Page 53 of Resist

That makes me smile as I rub his back. “That’s true,” I muse. “How happy I would have been—” I laugh when he hits me. “And lonely,” I finish with a wink.

“Better,” he grumbles, and we lapse into silence for a bit, both lost in our own thoughts, but what Ryker said is true. I can’t give Theo control over me again. I wasted enough of my time on him in the past. He doesn’t get my future, nor will I ever hurt Ry by making him think Theo has any say in my life now.

That fear remains, though, one that has never gone away.

“Please don’t break my heart,” I croak.

He leans in and kisses me softly, tasting my pain. “Never. It’s mine to keep, and I plan on doing just that. Sleep now, okay? I won’t ever let him hurt you again.”

Nodding, I slide down and rest my head on his chest, listening to the steady thump of his heart as his arms wrap around me.

“I’ve got you. I won’t ever let anyone hurt you. Sleep now, baby.”

I do, thanks to him.

“Holy fuck, did you see?” Dash slides into the room, hitting the table in his haste. I blink at him as I sip my coffee, perched on the counter. Ryker is cooking at my side.

“Did you accidently put Strike’s face on porn again and post it?” I ask.

“No!”

“Did you post your junk again?” Ryker asks, grinning at me.

“No, listen?—”

“Did you message another F1 driver and call him Daddy?”

“Yes, but that’s not the point!” He thrusts his phone at me, his eyes wide. Sighing, I take it then stiffen when I see what he’s showing me. It’s a post tagging me on Instagram. I never really check it, but Dash must have seen it from the likes and comments because it’s blowing up.

It’s of Theo and me. There are four photos gridded together—one of me kissing his cheek, the second of us smiling with our arms wrapped around each other, the third of us kissing, and the fourth, we are pressed together. It’s from years ago, on my birthday if I remember correctly, but it’s definitely me, and his caption . . .

My forever.

I hide the screen against my chest, swinging my gaze to Ryker as he bites some bacon. “What is it?” he asks, and when I don’t speak, he swallows, looking between us. “Fox, what is it?”

“Listen, I need you to remain calm?—”

“Show me,” he orders, holding out his hand. Wincing, I give it over. He’s silent for a moment before he turns and throws the phone into the sink.

“Hey, that was mine,” Dash grumbles.

Without looking, Ryker pulls his wallet out and throws a wad of bills at Dash. “Buy a new one.” As we watch, he grabs the meat tenderizer and very calmly smashes the phone to bits. When he’s done, he’s panting as he looks at us. “Does anyone have a problem with that?”

“Nope, not even a little,” Dash squeaks, throwing me a look as if to sayit’s all you, then he runs away as fast as he can.

“Baby,” I coo.

“Don’t baby me right now,” he snaps, leaning into the sink.

Sighing, I slide down and wrap my arms around him, resting my chin on his shoulder. “You know that was from years ago.”

“I know,” he grumbles. “But why is he posting it? What is his problem? What did you talk about yesterday?” he demands, turning in my arms, his eyes narrowed.

“He wanted to be part of my life again, and I told him no,” I answer truthfully. “I shouldn’t have taken him outside to talk, but I didn’t want him to upset you. Next time?—”

“There will be no next time,” Ryker snaps as he points in my face. “Or I will cut off your penis and feed it to you.”

“Baby,” I whine, trying to bite back my smile. “You like what it does too much,” I murmur as I back him up.

---