Page 59 of Over the Edge

“Because I’m not walking away from this.” The words surprised even me as they left my mouth, but I knew they were true. “From you.”

Her eyes widened, something like panic flashing across her face. “Flynn?—”

“I’m not saying we need to define anything. I’m not asking for promises. But I’m not going to let you shut this down before it even has a chance.”

She looked away, her jaw working. “You don’t understand.”

“Then talk to me, princess. Tell me why this won’t work.”

She was silent for so long, I thought she wouldn’t answer. When she finally spoke, her voice was so quiet I had to strain to hear it.

“I can’t be what you want.”

“You don’t know what I want.”

Her eyes met mine, suddenly fierce. “Yes, I do. You want the woman from last night. The one who let go, who didn’t think about consequences. But that’s not who I am, Flynn. I can’t afford to be that person.”

“Why not?”

“Because people die when I lose focus!” The words exploded out of her, raw and jagged. She took a shuddering breath. “I can’t... I won’t let that happen again.”

There was so much pain in her voice, and I wanted to pull her into my arms, to promise her everything would be okay, but I knew better. Instead, I stayed where I was, giving her the space she needed.

“What happened wasn’t your fault,” I said quietly.

Her laugh was bitter. “You don’t even know what I’m talking about.”

“I don’t need to. I recognize the look.” I’d seen it in the mirror enough times. “You’re carrying something heavy. And you think being alone makes it easier to bear.”

“Pot, meet kettle,” she said bitterly.

“Fair enough.” I couldn’t argue with that, and I conceded the point with a slight nod. “The difference is, I’m willing to admit that maybe the lone wolf lifestyle isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. I never thought so until last night. Until you.”

In that moment, the wall between us dropped completely, and she looked utterly vulnerable standing there.

“Flynn.” My name fell from her lips like a plea. “It’s not that simple.”

“It could be,” I replied, stepping closer.

A battle played out behind those green eyes. “I came here to do a job. To prove myself.”

“And you can still do that. This doesn’t have to be either, or. This changes nothing about the mission.”

“It changes everything.” She shook her head, curling her arms around herself like armor. “I spent years building myself into someone who could handle this kind of work. Someone focused. Untouchable.”

I reached for her hand, half-expecting her to pull away. She didn’t. “I hate to break it to you, princess, but you’re very touchable.”

A reluctant smile tugged at her mouth, but faded as quickly as it had appeared.

“You know what I mean.” She pulled her hand away, but not before I caught the tremor in her fingers. “This isn’t who I am. I don’t do... whatever this is.”

“And who exactly are you, Lyric Renard?” I closed the distance between us and brushed my knuckles down her cheek. “The ice queen who pretends nothing matters? Or the woman who was all fire and need in my arms last night?”

Her breath hitched. “Both. Neither. I don’t know anymore.” That admission seemed to cost her something. “I’ve spent my entire life becoming whatever person the mission needed.”

“Maybe it’s time to find out.” I lowered my head with every intention of kissing her senseless, but Elisa Deveraux’s phone buzzed across the table, shattering the moment.

Lyric jerked away, relief and regret warring in her eyes. “I have to get that.”

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