Page 39 of Clash of Sin and Secret

Closing my eyes, I draw a breath and give my concerns a voice. “Z? How do you see the three of us in the future? I mean…there’s what you and her were always meant to be, but now there’s you and me, too.”

He arches his dark brow, his expression growing harder and a little cooler. “And apparently there’s you and her, too.”

My heart pounds faster as I take the hit. “There is a lot of pain around that night. Mistakes were made—I own that—but at least you know now.”

Zane’s gaze bores into mine. “I should’ve known before now. She was my entire world. You took her virginity and in all the years I blamed myself for her running away, you never said a fucking word about it.”

“Agreed. I was a coward. I thought I’d finally shown her how I felt, and she whispered your name in her sleep. It broke something inside me and that wrecked me.”

He sighs and his expression softens. “That night wrecked all of us.”

“But with her back…where does that leave you and me?”

He slides a gentle hand along my jawline and tightens his fingers in my hair. “It leaves us right here, like always. Scottieknows about us, and she didn’t bat an eye. She won’t expect me to choose.”

Relief washes over me and I’m too deep in this to play it cool. “Thank fuck.”

“Besides, she’s already made it clear that Tucker isn’t going anywhere.”

Frustration bubbles up within me despite how hard I push it down. “How does he even rate in this? He’s Jack’s son, sure, but we don’t know him. He isn’t one of us.”

Zane sighs. “No, but he’s good for her. There’s something about him that eases her when things get overwhelming. And if we’re in a battle and you and her are focused on keeping me safe, Tucker will always be focused on keeping her safe.”

The truth of his words settles over me like lead. Welcoming Tucker into our already tangled relationship goes against every instinct I possess. Maybe I’m being territorial—okay, I’m definitely being territorial—but Zane, Scottie, and I were an amazing trio.

Until we weren’t.

I sigh, hating everything about the idea. I understand Scottie deserves someone who will fight for her if things go badly, but it still stings.

We’re just getting her back. I’m not ready to share.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Zane

Istep out of the shower, steam swirling around me like a heavy fog. How did my father do it? He always had a serious side, but he was never dragged down by the weight of the vampire world coming at him from all directions.

I recovered the siphoned money and plugged the leak in our financials, but there is still an enemy to find, the blood trade to sort out, shipments of enchanted objects being fucked with, and the grief of my seethe.

I pull a pair of black silk pajama pants up my thighs and tie them. The fabric is cool against my weary skin, the last of my burns forgotten as new skin replaces old.

It could’ve been worse.

Dante’s death lingers in my mind, the devastation in Angelo’s sobs tearing at the last of my strength. The two of them were together for over a century.

I can’t imagine that loss. I barely survived Scottie leaving, and we were never lovers.

My bare feet are silent on the marble floor as I approach Scottie’s suite. Hesitation creeps in as I knock on her door. This isn’t just about me anymore—it’s about us, all four of us tangled in this mess we call life.

The door swings open and Scottie stands there, confusion knitting her brow. “Why did you knock?”

“Because I know you’re spending time with Tucker, and I didn’t want to intrude.”

She hesitates for a moment but then steps aside, inviting me in with a tilt of her head. The scent of her shampoo mingles with the warmth of her space. It feels familiar—but it also feels wrong because Tucker’s here.

The scent of their sexual escapades isn’t fresh, but it still offends everything in me.

“Hey,” the big man says casually from the corner. His arms are crossed over his chest, the position making his muscled physique even more obvious.

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