“That’s generous,” I say evenly, keeping my tone composed.
Nash’s dark blue eyes narrow as he moves around to stand in front of me. He’s trying his best to look intimidating, and with the tattoos and leather jacket he wears, he is the most intimidating of the bunch, but I know he couldn't cross that line. Not here and now, when his girlfriend has worked so hard and carefully planned every detail of this special day.
“It’s not a joke. She’s been through enough. You know that.”
“I do.” I give him a knowing look that says a lot of that is because of you, but I decide not to go there again. Nash and I haven't spoken much since the night all hell broke loose, but I know he’s trying to move past all this as much as I am. Things were getting better between us, and I know this is just a setback, but pushing him on this won’t make it any easier for either of us to move past.
Monty folds his arms across his chest, and I almost want to laugh at the bit they’re playing. “Then you also know if you hurt her, there’s not a place in this town you can hide from us.”
I hold his stare. The oldest Bishop is usually the one who’s more in control of his emotions. He’s poised and composed. Not at all temperamental, unlike Nash. Beau and Theo, who’s preoccupied somewhere else, well, I know little about them to make any assumptions.
“I’m not looking to hurt her.” I turn to Nash. “And you better than anyone know threats won’t work. Not this time.”
Nash glances at Monty, then back at me, an unspoken promise in their stares. “Good. Right now, she may be pretending she trusts you, but we’re not there yet.”
I nod in understanding, giving them what they need. They want to intimidate me. I’ll play along, but I won't be rolling over like some scared little puppy at the three alphas who are cornering me.
“Fair enough, I guess I deserve that after what happened. But you of all people know, Nash, that you don’t have a say in what we do. Just like I’ve resigned to the idea of talking some sense into Bailey.”
The door opens suddenly, and Monroe steps out with the girls laughing at something they said, before her eyes go wide in surprise and slight horror as she sees me standing with her brothers. Her hand moves to rest over her belly as she says her goodbyes, and they might not notice the subtle movement, but that image sticks with me all the way out to my truck.
Chapter Twenty-One
Monroe
When I was a little girl, the nights I spent dreaming about my life being different were many. Though as the years went by, I resigned to the idea that those dreams would never manifest into anything more than the longings of a hopeless little girl.
I longed for loving parents who treated me with the kindness I wished I deserved. I dreamt of a love that would erase all the pain I endured from the abandonment and rejection from everyone in my life. Yet those were just that—dreams that would never be my reality.
Which is why now, as I sit in the passenger side of Jase's truck, I find it so hard to accept that this lie we’ve told everyone can ever be real.
The cloudless sky is pale blue as the sun lowers beneath the hillside in the distance. I lean back in my seat, my fingers toying with the locket hung around my neck. The gift I wasn't expecting but can’t stop thinking of. The silver chain hangs delicately on my neck, but the locket feels heavy against my skin, almost searing the engraving against my chest.
Why did Jase get me something so meaningful? Is this truly something he purchased for me, or another part of his plan to make this thing between us seem real?
The thoughtful gift surprised all of us. From the corner of my eye, I’d seen the look on my brother’s faces, an expression that gave nothing away, but I knew for the first time today, they believed this was more than just a game.
Especially when I walked out onto the porch and found three of my brothers cornering Jase. It was a sight to see, three giant, broad-shouldered and brooding men circled around him, but the smug look on Jase’s face told me he wasn’t at all threatened by the three teddy bears at heart.
I can sense Jase is tense, unsure of what to say, but the silence between us is telling. I break the tension first. “They gave you the talk, didn’t they?” I ask, twiddling with the stress ring Bailey gave me as a gift.
Jase keeps his eyes on the road as he answers, but I notice the subtle way his fingers grip the steering wheel tighter. “Something like that.”
My lips curve into a smile at the memory and how nice it felt that they cared enough to try to intimidate him even if they’d practically known the guy his whole life. It was a sight to see. How my brothers stood around him with their backs straight and chests puffed out. Jase didn’t look at all threatened. It was oddly satisfying to know he wouldn’t change his mind about us simply because my brothers weren’t on board. Not that they have a say at all, really.
“You’re still here, so it must have gone okay,” I joke, and he lets out a low chuckle I feel between my legs. He’s taken off his jacket, and my eyes fixate on the veins in his arms that flex as his hands tighten around the wheel. His long and soft fingers, and the way they felt on my naked skin.
“They care about you,” he says. “Can’t fault them for that.”
My eyes find him, searching for a sign that this thing between us is more. “And you?”
He licks his lips as a smile creeps onto his face. All that does is make me think of our kiss. How I foolishly kissed him in front of everyone. Heat races up my neck, and my cheeks burn with embarrassment. I turn to look out the window, hoping he doesn’t catch the flush of my skin, but when I feel his eyes on me, I can’t help looking back at him.
He straightens his back as he watches me with a burning heat in his gaze. It’s magnetic and electric, and I can’t break the spell he’s pulled me under.
“Keep looking at me like that, Moonshine, and I'll show you exactly how I feel.”
My eyes widen at his bluntness, but instead of shaking him off and telling him to quit messing around, I smile and play along. “And how do you feel, Jase?” This is dangerous, and I know I’m playing with fire, but something about our exchange is tempting me to play along.
