Page 77 of Graves

“Please don’t cry, baby. It’s okay. I love you so much, nothing could change that.”

“Don’t tell me that just because you think it’s what I want to hear, please. You should be pissed at me. I’m a fucking whore.”

My grip on her tightens as my tone becomes stern.

“That’s enough. I will never tolerate anyone speaking about you that way, yourself included. It’s okay, Blake.”

Her eyes come to my own, flitting back and forth between them as she shakes her head.

“How are you okay with this?”

I stare at her for a moment, using my thumb to brush away her tears as it grazes her cheek.

“Because I’d rather share you with Zayden forever than risk losing you. Let’s be honest, if I forced you to choose, I’d lose you.”

She shakes her head quickly, and I think she even believes herself, but I don’t.

“No, I would,” I insist. “The fact is, there isn’t just room for me in your heart. You love him too, or at least you’re getting there. Even having half of your heart is the greatest gift I’ve ever been blessed with, and I’m not letting that go for anything.”

I press a kiss against her knuckles, her fingers intertwining with my own as she shakes her head softly again.

“I don’t know what I feel. I don’t love him. He’s creepy and controlling and psychotic, obviously, but he also…gets me. Better than I get myself, it seems. Or at least a piece of me. He makes the darkness inside me feel…okay.”

“Yeah,” I sigh as I squeeze her hand. “He has a way of doingthat. Of making bad things seem okay, allowing you to embrace yourself to the fullest.”

She nods in agreement.

“So, you’re okay with this? With me being with…both of you?” she hedges carefully.

“If it makes you happy. That work for you, brother?” I ask Zayden, who woke up at least a minute ago.

Blake startles in my arms, turning her head to see Zayden watching her carefully. His hand reaches out, tangling in her hair several times, like it soothes him, before he responds.

“You know, if it was anyone else, I’d kill them?” he asks Blake, obviously referring to me.

Surprisingly, she laughs at that, nodding her head softly.

“Good, but you better figure out what you feel for me soon, angel, because I’m so fucking in love with you that I’m ready to carve your name into my heart.”

She cocks her head to the side and smiles.

“That’s oddly sweet of you, Zay.”

The nickname seems to roll off her tongue, and my eyes shoot to his instantly. His body tightens in response, though, so he answers my unasked question.

“Zay?” he questions, the word seemingly having a sour effect on his tongue.

“Short for Zayden,” she draws out sarcastically. “You know, a nickname. We’ve talked about this with Dom, remember?”

Zayden stays quiet for several seconds.

“That’s my nickname? I get one?”

She shrugs as a wide smile breaks outacross his face, one brighter and wider than I’ve seen him wear in years. There isn’t a hint of wickedness or deranged anger hidden in the corners, just joy and bliss. It’s a good look for my brother.

“You love me,” he grins.

She scoffs and shoves him away. “I gave you a nickname, Zayden. We aren’t picking out wedding rings.”

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