Page 13 of Jagged Burn
He’s at my side in an instant, body angled between me and Sam, shoulders squared like he’s ready to go through a wall.People are starting to notice, shoppers slowing their carts, pretending not to eavesdrop.
Sam smirks wider.“Oh, look.Hero boy thinks he’s scary.What’s the plan, Grey?Burn me with your ugly mug?”
I flinch, and Stefan stiffens.I can feel the fury radiating off him like heat.“Leave,” Stefan grinds out.“Before I forget I’m supposed to protect people and not end them.”
Sam leans closer, voice low and venomous.“She’ll come back.She always does.You can’t protect her from herself.”
Something in me snaps.
“I’m not going back!”My voice cracks through the aisle, sharp enough to make a woman drop her cereal box.My hands shake, but I force the words out.“I’d rather live in a cardboard box than with you.You don’t own me, Sam.Not anymore.”
For the first time, his smug expression falters.Just a flicker.Then he sneers, spitting the word like a curse.“Bitch.”
Stefan moves so fast I barely see it.One second, he’s beside me, the next he’s got Sam by the collar, shoved against the shelves hard enough to rattle flour bags.The whole store freezes.
“You ever come near her again,” Stefan snarls, “and I’ll make sure you regret it.Do you understand me?”
Sam struggles, eyes darting, but Stefan’s bigger, stronger, and angrier.He nods once, muttering something I don’t catch.Stefan shoves him back, releasing him like he’s garbage, and Sam slinks off down the aisle, throwing one last glare over his shoulder.
Silence hangs heavy.I realize I’m shaking, gripping the cart handle so hard my knuckles are white.
Stefan turns to me, expression softening instantly.“Are you okay?”
I laugh, but it sounds hollow.“Define okay.”
“Anna...”
“No, please don’t.”My voice trembles.“Don’t look at me like I’m going to shatter.I’m done shattering.”
His jaw tightens, but he nods.“All right.Then what do you want me to do?”
What do I want?God, the question slams into me like a truck.I want safety.I want peace.I want nights without fear and mornings without bruises.And more than anything, I want Stefan.
The truth barrels out before I can stop it.“I’ve loved you since I was fourteen.”
His whole body goes still.I swallow hard, heat crawling up my neck.“Yeah.Congratulations, Grey.You were my first crush, my first everything.And you’ve haunted every stupid relationship since because none of them were you.I thought I could settle.I thought I could make it work.And look where that got me.”My eyes sting, but I don’t care.“So no, I don’t want you to treat me like I’m fragile.I want you to finally admit you want me too.”
The silence is deafening.Shoppers pretend not to stare, but I can feel their curiosity burning holes in my back.None of it matters.Just him.
Stefan’s hand curls into a fist at his side, the scarred skin pulling tight.He looks like he’s at war with himself.Finally, he exhales slowly, ragged.
“You think I don’t want you?”His voice is low, almost dangerous.“You think I haven’t wanted you every damn day for years?You’re wrong, Anna.But wanting and deserving are two different things.”
I step closer, closing the gap he left.“That’s not your decision.It’s mine.And I decide who I love.Scars and all.”
His eyes search mine, torn and desperate, but the pull between us is magnetic.For a heartbeat, I think he’ll give in, right here in the middle of the flour aisle.His hand lifts, brushes against my cheek, tender where Sam was cruel.
“Anna...”he whispers, like my name is a prayer.
I lean into the touch.“Yeah?”
Then he shakes his head, stepping back.“Not here.Not like this.”
Frustration claws at me, but I let it go, for now.Because even if he won’t say it out loud, I saw it in his eyes.He wants me.And I’m not letting him run much longer.
“Fine.Let’s finish our shopping and go home.”
