Page 76 of Property of Fox

“By claiming me?” she spits back. “Is that what you had planned to do this entire time? Slap a property patch on my back and make your club help me?”

I take a deep breath, wrestling with the words that claw at my throat. “No, it’s not like that,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady despite the storm brewing inside me. “It’s about keeping you safe.”

Her green eyes flash defiantly, and I can’t help but admire that fire in her. She crosses her arms, curving her body away from me as if shielding herself from our confrontation. “By sacrificing your club in the process. It’s bad enough that Keira and now you, are wrapped up into my mess, but I would never be able to live with myself if someone else got hurt or, worse, died, because of me.”

“But you’re okay sacrificing yourself?”

“Don’t twist my words,” she snaps.

“Do you not care what losing you would do to me, Brea? Have you even thought of that?”

Her eyes widen, and for a moment, I think I see something in them—fear, maybe even a hint of regret. But it vanishes as quickly as it appeared, replaced by that fierce defiance. “And what would you have me do? Bow down and let you decide what's best for me just because you've claimed me? If I wanted to live that life, I would have stayed in Bloomington with my mom and Tank.”

I move closer, my instincts telling me to bridge the space between us, yet I can sense her walls growing thicker. “Brea,” I say softly, letting some of the edge fade from my voice, “this isn’t about control. This is about survival. Yours. Please reconsider. If not for me, but for you and Keira.”

“No,” she shakes her head. “I know what it means to be claimed by a biker. I will not be shared with the officers to wear your patch and get protection. I’d rather die than subject myself to that.”

“Where did that come from? Jesus, is that what they do to their women? How do you know that?”

“My mom,” she admits. “They put her through hell because of Tank. I refuse to be like her.”

“Brea, that’s not how my club works. I would never let someone touch you or fuck you. Do you think that’s the kind of man that I am? We don’t pass our women around like a fucking offering plate at church. You know me better than that?”

“But, your club…”

“We aren’t the fucking Hoosier Hellions, Brea? Do you think for a single second that they would protect you like I am desperately trying to do? I would rather give up my fucking cut than to let you step a foot out of this clubhouse without protection.”

“You act like I’m asking you to sell your soul. But in reality, I’m just trying to keep you alive. Accept the claim, baby.”

“I can’t.” Her eyes plead with me, but I can see the fear and desperation behind them. She takes a hesitant step closer, her hand reaching out to rest against my chest as if she can feel my heart hammering inside. “I hate that my decision is hurting you. I wish you could understand why I have to do this.” Her voice cracks with emotion.

“I wish I could see it from your perspective too,” I say, capturing her hand, desperate to bridge the newly formed chasm between us. “At least tell me why you won’t reconsider my offer.”

“I don’t want to be claimed because it’s a necessary evil.”

“I want you to be safe. I want you to be free to make your own decisions and to live the life you deserve to live. My claim can give you that.”

Brea's green eyes search mine. "What if I want to choose my own path—away from you? Would you be able to accept that?"

The thought destroys me. I’ve never met someone who has gotten under my skin like she has. I used to think that I’d live my life as a bachelor, never settling down and just having fun. But now, I’m not sure that’s still what I want. I swallow hard, the answer hanging in the air between us. “If it made you happy and safe, I’d let you go. It would kill me to do it, but if it meant you’d be happy, I’d step aside.”

She studies me in silence, doubt still flickering across her features, and I brace myself for another wave of rejection. But instead, a single tear breaks free from the corner of her eye, cascading down her cheek. “Why do you have to be so damn noble?” she whispers, her voice thick with emotion. “You make it so hard to push you away.”

I reach up instinctively to wipe the tear away, my thumb brushing against her soft skin. “Because that’s what you deserve,” I declare, my voice low but steady as I look deep into her eyes.

“Why? I was trying to give you a way out of this mess with me.”

“It’s simple, baby. I want you. All of you—fire and fury and everything in between.” She blinks rapidly, fighting the tide of emotions swirling in her chest. I tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear, the small gesture stirring something deep within me. Her breath catches as surprise dances across her features, and for a heartbeat, I fear I’ve gone too far. But then those lovely green eyes soften again, and I can almost feel her heart racing in sync with mine. “I’ll take whatever you’ll give me.”

“You shouldn’t say things like that if you don’t mean them,” she murmurs.

“I mean every word.” My voice is steady, unyielding. “Claim or no claim, you’re it for me, firefly.” Brea’s breath catches inher throat at my admission. “Mine to protect. Mine to love.” The truth is, I claimed her the moment I saw her. I just didn’t realize it until now.

“Fox…” she starts, but her voice trails off as her gaze drops to the floor between us. Her fingers twitch slightly against my chest, and I can feel the fight within her.

“Look at me,” I whisper, lifting her chin gently until those captivating green eyes lock onto mine again. “You don’t have to decide right now, firefly, but now you know why I’m trying so hard to fight for you.”

I graze my lips over hers softly at first, testing the waters, and when she doesn’t pull back or shy away, I deepen our connection. I lose myself in the taste of her. I try to kiss away her fears, and mine. For those precious moments, nothing else exists except Brea and the truth of this moment. Her lips are soft and sweet, tasting like the very essence of everything I’ve been yearning for.

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