Page 81 of Property of Bones

“Chains is kind of a hoot, huh?”

“Sunny.”

“Knuckles and Crusher don’t talk much, but I bet they’re both really nice.”

“Baby.”

“Foster’s scary smart, isn’t he?” I smile again. “He told me yesterday he used to be a firefighter, but that was part of his old life. I bet he has a heck of a story.”

Jack sighs, and I keep going.

“I haven’t met Patch, but I’ve heard things. Riley says he’s funny and misunderstood by you guys. I’d really like to meet him someday. And Maverick… he seems like a mystery man. Not quite a member. Disappears for weeks, sometimes months. I bet one day he’s going to shock the heck out of you all when he finally reveals who he really is.”

“Sunny. Baby, I need you to focus here.”

“Tank’s in love with Abby, but apparently he’s an idiot.”

“He is,” Jack mutters. “But, Sunny…”

“And then there’s you,” I continue, voice gentling. “Bones. Jack. The man who protects his people with everything he has. The one who never stops watching, always calculating, always worried.”

Jack leans back on his heels, hands resting on his thighs. He just listens.

“I’ve had a good life, Jack,” I tell him. “I had a great childhood. Wonderful parents. Lots of childhood friends. A couple of boyfriends. A job I love. A cute little home. Life always felt… perfect. At least, I thought it did.”

My gaze softens as memories flicker through my mind.

“Then two women started coming into Marv’s Market. We talked every time. We became… sort of friends. Sometimes, they brought these big, scary-looking men with them. Guys who made other shoppers turn around or leave the store entirely.”

I laugh, just a little.

“But I always thought those men were wonderful. Kind. Loyal. People’s reactions confused me. Yeah, I knew who they were. What group they belonged to. I’d heard the rumors. But they didn’t scare me.”

My eyes drop to his.

“Then I metyou.Darth Brooder. Rude. Arrogant. Mean because you wouldn’t let me slide down your stair banister.”

A small smile tugs at Jack’s mouth.

“And despite all the chaos that’s occurred since you came crashing into my world, I’ve never been happier. I thought I was happy before. But I didn’t even know what happywasuntil you.”

I pause. Let the weight of my words settle.

“I understand the dangers. I understand the risks.”

Jack holds my gaze, that smile still lingering, but his eyes tell a different story. Hope, fear, love… maybe even regret.

“I’m not blind, Jack. I know what being with you really means. I know what being tied to the Shadows will cost me.”

I reach out, fingers brushing his cheek, tracing the faint scar just below his eye.

“But I also know what it gives me. I’ve never been protected like this. Never been seen like this. You make me feel like Imatter. Like I’m not just a part of your life…but part of your very existence.”

His hand comes up, wrapping around mine, holding it gently against his skin.

“I’ll take the locked compound,” I say. “I’ll take the escorts. The chaos. The blood on your hands. All of it.”

I lean in, just a little, heart open and steady.

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