Page 73 of Say I Do

“Are you?” Enzo asked. “You still have that wall up with him. What happens when he decides to be married in name only and lets someone else—”

My hands grabbed Enzo’s shirt before he could even finish the sentence. I breathed heavily as my fists tightened. Heat swept up the length of my body.

“Finish that sentence,” I dared him. “I want you to.”

Enzo searched my face. “Don’t be naive. That’s all I ask,” he said evenly. “Don’t you remember when you were wary about me and Tex? Apply that same logic.” He brushed my hands off his shirt. “I don’t want you to get hurt, Benito. I can’t watch that again. I took care of the problem last time. I’ll do it once more if I have to.”

My heart sank into my stomach. Fuck. I hated when Enzo showed me his soft side. It was easier when he was all logic and common sense. When he sank into our past, it tore me apart. Somehow he had moved on while I was still stuck in the gravity that was Brycen.

“I want you to look into someone,” I said, distancing myself from ancient, horrible memories. “The head of the triad in New York. I want to know everything about him.”

“Why?” Enzo asked.

“I just do.”

“I don’t know much about them besides some basic dealings. Mostly, we keep to our own parts of town.”

“See what you can dig up.”

My brother searched my face. Whatever he saw there made him nod in agreement. Enzo pocketed his phone and headed toward the door. Once he was gone, I sank against my desk and buried my face in my hands.

“Fuck off,” I ordered.

Brycen’s ghost lingered even after all this time. I swore I felt his fingertips as they dug against my skin, gripping my shoulder and the warmth of his breath against my back. The memory dissipated as soon as it had come. Yet I was left with a sour taste in my mouth.

Why won’t you die?

“Boss?” Tony called. “You good?”

“Yeah.” I wiped my hand down my face. I hadn’t even heard him come in. “You work on this triad thing, too, okay?”

Tony looked me over. “Yeah, okay. I’ll get right on it.” He paused in the doorway. “I still don’t like Harlow, but I don’t get the same feeling I got from… him,” he said vaguely. “I warned you about that guy. If I really thought Harlow would harm you, I would say the same about him. We both know I speak my mind.”

I nodded at him. “You do. I appreciate that.” I sighed. “Thanks, Tony.”

He nodded before he slipped out the door. Finally, I was alone with my own thoughts and the weighted stone that sat in my belly. Old memories resurfaced, but I shoved them down to hell where they belonged.

My phone buzzed. I tugged it out and stared at the screen.

Psycho husband: That worked! Fuck, they won’t shut up now, but at least I’m good.

Psycho husband: When are you coming back?

I smiled. Harlow might not say it outright, but he missed me and wanted me home.

Me: Soon. That toy still up your ass?

Psycho husband: Yes, so hurry up!

I laughed as I pocketed my phone and gathered my things. Whatever shadows still clung to me from the past, I knew I could outrun them. I just had to keep going and never, ever look back.

“Stay your ass in the car.”I was nervous enough. With Benito standing behind me, I’d probably keel over.

“I don’t think you should go alone,” Benito said.

“It’s not enough that you’re here?”

Benito shrugged. “You don’t have the best track record.”

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