His white shirt was splattered with red—drops, smears, streaks.
Not good.
That meant he’d lost it more than usual.
He saw me and his jaw flexed.
“Ash.”
“K,” I replied lightly.
He tossed the bloody rag aside. “They released you, I see.”
I shrugged. “No one can keep me locked up forever.”
“What thefuckwere you thinking?” His voice wasn’t raised—but I felt it like pressure against bone.
“I wasn’t thinking,” I said, grinning. “I wasfeeling. And it was fucking incredible.”
Dev muttered, “Oh gods,” under his breath.
K stepped forward, cold and lethal. “You are going to fuck up everything we’ve worked for if you don’t keep yourself under control.”
I snorted. “Little late for lectures, don’t you think? You lost control two minutes ago.” I gestured at his shirt. “Looks like you redecorated someone.”
K didn’t rise to it. That was when you knew he was dangerous.
“Ash,” he said quietly, “stay away from Seph.”
My smile dropped. “No.”
“Yes,” he snapped. “You will stay away from her.”
“No,” I said again. Louder this time. “I like her.”
“You don’tknowher,” he hissed.
“I don’t have to! Ifelther,” I growled, jabbing my thumb against my own chest. “She’s—” Words failed me. I hated that. “She’s mine.”
K’s eyes went glacial. “She’s not yours.”
“Is she yours?” I asked carefully.
He didn’t answer.
Behind him, Dev went rigid—like someone had just pulled a pin from a grenade.
I tilted my head. “You want her for yourself, K?”
His jaw tightened—barely. But I saw it.
Bingo.
“She is under my protection,” he bit out.
“Good,” I laughed. “Mine too.”
“Ash—”
