Page 55 of Born in Fire

“So I need time. And space. And eventually, if we’re going to have any kind of relationship, I need complete honesty. Not bullshit wrapped in vague explanations about ‘family traits’ or ‘genetic differences.’ Real answers about what you are and what’s happening between us.”

The line goes quiet except for his breathing, which sounds slightly ragged, as if he’s physically restraining himself.

“And if I can’t give you those answers right now?” he finally asks.

“Then we can’t move forward.” The words hurt to say, but I know they’re right. “I won’t compromise on this, Dorian. Not even for whatever this is between us.”

“I understand.” His voice is quiet, resigned. “For what it’s worth, I wish I could tell you everything. And I hope someday I can.”

“I hope so too.” My throat tightens. “But until then…”

“You need space.”

“Yes.”

Another silence, this one feels final.

“Will you at least let me know if Tyler contacts you again?” he asks. “Or if you feel threatened?”

The concern in his voice is genuine, which makes this harder. “Yes. I’ll do that.”

“Thank you.” He pauses. “Goodbye, Juno.”

“Goodbye, Dorian.”

I end the call before I can change my mind, ignoring the ache in my chest. For a long moment, I stare at the phone in my hand, then deliberately turn it off and place it face-down on the coffee table.

Moving to my easel, I look at the sketch of Dorian I started the day we met. I’ve added to it since then, capturing more details—the precise angle of his jaw, the focus in his eyes, the dragon tattoos on his arms that now seem less decorative and more… descriptive.

With deliberate movements, I cover the sketch with a clean sheet, hiding it from view. Then I walk to my bedroom and find the shirt I slept in last night—the one that still carries his scent—placing it in the hamper beneath other clothes.

Small actions. Symbolic gestures.

My apartment feels emptier than it did before I met him, the silence more profound. But as I make myself a fresh cup of tea—one I will actually drink this time—I recognize the feeling settling over me. Not just sadness or longing, though those are there too.

Relief.

Relief that I recognized the warning signs, that I shared my needs, that I chose self-protection over the insane pull of whatever this is between us. That I honored the woman I’ve fought to become.

Tyler almost destroyed me once. I won’t let anyone do it again, no matter how compelling the attraction or how genuine the connection feels.

It will hurt. But I’ve survived worse.

I am not the broken girl Tyler left behind. I am not defined by what’s been done to me or by what I’ve lost.

I am defined by what I choose. And tonight, I choose myself.

Chapter 16

Dorian

I arrive at the boardroom twenty minutes early, hoping to get my head straight before the others show up. I’d managed to stall things till we had more useful details to share, but after all that’s happened, they need to be brought up to speed with what we’re now facing.

Of course, Caleb is already here, his back to me as I toss my phone onto the boardroom table.

Juno’s face lights up my lock screen—a candid shot I took at the café, her head tilted back in laughter, unaware of the camera. I flip the phone over, but it’s too late. The image is burned into my mind, alongside the memory of her terrified expression when she caught a glimpse of my beast. It’s a pain that I feel in the coiling and uncoiling of the dragon within me. The creature who seems as drawn to her as I am.

Caleb finally turns to me, and I slouch in my chair, deliberately projecting an air of casual disinterest that I know irritates him.It’s our oldest dynamic—his rigid control versus my apparent lack of it.

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