âOk⦠letâs eat,â I say, hoping the food distracts them from the intense eye lock between them.
âSo now the car crash makes sense. What exactly are you involved in that is putting Valerie in danger?â
Atticus growls just as I plate the grilled chicken.
âAtticusâ¦â I say, feeling a sting at his words, pausing from what Iâm doing and looking over at him.
âPlease.â
âLet him say what he needs to. Once itâs out of his system, he might be ready to actually fucking listen and then feel like an idiot.â Zade says quietly, his hand now cupping the back of my head as his fingers tangle in my hair, and he turns my head to face him just as I eat a bit of chicken.
I think Atticus growls, but Iâm not sure⦠distracted by the man looking at me. My heart skips a beat, far too enraptured by Zade, and itâs crazy how just being in his presence messes with my mind. He doesnât say anything, simply staring into. my eyes intensely for a few moments.
My throat feels dry and I swallow, wanting him to kiss me, but instead, he simply massages the back of my head with his fingers for a second before he lets go of 1. me. T It takes me a moment to focus on what we were talking about. Whatever Zade just pulled there has left me feeling hot and bothered. I shake my head, fanning my face. âThis chicken is hot.â
âIâm sure it is,â Zade says, pouring me some water and placing the glass in front of me.
âThanks.â
âI will say what I need to because if youâve somehow made her forget that you were the one who killed-â
âAtticus, stop.â I close my eyes, knowing what heâs about to say. âWe were in battle, we killed them â
they killed us⦠two sides at warâ¦. Donât do this.â I whisper pleadingly, feeling the ache inside my chest once again.
âAre you telling me that, or trying to make yourself feel better?â Atticus asks softly, his eyes burning into mine.
Maybe if that question had been posed to me a few weeks ago, I would have doubted it and the thought would have stung, but thereâs nothing but clarity in my mind now.
âIâm telling you because itâs not only what I believe, but the truth. Iâm not justifying what he did. There was a battle, and there were casualties. Jai did what he knew best. He protected Alpha Hugh. He died a hero, and I will always love him and respect that.â
His frown softens, and I glance at Zade for a second before looking back at Atticus. âBut I need you to trust me. Iâm happier than I have been in years.â I whisper.
He looks down, and when he looks back into my eyes, thereâs a sadness in them. â I wish I could have done more for you,â he says.
I shake my head. âYou have been an incredible brother, and I will always need you, Atticus,â I say, standing up and walking around the table. I hug him from behind, resting my cheek against his. âReally.
I mean it, you have been my support when Iâve been at my lowest. You did more than anyone else. I love you Atticus.â I whisper through the mind link.
He places a hand on my arm, giving it a gentle squeeze. âBut him?â he asks. âDid he really protect you?â
âSomeone is after me or more like after our kind and thatâs something I do need to talk to you about, but yes, he has done nothing but protect me, even when Iâve only hurt him. He might act like he doesnât have a caring bone in his body, but he does. He truly does and I think Iâm already in love with him.â a I can sense Atticusâs surprise as he stares across at Zade and even my heart is thudding at what Iâve just said, but⦠I think I doâ¦
I glance over at Zade, my heart racing, and I suddenly feel a little dizzy at the thought.
âI really donât see what you love about him.â Atticus states, bringing me from my reverie.
Seriously? Is he for real? Zade is the sexiest man Iâve seen, and he doesnât even need to try.
âWell, aside from being dropâdead gorgeous, he looks out for me, and he cares for me.â I say. Atticus looks up at me and I smile warmly at him, hoping he understands that.
He sighs and nods. âIâll try to be mindful. Youâre old enough to make your decisions and you have always had your head screwed on right. Itâs going to be hard, but Iâll try.â
I smile, hugging him tightly, or almost choking him.
âThank you!â I say, before I let go of him and hurry around the table, hugging Zade around the shoulders and kissing his cheek before I sit down, feeling relieved.
âNow then, shall I fill you in? Or do you have anything else to throw my way?â Zade asks, his eyes trained on Atticus as he loosely places his arm around my shoulders possessively, tugging me a little closer to him, his hand resting against my breasts.
Atticus frowns slightly before he nods. âNo. Iâm done unless you mess this up. So, yes, please do fill me in, because I was going out of my mind with worry.â
Moonlight Muse Author Thank you for reading. Iâve caught whatever my son had, but I will update when I can