Page 146 of Intense
Conan barks a laugh. “Why’d you say that like it’s a bad thing? Fuck, I get on my knees for Hallie most nights if she calls me a good boy.”
I nearly choke on my drink. “Good boy? Like a dog?”
Conan glares. “Don’t knock it ‘til you try it. Letting her take control is hot as fuck.”
I hold up a hand. “Don’t. I don’t want that mental image burned into my brain.”
He rolls his eyes.
“Everyone’s got their own kink,” I mutter.
I’m not sure my brother needs to know I have to bleed just to feel anything.
Conan narrows his eyes. “What’s yours then? Something to do with the medical shit you’ve got at home? Or nurse role play? Fuck, it’s so hot when?—”
I chuckle and tap his cheek to stop him from finishing his sentence. Hallie is my friend, I don’t need to know.
“Be a good boy and shut the fuck up.”
His jaw tenses. I grin wider. “And I’m not sure a brotherly fistfight’s the right move at a baby shower.”
Declan steps between us. “You didn’t answer me. Is this serious? Is she part of our family now?”
“Yes. And yes.”
“Do you trust her to know the truth? About the Decadence Trials?”
I scratch my stubble. “Eventually. Trust takes time. As you well know.”
My gaze pins his. His wife once tried to kill him, betrayed him, and lied to him. He forgave her. Trusted her again.
“Are you happy?” he asks.
I chew the inside of my cheek. Happiness isn’t something I’ve ever truly claimed. Any time I thought I had it, the memories came back and poisoned it.
But since marrying Stephanie? I’ve been so distracted, the darkness hasn’t found a way in.
“Yeah. As happy as I can be.”
Declan relaxes. “Then congratulations. She seems good for you.”
I tilt my head. My brothers believe in this fairytale love shit. And maybe they have it.
But my life isn’t built for that. I know, deep down, Stephanie won’t accept all of me, not the truth. Not the part I don’t speak aloud.
I haven’t even told my brothers. The only people who know are all dead, including my own parents.
The mafia? The killing? She could handle that. I see the dark in her too.
But what happened to me as a kid? The hatred it left me with? The way I can turn off my emotions like a switch? That’s different.
She deserves better.
“We should have confirmation from Theo in a few days to head to London,” I tell my brothers.
Conan grins, but he’s looking at Hallie.
“You don’t have to leave them. I can do it for you,” I tell him.
