret it more if I left.” She wraps her arms and legs around me, a full body hug. “It’s always been you, Lucky.”

I close my eyes again. My armor’s gone, so her words pierce my heart. I had no idea love could feel this way, so good that it hurts. “I don’t deserve that, but I’m glad. It’s always been you for me, too.”

“Even when you pushed me away.”

“Especially then.”

She pushes me off and peels her t-shirt over her head. “Show me how much you love me.”

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