Page 154 of Unhinged
Arrow smiles, slow, like he’s barely holding it together.
“Yeah,” he says. “And you’re ours.”
CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO
GEARS
I don’t move right away.
I sit there like an idiot, watching the woman I’ve come to care about more than anything walk around marked and glowing, and all I can think isserves me right to be last. I was the one who held back the most. I was the one who gave her the cold shoulder, even when I wanted to touch her more than I wanted my next breath.
Arrow and Acid—they earned their marks already. I earned my place on my damn knees.
So that’s what I do.
I move over to her, heart beating as fast as a bee's wings, and drop down in front of her. Not like some big grand alpha move. No, this is different. I take her hands in mine, and I look her right in the eyes because she deserves that.
“I’m sorry, Brydgett,” I say.
She starts to talk; probably something smart-ass, like always, but I shake my head.
“Foo—”
“Let me finish,” I cut her off.
I take a breath, shoulders tense.
“I’m sorry I had my brothers take you and Judge. Sorry we tied you up in the basement like you were something to be contained. And most of all, I’m sorry I pushed Acid to hurt you. He could’ve said no, yeah, we all know that. But he follows my lead. I’m his brother. His president. His leader. And I led him wrong.”
Her hands twitch in mine, but she doesn’t pull away. That matters more than I can put into words.
“You were the first female we ever laid hands on that wasn’t a monster,” I say. “And you’re the last. I know you’ve moved on…you’veshownus, shown me in your actions, but I need you to hear it from my mouth. For as long as I live, Brydgett, no harm will come to you. Not by my hand. Not by theirs. I will give my life to protect you and Judge. I swear it.”
She’s quiet for a second, and when I look up, her eyes are shining, but she’s holding it back. Tough to the end.
“I forgive you,” she says, and then she smirks, and damn if it doesn’t ease something in my chest. “Next time, just warn a girl if you wanna play rough.”
That makes me huff out a laugh. “Deal.”
She leans forward, presses her forehead to mine, and I breathe her in. That scent, jasmine and citrus, burns into my lungs, and my control slips. Not all at once. Not fast. But slow. Steady.
Like her choosing me gave me permission.
I look up at her still standing, all fire and strength and mine, and I reach for her waist. I tug gently, pulling her down so she’s on her knees with me. Eye to eye. No power games. No rank. Just us.
She lets me.
I bring my mouth to her neck, finding the spot just above Arrow’s mark. The last bit of untouched skin there that belongs to her andwillbelong to me. I kiss it first, because this matters. Because she matters. Then I sink my teeth in, deep and final.
Her body jerks when I bite her, and she grabs onto my shoulders like she’s gonna fall if I let go. I hold her steady. Iwantto hold her steady. The bond doesn’t slam into me all at once. It comes on slow. Warm and heavy. Like syrup moving through my veins. It’s sweet, but not soft. It’s strong. Real. It doesn’t hurt, it just settles in deep. Like it’s been waiting this whole time, and now it’s finally where it belongs. When I pull back, I taste her blood and scent on my tongue.
She’s mine.
And then she looks up at me with those wild, wicked eyes and says, “Your turn.”
Before I can answer, she’s lunging forward, teeth sinking into my neck, right where she marked my brothers. Same spot. Her spot. I grunt and hold still as her claim burns into my skin like a brand, and the bond flares again—stronger now. Like a final puzzle piece clicked into place.
She licks the mark once, sealing it.
