Page 26 of Revolt

She doesn’t know the half of it because with just one taste, I’m already hers.

She doesn’t have a fucking clue how dangerous that is.

* * *

Once we reach the house, I rearrange her dress, and when we get out, I grip her tighter. “Astro, I can walk,” she grumbles, but when I tighten my hold, she shrugs and lays her head on my shoulder, clearly tired.

“Let’s get you to bed, Miss Harrow.” Raff holds out his arms to take her, but I pull her closer.

“I’ve got her,” I tell him, and his eyes narrow. No doubt he can see that I’m already attached. I don’t care. Fuck them all. This girl is mine. She just doesn’t know it. I’ll play this slow because she’s been hurt. She’s been in an industry where it’s celebrated to be stabbed in the back, but I will never let that happen again.

Ignoring them and happy there is no staff around, I follow them into the house and straight up the stairs to her room. We had to check out security while she was in the studio so I know the layout, but it never fails to surprise me how there are no pictures anywhere. There is nothing personal from someone as raw, emotional, and artistic as Reign, and that makes me sad.

It makes me angry that she feels so detached and alone that she doesn’t even have anything to celebrate within her personal space. I will change that.

When we reach her room, I slide her down my body and turn her, carefully stripping her from the dress and helping her remove her jewels and shoes, laying them out for her crew to pick up later. When I turn back, she’s on the bed and under the covers, and my heart pulses at the vulnerable look in her eyes as she glances at me.

“Thank you,” she murmurs.

“It’s my job.” I instantly regret saying it. I meant to say that it’s my pleasure to look after her every need as her man, but she winces.

“Of course.” She rolls over, and I feel like I’ve lost her. Needing to recover some of the ground I lost, I head over to her, brush back her hair, and kiss her forehead.

“Sleep well, Reign,” I whisper, “and know that there is nowhere else in this world I would want to be, job or no job.” Leaving her with that, I head out and shut the door. When I get downstairs, my brothers are waiting just like I knew they would be.

“We need to talk,” Raff snaps, glancing at the bedroom, and then he jerks his head. I follow him into the room he claimed and flop onto the bed, a goofy smile on my face at the memory of Reign tonight. Cillian sits near me, and Dal stands near the window.

“Do not get attached,” Raff orders. “I see you.”

“I wasn’t going to deny it,” I respond without even looking up.

“This is a job,” he growls.

I sit up and glare at him. “Keep telling yourself that. Keep lying to yourself and us if it makes you feel better, but we all know the truth. This became so much more the first fucking moment we laid eyes on her, then again when we found out just how fucking alienated that poor girl has been, and once again tonight when you made her ours. You can lie to us all you want, Raff, but I see it. Keep calling it a job, but it’s more, and you know it deep down.”

“We can’t cross the line—”

“It’s a bit late for that.” Dal is always the calm one between us. I’m the hothead, and it is usually Cillian whom I’m arguing with, but Raff is glaring at me. No doubt he’s pissed that I called him on his shit.

“Fuck, this is so bad. We should tell them we can’t protect her anymore.”

“No.” Cillian’s voice is sharp and angry.

“He’s right, she needs us. They hired us for a reason, remember? We need to protect her. The fact that we are getting attached only means we will do our job that much better.” He sighs. “Raff, being emotional in our old jobs was a weakness. I know that, and it made us second-guess everything, but here? It only makes us better and more determined to protect her. We aren’t at war anymore, man. It’s okay to enjoy life. Maybe you should take a lesson from Reign on that.”

I can’t help but laugh, and Dal does as well. “He’s right,” Dal says once more. “I suggest we let this play out. If she doesn’t look at us after tonight, then we can still do our job and not have to worry about the intimacy of our bond.”

My heart pulses in pain, and I stand and begin to pace. “And if she wants to explore this? Wants us?”

“Then I don’t see the harm.” It is my turn to stare at Dal in shock. “I don’t,” he murmurs. “Like you said, there is something here. This is more than just a job, but we’ve never backed off before, so I say we don’t start now.”

“Fuck, this is all fucked,” Raff snaps. “Fine, but you, get out of my sight. I’m annoyed at you,” he orders me.

That’s fine by me. I have something to do anyway.

SIXTEEN

Standing near the pool, I stare out at the city. It’s an incredible view, but I’ve seen many in my life. I’ve traveled nearly the entire world with my family, my brothers, who are spread out inside after our discussion, yet nothing compared to the first time I saw Reign Harrow. The great wonders of the world and true natural beauty most only dream of seeing has been all washed clean by the woman who has taken over my thoughts and life.

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