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My eyes close, tears escaping, my lungs hitching. “I’m t-trying to protect you.”

That thumb stills, “From what, baby?”

Oh, God.

I shouldn’t have said that.

When I don’t answer, he sighs softly, that thumb starting up again. “Okay, then. Let’s try this—what videos was TJ talking about?”

I shake my head.

Another sigh, that thumb still gently stroking, his other hand settling on my hip. “Fine, baby. So why was TJ telling you, you have to be home by five o’clock tomorrow?”

I clench my teeth together, trying to keep it all in.

But no matter how hard I cling to the ice…it doesn’t work.

It breaks apart. It melts.

No ice. No fire. Just me.

And I can’t do it.

“I can’t go back there,” I whisper. “I can’t.” My lungs hitch. “But I have to.”

He tilts my face up. “Why, baby?”

I don’t know if he’s asking why I can’t go back or why I have to.

And yet, all I can say is, “The videos.”

“You have to go because of the videos,” he says quietly and I nod. “What’s on the videos, princess?”

Princess.

Ace is on the video calling me that, holding me gently, kissing me and touching me and⁠—

My lungs hitch, more tears stream down my cheek, and…I give in.

I take my phone from him and navigate to the text that broke everything.

And hit play.

The shadows coalesce into us, the camera angle not flattering, the filming itself shaky as hell.

But it’s us.

Among lanterns and a lake, moonlight dancing over our naked skin.

If it didn’t ruin everything, I might think it was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.

Our bodies coming together, our love clear in each touch, each word.

But it’s not just for us.

My brothers have seen this. My father.

And they’re going to release it unless I go home.