Page 48 of Rules

“You can’t just run away!”

“Oh no? Watch me!”

She turns on the balls of her feet, ready to dash away, but the rapid movement has her stumbling, probably over the clothes I left scattered on the floor. I lunge forward, my hand wrapping around her arm as I try to save her from the fall.

I pull her closer, her body colliding with mine, and we both fall back on the bed.

Brook turns to face me. “What do you want, Max?” She sounds exasperated, but also tired.

I can see it in her eyes.

Tired of pretending.

Tired of constantly being angry.

Tired of fighting this.

Whatever this thing is between us.

Tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear, I let the back of my hand brush gently against her cheek.

“I want to help you,” I murmur softly.

And I mean it. I want to help her. I want to protect her, not that I have any right to do so or that she needs protecting. Brook Taylor is a badass. Small yet fierce, she has the heart and attitude of a lioness. The circle of people she lets in is extremely small, but she loves and protects them with ferocity. And the thing about protecting is maybe you don’t need it because you’re strong on your own, but maybe the one who wants to protect you needs it to stay sane.

I was always protective of Jeanette. We might be twins on paper, but I was born first, I was the man, so I always looked at her as my baby sister. Made sure everybody else looked at her as my baby sister so they wouldn’t mess with her.

Look at what good that did.

And that need to protect has only increased in the last few years, so it’s not surprising that when I came to Greyford and met Amelia that same need to protect arose once again. Lia reminded me, and still does, of my sister when she was younger. Innocent. Her soul is completely pure, her heart full of kindness and love. And then there was Brook.

Lia’s best friend.

Firecracker.

Badass.

A girl with the most beautifully broken, haunting green eyes.

Eyes that have seen way too much ugliness in the world.

Eyes that with one single look, see right into my soul.

“Then make me forget.”

She settles on my lap, her legs on either side of me. The tips of her fingers brush my cheek, tracing the lines of my face as hers comes closer.

Looking at her so close makes me breathless. Brook is not a touchy person, not even with Lia, who’s like a sister to her, so for her to initiate the touch…

“What are you…”

“Shhh…” The tip of her finger presses against my lips.

She leans forward, her forehead touching mine. Light brown hair that was tucked behind her ear gets loose and falls down, long, wavy strands touching my face. Those cat-like eyes stare into mine.

Waiting.

Assessing.

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