“That’s just what Harry does. That’s my past and my issues.” I step forward, taking another look at his phone, now flat on the island between us. Just waiting for me to see the nasty truth.
God, it’s so tempting.
To take the information he’s unearthed and behold the nightmares Harry has been weaving all over this city.
But Brady did this behind my back.
He went and sunk his brave, stupid teeth into my mess when I told him point-blank not to.
Especially when he doesn’t understand what a loose cannon Harry Jay is, and his retribution won’t stop with me.
Last time, he broke my mother’s heart and shuttered Raven Swirl. He murdered her dream, and he used her own daughter like shrapnel to shred it to pieces.
Not even deliberately.
I’m not sure if he ever knew about the collateral damage he caused, but in the end, it doesn’t matter.
Not when the result was the same.
Not when I can’t stand to let him take another shot and hurt Brady in the process.
But I can’t tell him any of this, because he won’t understand.
Certainly not while he’s standing there, bowed up and manly and determined, a human grizzly bear who’s ready to charge through anything to protect me.
“I can’t stand by while he’s out there, ready to burn you down. You can’t ask me to do nothing.” His jaw tightens, making him look older.
More stubborn than ever.
I can relate.
“But I spelled it out for you,” I say sharply. “I thought you understood. I said this was my battle and not yours.”
“Why should it be? I have resources you don’t, Sass. Hell, if I hadn’t shown up that evening, if I hadn’t grabbed him when he was up in your face—” He stops, swiping a hand over his frustrated face.
Not cool at all where this is going.
I can read between the lines.
You’re helpless. I’m not.
Oh, that bites me, hard enough to draw blood.
The fact that he’sright.
He’s in a position to fight harder than I ever could and protect me in ways I can’t.
But it’s the principle.
It’s the way he rubs his money and power in my face along with my own disgusting weakness.
And it’s the mortal terror coursing through my veins that the past would love to rhyme again.
One bad scrap with Harry Jay, and he’ll never see the punch to the face that’s coming. And Brady has so much more to lose than a cherished summer ice cream stand.
“Whether it’s true or not, it’s my choice. I can deal with this myself, if I need to,” I whisper.
His brows pull down, making his eyes glint like cobalt steel. The barrel of a gun in evening, maybe. Just as dangerous, just as unforgiving.
