Page 34 of Claiming Pretty

Ty turned to me, his cold gaze cutting through the silence. “We need to talk.”

“I’m not leaving her,” I shot back, tightening my protective hold on Ava.

Ava’s hand rested on my arm, her touch grounding me even as my blood still boiled.

“I’m fine, Scáth,” she said softly, her voice a mixture of reassurance and exhaustion.

I hesitated, the need to stay warring with her quiet plea for space.

Ty didn’t wait for my decision, heading for the door.

Gritting my teeth, I released Ava and followed him into the living room, leaving Lisa to sit with her.

Ty turned to face me, his expression as unreadable as ever.

“Until this is over, we’re going to have to put our… differences aside,” he said, his voice calm but firm. “For Ava.”

I nodded stiffly, the tension between us still thick. “She isn’t ever to be left alone.”

“That we can agree upon,” Ty said, extending his hand. “So… truce.”

I stared at his hand, then grabbed it in mine, squeezing harder than necessary.

Ty didn’t flinch, his grip matching mine, a silent reminder of the underlying tension in our so-called truce.

“Truce.” I narrowed my eyes at my brother—my twin, ultimately, myrival.“For now.”

AVA

Isat on the edge of the bed, my pulse still pounding from the fight, my muscles taut with leftover adrenaline. Every nerve in my body was alive, heightened, making me hyper-aware of everything—the cool draft from the open balcony door, the faint scent of cigarette smoke lingering in the air, and the sound of Ciaran’s approaching footsteps.

He stepped into my bedroom and my breath hitched. His broad shoulders filled the doorway, his shirt stretched across the muscles of his chest, and his blazing icy-blue eyes locked on mine.

The storm of emotions in them—relief, worry, anger, love—made my stomach flip.

He was a force, raw and unrelenting, and just looking at him made my skin heat and my heart race.Needcrackled under my skin.

We hadn’t had a chance to be alone together since I got back. Right now, that was all I needed.

Lisa, bless her intuitive soul, seemed to catch on in theway only a best friend could. With a flick of her eyes between us, she stood, smoothing down her dress.

“Running interference,” she whispered to me. “Stat.”

Before Ty could follow Ciaran into my room, she grabbed his arm, stopping him in his tracks.

“Time for new student orientation, Tynan,” she said, her tone firm but light. “Let’s go.”

Ty didn’t budge. His piercing gaze stayed on me, sharp and unreadable, lingering in a way that made my chest tighten.

I could hear Lisa muttering something to him, but his focus didn’t waver.

“I’m not leaving,” he said.

“Hey, bubby, read the fucking room,” Lisa said, her voice carrying just enough sass to make Ty’s jaw tick. “Those two lovebirds need to reconnect. And I don’t think you want to be here to hear it. Or, you know…seeit, considering her door won’t close anymore.”

“It’s okay, Mhaor,” I said, holding Ty’s gaze, hoping he’d understand.

For a single moment, his mask slipped. The pain in his eyes flitted across his face, raw and unguarded, cutting into me as sharply as a blade.

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