The past week has changed everything.
I don’t think I can let her go now.
Dad said Jessie adores you and we have to be careful when she grows up.
Doubt it, she’s a baby.
Yeah, but when we’re adults.You’re my friend. Okay?
Yep.
Those young boys we once were didn’t really know what we were talking about, but I knew I was making a vow to him as a friend.
And I’ve learned over the years that my word—a man’s word—holds value.That if you break it, there are consequences.
Jayden is the best friend a man could want.He was there for me when my father died, his family there for both me and Mom.
My attraction to Jessie always felt...selfish.
Frivolous.
Less important.
Now I know it was never just lust.I’ve been in love with her forever.
As she has been with me.
And in a way, I’ve already broken that vow to Jayden because he asked me not to hurt Jessie.Well, I have.
Over and fucking over.
But can I really break my vow to him?The guy I went through puberty with, awkwardly learning about girls and how to be the men we are today.Who I joined the Air Force with and now share a house with.
Sure, I have other guy friends, but it’s always been me and Jayden...with Jessie tagging along.
Seeing her at family events, pretending I haven’t slept with her in my arms, tasted her juices, seen her mouth wrapped around my cock, and imagined her wearing my ring.That’s just not fucking possible.
I am in love with her.
“How’s the brat?She behaving?”Jayden asks.
Irritation fills me before I can stop it, and the words pour out of me.
“She’s a fucking adult, man.”Silently cursing, I rub my hand over my face and force out a laugh to cover my response.
I haven’t touched her sexually for days, and it's making me lose my mind.I can’t.Not until I know who hurt her and have made them pay.
Until Jayden comes home, I can’t.
He needs to know how I feel about her and that she’s been raped.Then we will load up our weapons and head to Texas to kick some fucking asses.
Two of the assholes.
My jaw clenches knowing she was overpowered by two men.Except she won’t tell me who.
Knowing my angry, possessive behavior triggered her PTSD is the only thing keeping my cock in my pants and my mouth to myself.It hasn’t stopped me kissing Jessie and holding her in my arms, but everything else can wait.
Can wait until those two fucking dead men walking no longer are.
