Page 73 of Legacy

But I don’t admit any of that to Tempe and Luna. I swallow those fears and force a smile. “Maybe you’re right.”

“I am.” Tempe grins.

If only I believed it.

21

Legacy

I can barely keepmy hands off Reagan, much less let her out of my sight. Her hold on me is a physical need that gets stronger every passing day.

She giggles at something Luna says, and I swear I hear it through the crowded bar. It floats through all the other noise and rings in my ears. A melody I’ll never tire of.

I’ve been waiting for something to scare her away all night, but nothing does. Even when we were standing in the middle of Sapphire Rise, with strippers on every stage, her expression didn’t falter.

Every so often, she’d glance at me, and I got the sense she was waiting for me to release her hand or let her go. Maybe she thought that by being there, I’d act more like Chaos or Soul, who happily flirted with every girl who walked up to them the second we arrived. But standing in a room filled with beautiful women, there was only oneworth looking at, and I sure as hell wasn’t letting her leave my side.

Reagan laughs at something Tempe says, and I’m drawn to the curve of her ruby lips. They’re a beacon screaming out to me, while her black dress hugs her every curve. Still, I meant what I said when I told her that her physical beauty is only a fraction of what I find stunning about her. Because the shimmer in her eyes when she meets my gaze can’t be replicated.

She’s pure kindness. She’s genuine.

I’ve never met someone who wears their heart on their sleeve unapologetically, and the vulnerability is captivating. If I’m not careful, she’s quickly going to become an addiction I can’t break.

“Get a fucking room already.” Soul knocks me on the arm, following my gaze to the table where Reagan, Luna, and Tempe are standing around.

We’ve given them some space to talk, but they’re close enough that it’s clear they’re with us. No one dares approach them, even if a couple of assholes at the bar have already considered it, staring at her ass long enough that I want to break their faces.

A guy walks past Reagan, looking her over, and I turn away before I shove my beer bottle down his throat.

“I’ll back you up if you want to do something about it.” Chaos grins, likely seeing it himself.

“No fighting tonight.” Steel’s tone has edge, and I know he’s only saying it because he doesn’t want anyone to get locked up.

But when some guy at the bar stares too long at Tempe, and he pops his knuckles, I feel his resolve wavering.

“You sure about that no fighting rule, Prez?” Soul chuckles, noticing it as well.

Havoc lifts off his stool and slaps Steel on the shoulder. “I’ve got this.”

He ties his hair back and moves from our table to theirs, asking the girls if they need anything and effectively shutting down any rogue gazes from the men lingering nearby without needing to put a bullet between their eyes.

Havoc’s a big guy in every way—tall and wide. His presence quickly clears out the competition. And even if it didn’t, Ghost sitting beside me, watching the scene with daggers in his eyes, would do the trick.

Luna smiles when she catches Ghost watching her, and I wonder if she sees the dark side she draws out in him. If she realizes the lengths he’d go to for her.

Does it scare her?

Does it make her regret getting involved with the club?

Or does she accept him, sins and all?

In my mind, I still see Reagan standing at the opposite end of the hallway. Blood dried on my hands. My shirt. My pants. Splatter on my boots.

Tangible proof of what I’m capable of.

Could she accept it like Luna and Tempe have?

Should she have to?

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