Page 64 of Beautiful Scars: Unshakeable

"What the hell?" Chase murmurs under his breath. "How does Colt handle you?"

"Bold of you to assume he’s the one who does the handling." Jade's smirk is wicked.

The guys shift uncomfortably while I dissolve into another fit of giggles. This is a side of me I don’t think I’ve ever let out like this before. It has to be the alcohol.

"Angel, baby," Zane's deep voice cuts through my laughter. "Come here."

I crawl over to his chair, settling between his legs with my back against the seat. His fingers immediately thread through my hair, and I lean into his touch like a cat.

"Having fun?" he murmurs, low enough for just me to hear.

"Mmhmm. I don’t think Levi is though."

"He’ll be fine. He'll get over it.”

Jade doesn’t miss a beat. She turns her focus completely over to Chase. "Those dimples are lethal weapons, you know that right? If you weren't such a baby..."

"I am not a baby!" Chase protests.

"Prove it then." Jade raises an eyebrow. "Take your shirt off."

"What? No!"

"See? Baby."

I snort into my drink while Chase sputters indignantly. Ty and Jayce aren't even trying to hide their amusement anymore.

"You're terrible," I tell Jade with a giggle.

She throws me her widest smile before announcing that it’s time we all get serious. She pulls out the deck of cards Colt had handed her earlier and starts shuffling. "Now, who's ready to give it all up to me? Cash or clothes boys, cash or clothes? How lucky you feelin'?"

The night continues in a blur of cards, shots, and laughter. Every time I glance at Z, his eyes are on me, drinking in every smile and giggle like he never wants to forget them. Even Levi's stern expression softens eventually, especially when I crawl into his lap to show him my cards and ask for advice.

"You're going to regret this in the morning," he warns as his arms wrap around me.

"Then I better make it worth it," I declare, pressing a kiss to his jaw before returning to the game.

This is what freedom feels like, I realize. Not just from Garrett, but from fear itself. Surrounded by people I trust, letting myself be silly and light, knowing I'm protected but not controlled. I catch Jade's eye and see my own joy reflected there. She gets it. She's always gotten it.

The game dissolves into storytelling, with Jade holding court like the queen she is. Even the guys lean in, captivated by her stories from the club and customer fails. She has this way of commanding attention while making everyone feel included.

"And that's why I never trust a man in salmon-colored shorts," she concludes one particularly wild story, making everyone howl with laughter.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Zane

Ileanagainstthedoorframe of the basement gym watching Sunny work through her ground defense drills with Chase. Her hair's pulled back tight and her face is set in concentration as she practices escaping from underneath him. The tension in her shoulders speaks volumes.

"Remember to breathe, Angel," Chase instructs, his voice steady and patient. "Use your hips to create space."

Sunny tries to hide it but I catch the slight tremor in her hands. The position's too familiar, too close to memories she's still fighting. Before I can intervene, Jade pipes up from where she's practicing with Ty.

"Take a break, girl. Come spot me while I try to kick Ty's ass instead."

The relief on Sunny's face is immediate. She rolls away from Chase who gives her space without comment. This is why we agreed to let them be the instructors—they understand without needing explanations.

"You're getting better," I tell her as she passes me. Her fingers brush against mine, and she mouths a silent thank you.

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