Page 170 of They Are Mine

I sigh. “Well. Not always.”

He frowns. “What do you mean?”

I shrug. Casual. “I was researching Elliot during a lot of that time,” I admit. “So I wasn’t here.”

Orion stills. Just for a second. Then he steps back, searching my face.

And I can actually see the exact moment it clicks.

“Shit,” he says. His voice drops, low and rough, something between disbelief and awe.

I smile. Sweet. “She was awful to you, Orion,” I say simply. “Out of line. Unacceptable.”

His nostrils flare slightly, but he doesn’t pull away.

He doesn’t even blink.

Instead, he tilts his head, studying me like I’m some puzzle he’s trying to solve.

And then?

He exhales, laughs. Not a normal laugh. A low, dark, knowing chuckle.

“You were here with me the whole time,” he says. “Any time they ask? We were together. Or with Noah.”

And just like that?

I am covered.

Because Orion is mine. I am his.

And Orion will always protect what’s his.

Noah and Elliot stroll in.

Orion looks at me. Not mad. Not scared. Just… questioning.

I smile. Sweet. Loving. Reassuring.

I walk straight to them, kiss them each on the jaw.

“There’s an issue,” I say.

Elliot immediately tenses.

Noah just sighs.

“Really?” Noah says, rubbing his forehead like a tired husband whose wife just maxed out another credit card. “Are you in love with another one, already?”

“No, not that.” I wave a hand, dismissing the idea I’ve found another man. But it could happen, so I add, “And if it were that, that’s not an issue.”

“There’s been an unfortunate incident with Orion’s ex,” I start. “The police want to talk to me because some nosy nitwit at school saw me take the bitch down for touching him.”

Noah groans and flops down onto the couch, grabbing a throw pillow and hugging it like it’s his emotional support animal.

Elliot steps in like the goddamn therapist he is. A hand on my waist. Firm. Calming. “Is she pressing charges?” he asks, voice steady, patient. “Did you hit her?”

Orion chuckles. Dark. Knowing.

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