Page 76 of Legacy

“Prospects said there’s no sign of Lincoln outside,” Havoc says under his breath so Reagan can’t hear us.

“Which means he’s just fucking with us.” And I don’t like it.

“I’ll touch base with Steel.” Havoc leaves me standing in the middle of the bar with Reagan, and without him standing between us, she comes into view.

Her eyes are wide with shock, and the beautiful pink blush that stained her cheeks has vanished. Her stare meets mine; I’m once more dragged to that hallway.

Her on one end, looking perfect.

Me on the other, covered in blood.

I wait for her to recoil when I reach out for her. I wait for her to tell me I’m not worth it after what she just saw.

But when I nudge her chin up, and her eyes blink up at me, all I find is the peace I’m too selfish to let go of.

“Are you okay?” I trace her features like it can put back together whatever that asshole tried to take.

“I—” She cuts herself off, wetting her lips. “Lincoln?”

“You heard that?”

She nods. “He came to Vegas for me?”

“You don’t need to worry about it,” I promise her with every fiber of my being. “I’m sorry you had to see that.”

“You’re sorry?” She huffs out a laugh, and I think it’s fear until her shoulders relax and she steps closer. “I’m the reason Lincoln is here.”

“It’s not your fault.” I cup her cheek. “His actions arenot your fault.”

Her eyes gloss, and I wish my words were enough for her to believe me. “That guy grabbed me, and I just froze. I… if you hadn’t been here.”

“But I was.”

She swallows. “Thank you.”

“Anything for you, sweetheart.” I brush my thumb over her lower lip, and she shivers.

She stares at me for so long that I swear she sees straight through me. But as the song changes, she finally breaks my gaze, glancing around, like she’s remembering it’s not just us and we’re in a room full of people.

Her lips press together, drawing color into them. “Dance with me?”

She sounds uncertain.

Like she thinks I’ll turn her down. Like she doesn’t get that she’s impossible to resist. The only person in this room worth being around.

Like she isn’t making me consider things I swore I never would.

I take her hand and kiss the back of it like I’m some kind of gentleman. “Of course.”

How could I resist?

22

Reagan

Anger ripples off Jesse,even if he’s trying to keep it together for my sake. This shouldn’t be his weight to carry around.

I came to Vegas. I forced myself into Jesse’s life. And now, Lincoln has followed me here. I’m making my problems his.

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