Page 79 of Never Dance with the Devils
Chance takes a slow, steady breath and then exhales heavily. “You don’t let people in very often or easily, so this is …” He looks at the three of us like he doesn’t understand us at all. “I don’t want you to be hurt,” he finally admits, and I think it’s the most honestly revealing thing he’s said this entire time. It changes the tone between them entirely, from adversarial to caring.
“The only person hurting me right now is you.”Kayla’s voice is quiet but certain as her cold, powerful Ice Queen persona drops away. For the first time in this conversation, or hell, maybe ever with her family, she’s putting her heart on her sleeve, returning Chance’s realness with her own and hoping he won’t take advantage of the moment of vulnerability.
Fidgeting with her ring, her eyes fill with fear and hope, and her breath catches in her chest. This is the moment she is at her strongest—the woman beneath the defense mechanisms and façade, the tender heart beneath the hard protective shell. This is the woman I love—the real Kayla.
I press a kiss to her temple, needing to touch her, wanting to support her, and thankfully, she leans into the affection. I don’t know her family’s rules about that, but we’re breaking all the other ones, so what’s one more? What’re they gonna do? Be pissed? That’s already happened, so fuck it.
Chance watches the display between us, gritting his teeth like he’s trying to stop the words from coming. Or maybe he has more choice things to add to his already unsuccessful argument. “I saw what people were calling you.” His eyes harden, his jaw setting with restrained fury. He glares at Maddox and me as if that’s our fault, and I guess in a way, it is. We’re the ones with the history that’s sullying the relationship we’re now building.
He’s angry and acting out in defense of his sister.
The realization hits me like a bomb, reframing everything he’s said and done. I have a sister too, and I don’t know what I’d do if I thought she was making a choice that would ultimately destroy everything she’s worked for—her reputation, her career, her heart and soul.Pushing her to step away from the danger would be the least of it, I know that much.
A seed of respect for the brother who’s causing all the drama tries to take root. A tiny one, but it’s there. I can understand a man who would burn the world for those he loves. I’m that type of man too. I would do it with violence while Chance is doing it with words, but we are maybe a bit more alike that I first thought.
Kayla, though, is tougher than any of Chance’s worries. “People have always called me names. They’ve watched me, eagerly anticipating my failures and getting off on seeing me fall on my face when I make a mistake, all the while trying to make me feel small and weak so they could feel better about themselves. I have lived my entire life with more naysayers than cheerleaders, and if I were to let them determine how I live my life, I wouldn’t be half the woman I am today.” She gives Chance a long, even look, and I’m now more curious than ever to hear what exactly has transpired between the Harrington siblings. “I don’t care what they’re saying about me. They can rot in their jealousy, gossiping about me while living their own sad, unfulfilled lives. I do care about you and I hope you’ll come to see that this is the right choice for me. But even if you don’t, I’m going to live my best life on my own terms, with the two men I love and who love me.”
The three of us stare down Chance as a singular unit, challenging him, not to argue further, but to accept this. For his own good. The alternative is potentially losing his sister.
“Damn, Kayla,” Cameron mutters proudly, nodding in approval.
Kayla gives him a quick glance but keeps her attentionfocused on Chance. He frowns, still thinking despite the full-blown love declaration. “You’re sure?” he asks.
Kayla barks back, “In my entire life, have I ever done a single thing I didn’t analyze, calculate, list out the pros and cons of, and obsess over? You want to review the spreadsheet I made?” Chance seems on the verge of saying yes, and Kayla quickly shuts him down. “No. It’s none of your business. Trust me to know that I’m making the right decision for myself.”
Kyle holds up a hand, telling Chance, “Gonna say, you probably don’t want to see the whole list. I definitely saw at least two entries in that spreadsheet firsthand, and my ego still hasn’t recovered. I have nightmares.” He eyes go vacant, like he’s remembering his time in the war, the he shivers dramatically, his gaze clearing.
When Kayla glares at him, Kyle mimes locking his lips and throwing away the key. I get a picture of what their lives must’ve been like growing up all together, five boys and one girl who ruled them all.
“Okay.” Chance’s entire argument ends with one little word.
“Okay?”
“I trust you,” he declares. “Them? No. The world at large? Definitely not. But you? Always.”
And somehow, that’s it. Kayla smiles at him and he smiles at her, and they reset their positions to the same side of the war. Them against the world, with us being accepted into their fold at Kayla’s side.
I’m still not counting him as an ally. More of a non-enemy, which is a start, I guess.
“Shall we move to the dining room?” Miranda suggests. As she turns, I see her wiping at her eyes, andCharles rubs her back, following her closely and whispering to her privately.
I can see how Kayla became the woman she is—strong, confident, independent, hard-working. And also caring, kind, and full of love to give… if you’re worthy.
Luckily, I am.
KAYLA
“Outside fork,” I quietly tell Riggs, answering his questioning look confirming which fork he should use for the salad course. He nods in appreciation, but I’m pretty sure he already knew and just wanted to check in on me.
But I’m fine. If anything, they’re the ones to worry about.
They’re going through a crash course, first-hand look at the not so pretty side of being part of the Harrington family, and in many ways, they are knocking it out of the park. To their credit, they let me fight my own battle against Chance, albeit with a fair amount of tense grumbling from both of them, and they didn’t make a run for the door. Not that I thought they would.
I trust them to stick with me through the good and the bad days to come. And I fully expect there to be a fair amount of each. They can trust me too. I won’t give up on us, and fuck knows, I’ll fight for us. I already faced down one of the people I love most, so the rest of the world will be easy pickings.
“Excuse me, everyone.” Conversation around the table stops, all eyes turning to Cameron. “I know tonight has already been a bit dramatic.” His eyes land on mine, a glint of amusement in their blue depths. “But I have an announcement to make.”
He reaches out to take Riley’s hand, his face softening. “As you know, Riley said yes when I asked her to marry me last Christmas.” He pauses, and I swear we all lean forward in eager anticipation. Mom especially. “And we’ve chosen a date—August 8th. We hope you’ll all come to witness us becoming a family, officially.”
