Page 67 of On The Edge
“I mean, sure. But you called a family meeting and requested I join. Surely whatever you want to say to me, you can tell the guys, no?” She questions, crossing her arms, and sitting back firm, unshaken. There’s no anger in her expression, nodesperation—just confidence, cool and effortless. Ready to take on whatever bullshit Reis is going to start.
Fuck, I love her.
I start to grin, Markus barks out a laugh but attempts to cover it with a cough, and Kai just reclines against the back of the couch with his arm outstretched behind Mel.
Reis looks terrified for a split second before he slides his cocky, leader expression on his face. The one that he puts on in meetings and when he wants to seem like he’s untouchable. But I saw it.
He knows none of us are going to help him, and we are all going to get to watch him stumble, stutter, and beg for her forgiveness.
If that is in fact, what he’s doing.
Mel purses her lips and looks from side to side. “I’m listening.”
SEVENTEEN
This should be fucking good.
I can see that something’s changed.
The look of undiluted hate and anger is gone, so he’s left with what only looks like agony. I wonder what caused the switch, but until I see how he’s going to treat me, I’m proceeding with caution.
And there’s no way that I’m going to lower my defenses with Reis until he shows me he’s not going to be a total ass.
Having the other guys here gives me strength. Markus watches me from the armchair next to where Reis' sitting; his leg crossed at the knee and his eyes locked on me. He winks at me with his hair free-flowing, and a rush of attraction flows through me.
Kai scoots closer to me, not necessarily touching me yet, but just the presence and warmth radiating from him makes me feel safe and secure.
And Adam, my tattooed angel, stands with his arms crossed against the glass with the whole of New York at his back like he’d personally fight gravity if it so much as made me fall.
My protectors.
“Well?” I ask, focusing on Reis and whatever he has to say.
“Well, I have two things I want to talk to you about,” he starts, pushing up off the chair like he can’t control himself andhasto move his body. “First, I want to say that we would really like you to stay with us. I know I’ve been awful, but Melody, we’ve talked and we… weallwant you here.”
Without consciously meaning to, I gasp as my breath catches in my throat.What did he just say?
“That might be the kindest thing you’ve said to me in the last seven years,” I smirk, trying to play it off like a joke, but it falls awkwardly flat because everyone knows exactly how true it is.
Reis' eyes fill with anguish as he fidgets with the rings on his fingers.
“I-I know, but it’s true,” he says, swallowing audibly. Damn, that feels like it physically hurt him to say. “The guys and I talked earlier about, uh, that moment before we left. You know exactly what I’m talking about, right? It’s not like there were many other issues we had.”
“I do happen to know what you’re talking about.” If he wants to talk about this, I get it, but I’m not going to roll over and let him try to make thismyfault.
Reis runs his hand through his shaggy hair. His dark hair is natural today, not heavily encased in gel to control his beautiful waves like he had it on stage. The dark locks are free and falling all over, just like I like them.
“Look, Melody, I’m not trying to be a dick,” he says, but Adam steps in.
“You have a funny way of showing it.”
“Shut up, Adam. I’m trying to talk to her.” And before I know it they’re locked in a male-bravado showdown. Adam kicks off the window and comes to stand in front of me.
“Guys,” I say quietly as I stand up, getting between them to calm the situation down. “Adam,” I start, putting my back toReis so I can focus on the mammoth of a man in front of me. “It’s okay, I promise.” He’s not staring at me, but over my head at Reis with a threatening look.
I smirk, knowing that if Reis makes one wrong move, Adam’s going to deck him.Again. I don’t think Reis' pretty face can take many more hits.
They’re best friends–brothers–but they’re definitely fighting right now. I don’t like that they’re fighting because of me, it’s the one thing I was trying to protect them from. But here we are.
