“Mine,” Elias growled.

Yes, please.Oh God, it was what I wanted. What I’d dreamed of. I was his, and he sure as fuck was mine. Even if he didn’t know it yet.

But then Reid sighed, and I could see the game he wanted to play flash across his face before he even opened his mouth, dragging me out of the happy haze a single word from Elias had created. “You never were much of a sharer.”

CHAPTERSIX

elias

A red hazedescended over my eyes. Just the insinuation that I would share Samara made me want to see my brother’s blood on my hands. My fist slammed down on the tabletop so hard, I was going to get a bill from Aunt Quinn to replace it.

“Elias—”

“Shh,” I soothed without taking my gaze off my brother. “Everything is okay, baby girl. Reid just decided to take his food to go.”

“No,” she choked out. “I’m going to go. You two shouldn’t fight because of me. I…I’m sorry, Reid.”

“There is nothing for you to apologize for,” I bit out. “Not to this jackass or anyone else.”

Reid broke eye contact first, regret flickering across his face when he looked at her. “I’m the one who is sorry, Sammy. I was just trying to get a rise out of my brother. Which I did, but I’m not proud of myself for how I accomplished it. You stay.”

Standing, he adjusted his cut and shot me a glare. “Make sure she gets home safely.”

“Planned on it.”

Samara moved to get up, but I locked my arm around her, keeping her in the booth with me. “Reid.”

He gave her a sheepish grin. “Honestly, I’m surprised I’m still breathing, Sammy. I thought for sure you would put a bullet in me for what I said.”

Her lips twitched upward. “It crossed my mind, but there are way too many witnesses.”

Laughing, he ruffled her hair. “See you later, beautiful.”

She watched him walk to the counter and grab Stef’s attention, before elbowing me in the ribs. “What was that?” she hissed.

I smoothed her hair back into place. “What?” When she just cocked a brow, I shrugged. “I’m not going to let anyone talk to you like that, baby girl.”

“He was upset over the way you were acting on my date with him,” she defended.

I angled my body so I could face her a little easier, but the booths were tight and I wasn’t exactly small. “One, you weren’t on a date with him. Two, doesn’t matter if he was upset or not, he should never have said what he did. And three, don’t fucking make excuses for anyone’s shitty behavior. Ever.”

“Okay. I won’t excuse you for being an asshole, then,” she sassed.

“How was I an asshole?” I asked with a laugh.

“You crashed my date and then antagonized him.”

Clenching my jaw, I lowered my head until my nose skimmed hers. “You were not on a motherfucking date. Say it again, and I’m going to turn that ass red when we get home.”

Her excited little inhale made me hard enough to pound nails. “Elias…”

I touched my lips to the shell of her ear. Fuck, she smelled good. “That’s exactly how you are going to say my name when I’m inside you, Samara. Half sexy little vixen. Half whiny little brat.” I felt her shiver and had to restrain myself from pushing my hand under her skirt to feel how wet she was for me. “Now be a good girl for Daddy.”

“I… But…” I heard her swallow, felt the little puff of air from her pants on my neck. “O-okay.”

“Okay, what?” I coaxed.

Her fingers tangled in my shirt, twisting the fabric and tugging, but there was no need for her to pull me closer. I wasn’t going anywhere.