Page 85 of A Kiss at Midnight

“Sorry, Jewel. I know Tyler’s doing this to get a reaction from me, but when I think of another man touching you...” With a rueful smile, he brushes his lips lightly against mine.

“I’m going to tell you one ofmysecrets,” I quietly say, and he leans closer. “I love that you’re possessive. Just don’t be ridiculously so,” I add, and give him a kiss. There’s protective, and then there’s psycho. I don’t want Blake to cross over the line into boiling bunnies on my kitchen stove.

“I knew this was going to happen pretty much from the beginning. Blake’s been a mess ever since meeting you,” Tyler says.

Blake stiffens. “I’m not a mess, Tyler, and never have been,” he indignantly says.

“Sure, brother,” Tyler tells him. “It’s okay; really it is. Even the biggest asses hit the ground eventually. The harder they come...”

“I don’t see that it’s funny to mock a man who’s under the thumb of a woman,” Byron says. Then he turns his eyes on me, and I certainly feel singed.

“Back off, Byron,” Blake warns his brother. “This isn’t about you.”

“It sure as hell is about me. Anything to do with our family is aboutallof us,” Byron says. I watch as both brothers’ shoulders stiffen, knowing this could turn ugly fast.

“Oh, come on, guys. This is a special occasion,” Tyler says, and I notice how he moves just the slightest bit, to put himself between his two brothers.

Is fighting such a normal thing in this family? Does Tyler often break it up? I’m too horrified to say a word as the tension continues to mount despite the youngest brother’s attempt at intervention.

“And when is the happy day?” Byron’s practically sneering when he throws out this question.

I really wish I wasn’t standing here right now — it seems the fireworks are about to explode. But Blake’s arm is wrapped around me, and I have no choice but to witness the explosion when Blake answers Byron’s question.

“Tomorrow,” Blake says.

“Tomorrow?” Byron practically thunders.

“Do you have a problem with my wedding date?” Blake curtly asks.

“Why in the hell are you rushing this?”

“I don’t see why that’s any of your business.”

“It’s my business,” Byron tells him, “because I don’t understand why you’re allowing yourself to be snatched up by some woman who’s obviously out to get whatever she can from you.”

My mouth drops when Blake releases me so fast I nearly trip, then I’m watching his fist come up and knock Byron in the side of his jaw. I have no idea what to do. I’m sure Byron will retaliate.

Instead, after turning his head and spitting out a bit of blood, Byron looks straight at his brother, who’s staring daggers at him. “I’ll let that one pass, Blake, since you’re obviously screwed in the head right now.”

“Who in the hell do you think you are?” Blake shouts.

“I’m your freaking brother, and I’ve been with you through thick and thin. I’m also the one you’d normally listen to. Don’t you realize that this woman has you so messed up that you’re choosing to please her even if it upsets the balance of our family?”

“Look, guys, emotions are running high right now,” Tyler interjects, “but we really don’t want to say something that can’t be taken back.”

“I don’t regret anything I’m saying,” Byron shouts.

“No, because you’re a complete asshole, Byron,” Blake tells him. “Jewelwillbecome my wife tomorrow, and I’d like to have you there, but if you can’t come, I understand.” And he finally takes a step back. This allows me to gulp in a breath of air. It looks like the fight might be over.

“I’ll be there, Blake, not because I support this marriage, but because you’re going to need me when you realize what a monumental mistake you’ve made,” Byron says as he looks at me and pierces me with his brutal gaze.

“I’m sorry you’re so bitter,” I tell him before he can speak. “But you’re wrong, Byron. I don’t want to take anything from your brother.”

“Ha. A woman always has a plan,” Byron replies, dismissing my words as easily as he’s dismissing me.

“I won’t have you here if you can’t treat Jewel with respect,” Blake warns.

“I won’t say another word to her,” Byron says. “No problem.”

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