Page 41 of Reflections of Peonies
Brayden Dubois stood in my double doorway. A suitcase was on the ground next to him, and he looked around my living room as if he’d just witnessed a train wreck.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, rubbing the back of my arm over my mouth. My voice sounded rough. I tried to ignore the broken dishware, the spilled liquid, and the crushed wooden cart. When did I even rip the photos off the wall? “How did you get inside?”
“Your front door was left wide open.” Brayden shrugged, stepping into the room and approaching one of my chairs. “So, which room is mine? Where’s Bianca?”
I opened my mouth, but Julian touched my arm.
“Bianca is taking a moment for herself,” he said calmly. “I wasn’t aware that you—”
“I’m moving in!” Brayden flopped in the chair and crossed his legs at the ankle. “Bryce already told me what’s going on, so Icame right over. She and I have so many years to make up for. There are so many ways we can torture Bryce together. It hasn’t been the same all on my own. I have a feeling she’ll be all for it.”
Julian was frowning, disapproval etched into his face. “This isn’t a game. Bianca is in a delicate state.”
“I know,” Brayden interrupted. He uncrossed his legs as he leaned forward and braced his elbows on his knees. His tone grew somber, and his expression was menacing as he looked between us. There was a deadly air to him as he suddenly resembled the warrior he was supposed to be.
“There’s also that,” he said, his voice low. “I’ll just need you deviants to stay away from her. Okay? Thanks.”
Julian groaned as I was stunned in silence. Titus, however, only continued to scowl at Brayden.
Who did he think he was talking to?
“What?” Miles replied, watching him incredulously.
“You can’t be surprised.” Brayden’s fierce gaze was unwavering. “After all, look at what I’ve arrived in time to witness—another one of Damen’s famous tantrums.” He waved his hand in the air, gesturing around the room.
My heart beat wildly as shame burned at me. He was right. Seeing this would have terrified Bianca. It would have broken everything we’d only just begun to build between us.
“She’s not here…” This time, I was lucky.
I’dneverhad to control myself around Mu. This was entirely new territory.
Mu’s temper rivaled mine in the past, although his anger was directed much differently. But it was his ability to hold a grudge that made people fear—and his obsession with revenge. In comparison, I only required a temporary outlet and then moved on. I had better things to focus on than slights.
The only two people in the world able to break through myrage should be Julian and Bianca. But Bianca wouldn’t be able to do that. Not now.
I felt helpless and stupid. I’d been avoiding it for too long. For the first time, I was going to have to controlmyself. Bianca couldn’t see this, and I couldn’t always rely on Julian.
It was such a basic skill, but I’d never had to do it before. I’d never felt more ashamed.
“You’re lucky she’s not here right now,” Brayden continued, unaware of my tumultuous thoughts. “Because I would have killed you if you scared her. I don’t care who you are. She doesn’t need you fucking up her life because no one has ever held you accountable.”
He was right. I stared at the broken glass across the room. “I know.”
“And she also doesn’t need…” Brayden began, but then his voice trailed off. “What?”
I met his stunned stare. “I’m going to change,” I told them, and the weight of my resolve settled over me. “I’m going to work on my temper.”
“You?” Julian let out a short laugh. “You’re going to work on your temper? You’ve been volatile and selfish since the very beginning. Why do you think I can’t stand you?”
Still? I thought we’d gotten past that.
“I’ll do better,” I promised. It shouldn’t be hard. I practically had my doctorate in psychology. I could figure it out. “It’s your fault, too,” I told Julian.
Julian’s eyebrows raised in unison. “What?”
“You’re enabling me,” I pointed out and touched my chest. “You always subdue me instead of letting me deal with my own emotions.”
“You were about to open the Gates of the Underworld!” Julian gritted his teeth. “What else was I supposed to do?”
