Page 95 of Possession

But we both freeze when her voice breaks through the tense room. “Your face.”

Landyn stands in the double doorway to the bedroom in the shirt I slipped over her battered body last night. It hangs on her small frame. I’m grateful she at least put on a pair of loose pants. It’s clear she didn’t take the time to put on a bra, because the shirt hangs on her nipples.

Before I have the chance to tell her to turn around to put some real clothes on, she’s across the room and wraps her arms around Rocco. “Thank you.”

He stands there, holding his arms out, not knowing what to do. His eyes widen, and he stares at me from over her head where she’s face planted into his chest.

The only reason I’m not completely overcome with jealousy is because she slept in my arms last night with my hand firmly planted on her ass.

Landyn keeps on, not knowing what she just interrupted or giving a shit that I’m standing right here. She looks up at Rocco. “Are you okay? I’ll never forgive myself for answering the door. You were hurt because of me.”

Rocco doesn’t know what to do with his hands and looks from me to her. “Umm … it’s no big deal.”

Landyn pushes back and waves to her face. “Are you serious? You saved me from him. It’s a huge deal, Rocco. I’ll never forget it.” She turns to me, and a pang hits my chest when her eyes well. “Tell him—tell him what a huge deal it is.”

I can’t take it another second. I round the desk and go to her. I stayed in bed with her as long as I could and haven’t showered yet. I threw on a pair of joggers and a tee, but I’m the only one in the room who isn’t sporting bruises and cuts.

I grab her hand and pull her into my arms, but I don’t take my eyes off Rocco. “Don’t worry, baby. He knows what a big deal it is.”

When she gives my shirt a yank, I look down at her as she begs, “Don’t let him go back. Make him an offer he can’t refuse so he can work for you and stay here with us.”

As long as I’ve been here, lying has been a life-saving skill and something I did gladly. But with her, it drives me mad. “It’s complicated, baby.”

Landyn presses her good cheek to my chest, and turns back to Rocco. “I’ll never forget what you did for me. You need to stick with Boz. Please, think about it.”

I put my fingers to her chin and tip her face to me. “Look at my wife, making business deals for me.”

She’s not at all apologetic. “He’s like you. I can tell. A younger you, but he’s good.”

“Ah, I’m gonna go,” Rocco mutters.

“We’re not done talking,” I say.

“We’re done,” Rocco amends and moves to the door that leads to the hall.

“Wait,” I call. He turns around and sighs. “The Deckers are not a powerful family, but we don’t know what Nic will do. Don’t leave the house. You have a meeting with Logan today—cancel it. Tell him I need you on a special project. But don’t say a word about what happened last night. The Jackals don’t need to know that you might have a target on your back.”

“Even more of a reason for you to work with Boz,” Landyn clips. “I doubt your club has your back like this.”

I keep talking. “Stay here today. You’ve got your test next week. Study, and we’ll have dinner together tonight. I owe my wife a day of shit TV.”

Landyn looks up at me. “Really? You’re not going to work all day?”

I pull in a big breath. “I can’t promise I won’t work, but I’ll do it in front of the TV with you.”

Her body melts into mine and makes me think of all the ways I cannot have her. Not when she thinks I’m someone I’m not.

Her smile is small and swollen and sweet and I can’t wait for her wounds to heal. Keeping myself from the things I want with her is going to be fucking torture.

“Thank you,” she says.

“I’m really out of here this time,” Rocco mutters.

“We’ll see you at dinner,” Landyn calls as he slams the door. She looks up at me. “A whole day together. Nothing could make me happier after last night.”

“Chica.” I pull her to me to take her mouth but keep it light and short so I don’t hurt her. “You need to up your expectations.”

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