Page 43 of The Wrangler

“I’ll do it again,” Jesse said, his voice calm, unwavering. “Every damn time.”

Something flickered in Reed’s expression. “You love her.”

Jesse met his gaze, steady and sure. “Yeah. I do.”

Reed snorted, shaking his head. “Shit.”

Jesse braced himself. He expected a fight, a warning, maybe even a goddamn punch to the face, but Reed just stared at him for a long moment, something unreadable in his expression.

Then, finally, he spoke. “Don’t fuck it up.”

Jesse blinked. “That’s it? No threats? No lectures?”

Reed ran a hand over his face, exhaling. “She’s my sister, Jesse. My little sister.” His voice was rough, worn at the edges. “I’ve spent my whole damn life making sure she had everything she needed. That she was safe. That no one broke her.”

Jesse swallowed hard. “I’m not gonna break her, Reed. I’m going to spend the rest of my life doing the same. I love her, and she loves me.”

Reed’s gaze sharpened. “So, I’ve been told.” He took a step closer, his voice dropping. “I’m not supposed to threaten you, but I don’t care. If you ever hurt her, I will end you. No hesitation. No discussion.”

Jesse inclined his head. “Understood.”

The two men held the stare for a long, weighted beat before, at last, Reed nodded once and turned toward the door. He paused just before stepping out. “And Jesse?”

“Yeah?”

Reed glanced over his shoulder, something dangerously close to amusement in his eyes. “You’re going to make this legal, right?”

Jesse let out a breath. “Collar and ring as soon as I can get someone to help me find what I want.”

Reed grunted. “Good.” Then he walked out, leaving Jesse alone with the realization that he’d just won the most important battle of his life.

A second later, Keely stormed in, coffee in one hand, frustration in her eyes. “Please tell me my brother didn’t try to murder you while I was gone.”

Jesse chuckled, his ribs protesting the movement. “Nope. He just threatened my life and left. Real civilized conversation with the usual dick measuring.”

Keely rolled her eyes. “He’s lucky I love him and so are you.”

Jesse’s gaze locked onto hers. “Yeah?”

She grinned. “Yeah.”

Jesse reached out, snagging her wrist, tugging her down until she was practically in his lap. “Say it.”

Her body softened against him, and whispered, “I love you.”

Jesse didn’t waste another second.

Hetookher mouth, kissing her like he’d been starving for it—because he had.

Keely moaned against his lips, her hands fisting in his shirt, her body pressing flush against his. Jesse swallowed the sound, deepening the kiss, owning it.

When he finally pulled back, her flushed cheeks, bright eyes, and uneven breath were clear.

Jesse pressed his forehead to hers, his grip possessive. “We’re going to make this work, Keely. Whatever it takes.”

She inhaled sharply. “Even if my brother tries to kill you?”

Jesse chuckled. “He can try, but I’ll win… my dick is bigger than his.”

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