Page 171 of Arrow

“I didn’t do it to hurt him,” I lied, then corrected myself. “Okay, maybe I did. But it wasn’t just that.”

Luna leaned against the counter beside me, her pregnant belly curving gracefully. “You know what’s strange about men like Arrow and Atlas? They think they own the world because they’re dangerous. But we terrify them because we’re unpredictable.”

I laughed, the sound sharp against the bathroom’s marble surfaces. “Arrow isn’t afraid of anything.”

“He’s afraid of losing you.” Her words were simple but hit like a punch to the gut. “That’s why he’s so possessive. Why he can’t stand the thought of someone else touching you.”

“That’s not love,” I argued, though something twisted in my chest. “That’s control.”

Luna’s smile was knowing, almost sad. “In their world, love is control. Safety is control. They don’t know how to protect without possessing.” She took my hand, her grip surprisingly strong. “But here’s the thing about men like ours—they can learn. They can change. If you’re strong enough to demand it.”

I stared at her, this woman who'd somehow found her way in a world that devoured the weak. “And what if I’m not strong enough?” I asked. “What if I’m just as broken as he is?”

Luna’s smile widened. “Then you’re perfectly matched.” She checked her watch. “We should get back. They’ll start to wonder if I’ve kidnapped you.”

As we walked back to the table, Luna’s words echoed in my head. Love is control. Safety is control. Was that what Arrow was offering me? Possession disguised as protection? The thought was both comforting and terrifying.

The men stood as we approached, a gesture so old-world it almost made me laugh. Arrow’s eyes tracked every inch of me, as if checking for damage or signs of betrayal. His hand found the small of my back instantly, pulling me close to his side.

“Everything okay?” he asked, his voice casual but his eyes intent.

“Just girl talk,” I replied, squeezing Luna’s hand before returning to my seat.

The waiter appeared with another round of drinks—vodka for the men, sparkling water for Luna, and a blood-red cocktail for me that I hadn’t ordered but knew came from Arrow’s instinctive understanding of what I craved. I took a sip, the bitter cherry and smoke coating my tongue, and caught Arrow watching me, his eyes following the movement of my throat as I swallowed.

“Where are you having it?” Luna asked.

“St. Ignatius,” Arrow answered before I could. “The cathedral on Baxter. It’s secure. Three exit points, a bell tower for snipers, and the priest owes my family his life.”

“A cathedral built to survive fire. Wasn’t it burned down twice and rebuilt each time? Seems appropriate for two families who keep trying to destroy each other, only to rise from the ashes.”

“Poetic,” I murmured, though the symbolism wasn’t lost on me.

Arrow’s choice of venue suddenly made more sense. A structure that refused to fall, no matter how many times flames tried to consume it.

Luna’s eyes sparkled as she looked at me. “You’re getting married in a fireproof cathedral with a priest who’s indebted to the Romanovs. That’s the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard.”

I laughed. “Romance and survival go hand in hand in this city.”

“True enough,” Atlas nodded, his hand covering Luna’s.

The way they looked at each other made something twist in my chest. Their love was undeniable, forged in fire and blood, but still somehow tender.

As if reading my thoughts, Arrow’s fingers slid higher on my thigh, his touch possessive. I glanced at him, and found his eyes already on me, dark and unreadable.

“Have you written your vows?” Luna asked, either oblivious to the tension or deliberately trying to diffuse it.

I almost choked on my drink. “Vows? You mean besides ‘I promise not to murder you in your sleep’?”

Luna and Atlas burst into laughter, the tension at the table momentarily breaking.

“You know,” Luna said, wiping a tear from her eye, “I actually thought the same thing before I married Atlas.”

“And now?” I asked, genuinely curious.

Luna’s face softened as she looked at her husband. “Now I know the vow isn’t about not killing each other. It’s about protecting each other from everyone else who wants to kill you.”

Atlas kissed her hand, his eyes never leaving her face. “That’s the most romantic thing you’ve ever said to me.”