Page 113 of Say I Do

My fists tightened as I waited for my opening. It happened in a split second, and I took full advantage. One. Two. The first jab went to his throat. He gasped as he fought to suck in a breath. Quincy’s eyes widened as he wheeled back. Was that fear? I ate it up as I took the second hit and delivered a hard right hook. The man’s eyes rolled into the back of his head as he crumbled to the ground.

Panting, I shook out my fist. The world still felt a mile away. Part of me wanted to get on top of Quincy and punch until his head was broken, his brain was pulp, and he could never fucking touch Harlow again. A hand touched my bruised stomach. I hissed, ready to keep going, when my eyes landed on Harlow. There was a hard edge in his eyes as he examined my face.

My stomach tightened as I expected him to chastise me. Or for him to defend Quincy. He obviously gave a damn about the man, or he wouldn’t have called him when he needed help. My breath caught in my throat as he crouched down and checked Quincy’s breathing. Sighing, he stood as he shook his head.

“Idiot. What the hell is his deal?” he muttered to himself.

“Are you blind?” I asked. “He’s in love with you!”

Harlow blinked. “Me? Quincy? In love with me?” He laughed. The sound fizzled out as he realized I was telling the truth. “No, no way! We’re like brothers.”

“I don’t think he sees it that way.”

“Shit," he swore. "How did you know?”

“It was pretty fucking obvious.” I shook out my fist. “Let’s go.”

“What about him?” Harlow asked. “He might be a dumbass, but he’s my best friend. I can’t just leave him here.”

“Do you want me to touch you ever again?” I asked.

Harlow blinked. “Yeah.”

“Then get in the fucking car,” I said as I wrenched the backdoor open. “You two drop that moron off wherever he lives. Harlow will text you the address.”

Enzo and Gin both nodded.

“Finally, you’re relaxed,” Enzo said calmly before he looked Harlow over. “Take care of my brother. And call Melony. He’s going to need stitches.”

“Hell yeah, he will,” Gin whistled. “Harlow, we’ll text you later to check on him. Don’t let him do anything else stupid.”

I watched as Harlow stared between my brothers. Finally, he nodded, but his expression was hard to read. Relief? Contentment? Was he happy? My brothers had been so standoffish that I was surprised by the way they talked to him now. Maybe it would all come together, and we could pull this married thing off in peace.

Harlow climbed into the backseat. I joined him. As Tony pulled away, Harlow picked up my hand and stared at it. He leaned forward, stuck out his tongue, and lapped up the blood. I hissed, but I wanted him to do it again.

“At least there’s no debris,” he said, every word measured. “Do you know how trained Quincy is?”

“And I still kicked his ass,” I said.

Harlow shook his head. "I’ve never seen you that pissed off.” He frowned, and I wanted to erase that line on his forehead. Harlow looked the best when he smiled. “I’m sorry.”

I froze. “What?”

He groaned. “Don’t make me say it again,” he pleaded.

I wiped blood from the cut above my eye. “No way. Say it again. I have to make sure it’s you saying it and not some clone that’s taken your place.”

Harlow rolled his eyes. “Asshole. I’m sorry, okay! I should have called you, but—”

“But what?” I pushed.

“I guess I wanted to save you the stress.”

I turned to face him fully. “I thought we weren’t gonna try to save each other.”

Harlow shrugged. “I told you. We’re in this together.”

I grabbed his chin and tilted his head up sharply, refusing to allow him to turn away from my gaze. “Then I don’t want to hear another fucking word when I do something for you.”

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