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He slowly walks into my room, chest bare. “Don’t touch me,” I sign, face furious. “Don’t come near me.” I back toward the balcony. I have a shot at jumping, and I’ll take it if I must.

“We didn’t have a problem back on that stage,” he reminds me, eyes flashing in rage. His steps slow, body tense. “We sure as fuck aren’t going to have a problem now.”

Briar jumps over the bed with a grace I didn’t know men could possess. Tackling me to the floor, I thrash and scream. We wrestle, and my elbow connects with his nose. Swearing, he pins my hands over my head, and I kick out.

I hate having my hands restrained—he’s taking away my voice.

“Calm down,” he growls, blinking away tears. “If they find us, we’re both screwed.”

“Then let go of my hands!” I kick my leg, smacking him in the back.

Briar yelps and releases me, but his heavy grip falls to my hips. I’m still trapped, but at least the knot in my throat subsides.

“Let’s talk about this, Sunshine.”

“What’s there to talk about?” I spit. “You’re an O’Brien.”

“And you’re a Bruno.” He adjusts slightly, touching his bruised nose. “You didn’t seem to mind my name when my cock was buried inside of you.”

My cheeks flush. Of course I didn’t—because I thought I was in control. I thought I had planned for everything. And I didn’t care who was behind the mask, because it was for me.

His lips caress my cheek, a shudder rippling through me. “Didn’t you wonder why I was there the night of the party?”

“You think you’re the only one to try to kill Roman?” I snort. “Hardly.”

“Do you always save your brother’s life from would-be assassins?”

I glare, but keep my comments to myself. That’s not the point of this.

“I came to this house to kill him,” he murmurs against my lips. As pissed off as I am, my body still aches for another kiss. “I’ve never killed a person in my entire life. But him? I’d gladly do it—I wanted to do it. He’s made my family’s life a living hell, so if it meant dealing with some demons at night, so be it. Then I saw you.

“A vision in gold, the sun manifested within reach. I was struck dumb by you. And I never even saw your face. I lost my focus. It became entirely about you.”

His words drop like wax against my heart. Hot and so damn potent.

“I should kill you for being an O’Brien,” I hiss, voice lacking venom.

“And I should’ve killed you that night,” he agrees quietly. “But I couldn’t.”

“We might be from opposing families, but it’s not going to stop what’s between us, Sunshine. I’d defy the stars to keep you mine.” He brushes his nose against mine. “I’m going to let you up. You can scream if you want. But it won’t keep me away.”

Slowly, as if scaring an alley cat, Briar slides off and crouches on his knees. He holds his hand out to me. I stare at it. This is so dangerous—he is dangerous. By being here, he’s sealed my fate as a traitor, and who knows what Roman will do to me.

But he’s also the man who owns my heart.

Silently, I grab his palm, and he pulls me to my feet. My robe opens, and I wait to see what he does. Most men would take advantage of the situation. Briar doesn’t—with sure fingers, he tightens my sash. My belly turns liquid at his kindness.

“Pills are on your table,” he explains, keeping his hands on my hips. “I need to do something, but I’ll be back.”

“I don’t want you to come back,” I lie, words harsh. I desperately want him to come back.

He smirks. “You’re lying. That’s all right; you’re mad. We’ll work through that.”

Briar presses a chaste kiss to my temple, and I swat him away. I can’t show him I’m melting at his touch, or how I inhale his scent. Or how I sway, the briefest amount, closer to him, as if my heart is tied to his and refuses to be without it.

Gah! He’s the enemy—my enemy!

He retrieves his sweatshirt and pulls it back over. Reality vanishes, replaced with my fantasy once more. Exhaling, I let myself lean into it, if only to stave off the turmoil that awaits me with his absence.