Page 51 of Fearless

Without thinking, I slam my coffee mug on the counter and march from the room.

“Bro, where are you going? We need to head out in a…” JD’s words trail off as I run up the stairs, the old staircase creaking loudly as I take three steps at a time.

My heart is racing and my muscles are pulled tight by the time I get to the safety of my room.

I hate running. I hate this feeling of vulnerability, of not feeling good enough that my feelings for Alana have left me with.

Dad always told us that love made you weak—not that he really had any experience to go on. He never loved our mother, and he sure as shit doesn’t love Hannah. It’s why he always told us that women were only good for a handful of things. Pussy, kids, and playing house.

Chauvinistic fucking cunt.

Even before this thing with Alana, I knew his words were bullshit.

Women are so much more than he ever gave them credit for. Capable of so much more than popping out children, cleaning, and looking pretty.

With my fingers threaded into my hair, I pace back and forth across my room, trying to get my head on straight.

But every time I think about where this night could lead, my thoughts drift back to her.

“ARGH,” I roar out in frustration.

I need to fucking focus. I need my head fully in the game if we’re imminently about to go up against Victor and his two goons.

If they show…

There is every chance that Kai is going to double-cross us.

And if he does…

Well, we all die tonight, that’s what.

Squeezing my eyes closed, I refuse to believe that it could all end here.

Even if this goes wrong, there’s nothing to say we still won’t win.

We’re better than they are. We have to believe that.

The worthy will win.

They just fucking have to.

A click on the other side of the room forces me to look up.

My breath catches in my throat as I stare at the vision before me.

I try to swallow, but my mouth has run dry.

“You’re freaking out,” Alana helpfully points out, standing there bold as brass. Her hair is pulled back from her face and she’s wearing a black hoodie and leggings.

She looks fierce. The fear and anticipation on her face downstairs seem to have been washed away, her concern for me taking over.

I shouldn’t love it as much as I do.

She looks sexy as hell and it hits me right in the dick.

Use your head, Harris.

“I’m not. I’m trying to get focused. Tonight could be it.”

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