Alex looks exasperated. “She’s obviouslysomeone.”
“Everyone’s someone,” I say deliberately to irritate him.
“Don’t be obnoxious,” he snaps, when I stay silent. “You obviously like her.”
Did I like Sera? Somehow, it doesn’t feel like an adequate label for what’s happening inside me. But Idolike her. She’s fierce and funny and resilient and strong… But she’s also fragile. I saw it clearly in her eyes.
My chest tightens as I think about last night. From the moment when I first saw her bloody and injured… then with passion in her eyes before my common sense kicked in and forced me to slow it down. Her blood was up from adrenaline. I understood that.
I’d lost myself countless times between a woman’s legs after a fight. But it’s different with her.
Even if Sera thought a quick fuck was what she needed, my emotionally stunted self recognized she wasn’t in any sort of headspace to handle it. And hurting her… adding to whatever pain she’d been through… that felt wrong on a cellular level.
“It’s complicated,” I finally say.
“Why?”
“She’s too young for me.”
Alex’s face hardens. “How young?”
“Notyoung,young,” I snap. “Just younger. And too…” I shrug. “Too everything to get mixed up in a relationship with someone like me.”
“Relationship?” His tone is intentionally baiting.
“This is your fault, you know,” I growl. “Apparently, you and your freaky obsessive genes are in my DNA, too.”
“I don’t think you can blame me for your DNA. I’m impressive, but I was only two when your mother would have gotten pregnant.”
“Asshole.”
“Obsessive genes, huh?” He grins. “Interesting.”
“I misspoke. I’m not obsessed, and it’s not happening.”
“Really?” Alex draws the word out mockingly. “I don’t believe you. And I can’t let you in the club if you aren’t appropriately obsessed.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?”
Sometimes talking to Alex makes my head hurt with all of his riddles and hidden meanings.
“The ‘obsessed over our women club,’bratan.” His smile spreads further. “Declan’s in it, and I’m letting his brothers be honorary members, but they aren’t quite as…” He pauses. “Dedicated to showing their devotion as we are.”
“You’re unhinged. You know that, right?” I shake my head.
Alex waves a hand in the air clearly pleased with himself. “Says the man who willingly walked to his death last night as sacrifice for her.”
My back snaps straight.
“Don’t even bother to lie to me,” Alex says coolly. “Now, how are we going to get your girl?”
“We aren’t.”
Alex just stares at me, and I heave out a frustrated sigh. “It’s complicated. Likereallyfucking complicated.”
“Logistics.”
“I’m serious.”
