Chapter 31
Tyce focused on Briel as he continued, “I wanted you to see how real it is. I wanted you to know that it can’t be helped, can’t be changed. Marko and Thea. You and I. We’re definite.”
“I-I already know most of this,” she stammered. “Pyper told me. Aries told me. I just…you never told me that I was yours.”
“You are. And you don’t know about the side effects of the affliction. Like Marko, I’ve been unable to eat, drink, or sleep. I’m getting close to being at the end of my sane phase here.”
She looked at him then, really looked at him. He was thinner than she remembered, his muscles more corded and the veins in his hands and neck were standing out in stark relief. There were bags under his eyes too, and she felt like grit for not having noticed sooner. “What does that mean, the end of your sane phase?”
“I’m about to become like Marko. Feral. I need you to end this for me.”
She shook her head. “I-I’m sorry. I didn’t know I was doing anything. I didn’t mean to.”
“It’s alright, Angel,” he soothed, smoothing a hand over her hair, his hope soaring. “As soon as we’re together, everything will be alright.” His heart slammed into the wall of his chest though, because Briel was shaking her head. Dropping his hands, they tightened into white-knuckled fists as he asked, “Why not? You’re attracted to me, Briel. Don’t bother denying it, and I sure as fuck want you!”
She backed up a step and, unable to keep himself from it, Tyce followed.
“You just said Monroe could delay the affliction, but that you weren’t afforded the luxury.”
Tyce’s face blanked. “I didn’t mean it like that.”
“You said you wanted me to see how it can’t be helped, can’t be changed.”
“Wait! You’re getting the wrong impression. You’re twisting my words.”
She didn’t stop. “I get it. I mean, look at us!”
He shook his head once as his brow furrowed.
“I’m not good enough for you, Tyce!”
His scowl deepened, and he actually recoiled, stunned by her words. “What?”
Briel shook her head adamantly before glancing down at herself. “Look at me! I’m a hot mess, all holey jeans and cranky mornings. And you!” She snorted and threw an arm toward him. “You’re…you’re…perfect!” She said the word all disgusted. “Tailored suits and never a hair out of place.” Her face fell as she looked up at him. “I’d embarrass you, Tyce. The people who know you expect a certain type of woman on your arm. Everyone says so. I’m not it. I’m not her. People would look at you differently because of me, and then you’d resent me, and,” she shook her head. “You clearly already do if you’re pissed that StoneCrow Walkers can delay the affliction and you can’t. I don’t need that. I don’t wanna be just something someone settles for. No.” She turned her back on him. “No, thank you! I don’t want that hurt, or the struggle of it all. My answer is no.”
Holy hell, it felt like he’d been kicked in the nuts. NO? No woman had ever said no to him before. No one had ever said no to him before! It pissed him off. “It wasn’t a question, Briel. And it’s not an offer. I’m not giving you a choice. And it pisses me off that you give such little credence to your worth. That shit won’t fly with me.”
Briel’s expression hardened in an instant as she turned to face him, and thank fuck, because he really couldn’t watch her wearing that wounded look a second longer.
“You’re not giving me a choice?” Tiny hands planted on slender hips as her brows winged up. “Excuse me?”
He wanted to stay angry, but just the sight of her all fiery and pissed at him made him chuckle. Fuck, I love her! His smile vanished, and he swallowed hard as the sound of his own heartbeat flooding his ears as the world stilled.
I love her? The longer the idea rolled around his head, the more his resolve hardened. I. Love. Her!
“Listen, you don’t get to tell me who I am and am not going to be…”
His arms shot out, hauling her to him before she could finish her sentence before his mouth crashed onto hers, swallowing her protest.