Page 107 of Breaking Rules

“I’m not going to dinner.” I throw open the door and climb out of Jake’s SUV.

“Hey.” I wave at my cousin, focusing solely on him.

Ben uncrosses his legs and straightens from where he’s been leaning against his car. As he heads my way, hands hidden in his pockets, his calm demeanor transfers to me, helping me gather the courage to stand up for myself.

When a car door slams shut behind my back, though, an intense shiver runs down my spine, making it hard to hold on to that resolve. I don’t need to look at Jake to know he’s pissed.

He stomps after me and grips the nape of my neck, making me stagger back.

“What’s gotten into you?” he hisses in my ear.

My back collides with his chest, and a gust of air escapes my lips.

Ben darts forward, his face murderous. “Miller, let her go.”

Jake only squeezes harder, his breathing going ragged. I wince, certain he’ll leave a bruise.

“You’re hurting her.”

Before Ben can physically intervene, Jake lets go of me and steps back.

I release a shaky breath as relief slowly swims through my veins, letting my body relax.Everything is fine.

I turn around and am immediately caught in his glare. Anger shimmers behind his irises, far too familiar to mean anything good.

“What’s going on?” He tightens his hands into fists at his sides.

I look at him, mustering the courage to say the things I need to say. With a deep breath, I take off the ring he gave me and hold it out to him. “This ring…isn’t for me.”

His eyes go wide, then narrow to slits. “What the fuck are you talking about?”

“We’re done. We aren’t right for each other, and we never were. Getting back together was a mistake?—”

“Since fucking when?” he barks. “You’re the only girl in the world who would dump someone like me. Twice!”

“You’ll find someone better than me, someone who shares your interests, who wants to go out at night, who will be happy with your expensive gifts. You don’t need me.”

“I don’t need you? What the fuck?” He lunges forward, but Ben steps in front of me.

I fist the ring, its diamond digging into my skin. It’s painful, but at least it helps me stay focused.

“Fuck off, Ben. Let me talk to her.”

“No.”

“Who do you think you are?” He puffs up and gets in Ben’s face, trying to intimidate him. Jake is undoubtedly bigger and taller, but Ben stands his ground, squaring his shoulders and lifting his chin. “Stepback.”

“Youstep back, and calm the fuck down.”

Jake snorts. “Are you for real?”

“She’s my family, Miller. I won’t let you hurt her.”

“I don’t want to hurt her!” Jake rakes his fingers through his hair, the vein in his neck pulsing. “I want to talk.”

“Then act like it,” Ben grinds out.

A heavy silence settles among us. Every muscle in my body is tense. His reaction is worse than I thought it would be. He’s barely controlling himself, his knuckles turning white as he pulls on his hair. If not for Ben…I don’t even want to think about it.

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