Page 111 of Pucked Around and Found Out

Even if I'm terrified of what that means.

Even if admitting it makes me vulnerable in ways I swore I'd never be again.

She's mine to protect.

Mine to fight for.

Mine to⁠—

I stop that thought before it can finish, but the truth is already there, buried beneath layers of rage, grief and denial.

I care about her.

More than I should.

More than is safe.

More than I can afford to.

And tonight, I'm going to prove it.

By making sure Fiona Williams regrets ever coming after her.

By standing beside Toren instead of against her.

By choosing the future instead of the past.

Even if it destroys me.

Even if I don't deserve it.

I climb into my car, and Andrade slides into the passenger seat without comment.

Behind us, Johnson is helping Cas into the back, settling him in with his casted leg stretched out.

“Let's move,” I order, and we peel out of the driveway.

Heading toward Toren.

Toward the girl who makes me feel things I thought died with Em.

Toward the only person who's ever looked at me and seen something worth saving.

And as the city blurs past, I make myself a promise:

Tonight, I protect what's mine.

No matter the cost.

No matter what it takes.

No matter what.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

XADEN

We're ten minutes from the house where Toren is staying when the flashing lights appear in my rear-view mirror.