Page 61 of Misery and Ecstasy

Royce has a cunning way about him, knowing exactly what words to use to injure you the most. Breathing heavily, I shrug Firewall off of me.

“I didn’t know which one of you idiots was stupid enough to fuck her until I overheard Toga ask Chubbs if he knew why you stayed in your old room last night.”

My eyes shift to Toga where he’s standing across the island from me. He’s got an apologetic look on his face, but I know his question was harmless. I briefly close my eyes and try to center myself. When I open them again, I nod to let Toga know I’m not mad at him.

“Look, I’m glad you’re feeling well enough to get your dick wet again.” Delilah winces at Royce’s words. She can’t stand it when he gets like this, and I feel guilty that once again, I’m the cause of his ire. “But that’s what the Harlots are for. That doc’s loyalties and values don’t align with ours. I was desperate when I brought her in to help Delilah, but if you ask me, she’s beginning to overstay her welcome.”

My head snaps in his direction at the same time that Delilah’s hand wraps around his bicep. She likes the doc too much to allow Royce to bring any harm to her.

And now? I know for certain I do too.

If it wasn’t the mind-blowing sex or the way I haven’t been able to stop thinking about her since she picked me up from jail—or since the night we met—then it’s the threat to her life rolling off of Royce’s lips that confirms it.

I’m falling for McKinsey.

Now more than ever, I’m hell-bent on making her mine.

And no one is going to get away with threatening her life in my presence.

“Let’s get one thing straight, Royce. She’s not a whore, and I’m not justgetting my dick wet. You of all people should know you can’t help who you fall for. And look what almost happened to Delilah because your stubborn ass took too long to realize it.”

He snarls at me, attempting to lunge, but Delilah pulls him back. If he’s going to hit below the belt, I’ll do it right back. But I am disappointed in myself for bringing Delilah into it. Especially when she’s standing right here. It was a dick move, so I’ll have to apologize for it later.

“You better watch it.” Royce spits the words out through clenched teeth.

“No, you fucking watch it.” My stare doesn’t falter as our showdown continues. “The doc is under my protection. Off limits. Got it?”

I’m not staking a claim on her as much as I’m ensuring her safety.

It’ll be up to Kins to allow me to possess her.

As Delilah tries to coax Royce from the kitchen, he digs his feet in with an ugly grimace on his face.

“Please, Royce. Let’s go home.” Delilah’s words finally cause him to stand down, then she ushers him outside.

I lose some of my bravado once they’re gone, letting my stance relax. Inhaling deeply through my nose, I try to calm my breathing. I know I stepped over the line, just like I know the passes Royce has been giving me for my unruly behavior have just run out. He’s done letting me wallow in my grief while making piss-poor decisions.

Though choosing McKinsey will never be a bad decision.

Delilah will calm him down and help him see reason. She has Royce wrapped around her finger whether he wants to believe it or not. He just needs to come to terms with the fact that the doc isn’t any more of a threat to us now than she was that first night we ordered her here.

Looking around the room, regret catches in my chest when I meet Atticus’s eyes.

“I’m sorry. I should have known better.” Slowly walking over to him, our brothers back off. But barely—just in the event they need to step in again.

“Yeah, you fucking should have.” Atty’s nostrils are flared, his mouth set in a stern line. But only for another second before his lips spread into a grin. “Asshole.”

He claps me on the back, and finally, the remaining tension in the room dissolves.

My knees get weak the more I replay what just happened in my head. I was not counting on it getting out that McKinsey and I have been … whatevering … so soon. I debate keeping this to myself to spare her the embarrassment, but I can’t run the risk of her hearing about it from someone else—like Royce—if they decide to be a dick about it.

I have my next appointment with her tomorrow. I’ll tell her what happened then and let her decide how she wants to move forward.

But if I’m being honest, I’m afraid she’s going to realize I’m more trouble than I’m worth.

CHAPTER TWENTY

MCKINSEY

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