Page 133 of Ignite

I frown. “Tamed me? How?”

He rolls his eyes and throws back the rest of his whiskey.

“Fuck me, do I really have to spell this out for you? Last night. In the cage. You lost it. Mentally tapped out. You were about to kill that guy. Am I right?”

The knot in my chest tightens. My throat closes.

“Yeah. But I didn’t kill him.”

Declan taps the side of his head.

“Because…”

I close my eyes and drag myself back to the fight. It’s a blur, just like every other time rage hijacks my brain. But then…

That flash.

Locking eyes with Hallie.

I didn’t want her to look at me like I was a monster. I wanted her to be proud of me. Not terrified. Not running.

“Fuck,” I whisper.

“Fuck indeed, little bro. She’s the one.”

I slide my glass away and pour more whiskey. Let the burn anchor me.

“What do I do, Declan? I’ve never?—”

“Had a relationship longer than one night?” he finishes for me.

I nod. Not quite how I would’ve phrased it, but he’s not wrong.

Until Hallie, I never let anyone get close enough to matter. I’ve always been better alone.

But now?

Picturing a future without her in it?

Unthinkable.

“You do the Decadence Chase. One last time,” he says. “And then you follow your heart. You don’t let her get away. The games start Monday. It’ll be a few days, max. Then you’re done. We’ll find replacements. No issue. Rowan and Reggie have been frothing at the mouth for a chance to host. They’ll make good Masters of Inferno.”

My stomach turns. It’s real now.

And she’s the only thing I’ve ever wanted to fight for.

“I can’t let her go,” I say, my voice hoarse. “She’s mine.”

She’s not just a woman.

She’s an obsession.

A fire under my skin I’ll never be free of.

One last Chase.

That’s all that stands in my way.

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