Page 26 of Winning Brynn

So sweet, so innocent, so infectious.

Even the grumpy asshole holding her isn't immune to it. With every one of her giggles, his lips tip farther upward at the corners until he finally blesses me with a smile just as beautiful as his daughter's. His dark eyes sparkle golden with affection, his usually stern face consumed completely with love.

He goes to so much effort to act cold and detached. It's like he has a thundercloud following him wherever he goes, making sure he never shows too much of himself or, God forbid, allows himself to feel happiness.

But Salem is able to cut through all that bullshit.

She forces him to love with an intensity that he is clearly not used to.

And it's beautiful.

The way he looks at her, like there is nothing in this world more precious to him. The softness in his touch when he has her in his arms. The gentleness of his voice when he speaks to her.

It's through his interactions with her that I'm able to seehim.The real man, not the asshole.

The Leo I see in these moments is a good man. One who cares deeply, who feels more emotion than he would ever admit to, and who is so clearly capable of an epic romantic love—if only he opened up his heart to it.

It's infuriating.

Yet, I understand it perfectly.

Because as hard as it is to admit to myself, I do the very same thing.

Sometimes, life is just easier when you're wearing a mask.

And maybe, just maybe, the only reason I hate him so much is because looking at him is like looking in a mirror. No one likes to see their flaws, yet I see all of mine in him.

"Daddy Sully and the bros" group chat

Leo:Alex, come and get your sister. She's pissing me off.

Alex:No can do, buddy. She's your problem now.

Leo:Where's your annoying overprotectiveness when I need it?

Alex:Unless you're hurting her or fucking her, you're on your own with this.

Leo:I want to fuck your sister about as much as I want to fuck Roman.

Roman:Ouch.

Roman:That was unnecessary.

Alex:To be fair, man. I've seen your dick, and that monster has no business going near any of our holes.

Chapter Nine

Leo

A shrill scream wakesme up.

Whipping my head around to check the baby monitor on the bedside table, I breathe a sigh of relief when the live footage of Salem shows her sleeping soundly in her crib.

The scream sounds again—longer this time and laced with panic.

Brynn.

Her fear is unmistakable, and it fills me with a bolt of urgency that drives me through to her bedroom before the fog of sleep has even cleared from my eyes.

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