When I proved Logan was right. Even if I’d successfully gotten pregnant, I was still broken. I was still useless. I was stillnothing.
Vinny’s expression shifted as he watched me retreat inward. The fire in his eyes banked, replaced by something quieter
He eased back an inch. Not leaving. Just giving me space I wasn’t sure I deserved.
“Hey,” he said, voice softer. “What’s wrong?”
My head violently whipped side to side as if that alone could unruin the moment I’d just shattered.
I curled inward, shoulders rounding, hands coming up like they could shield my ribs from being seen through.
Nothing,I signed,I’m fine.
The motions looked sloppy, and while I was most definatelynotfine, I assumed it would pass, we would fuck, and everything would be fine.
Then, Benji shifted away from me without saying a word.
No. No. No.
I could be useful. I could be sexy. We could all fuck and then go about our day.
Without thinking, I reached for Benji, fingers catching the edge of his wrist before he could fully pull back. My hands were clumsy, frantic.
Wait. Please. I can–My signs all tangled together.
I could be useful. I could be wanted. I could make this smooth again if I just tried harder.
Benji didn’t look annoyed. That somehow made it worse.
He turned fully to face me, golden brows knitting together, and gently peeled my fingers from his arm.
“Hey,” he said softly. “No.”
Vinny shifted then moving from looming heat to solid presence at my back. He didn’t touch me right away. Just stayed close enough that I could feel him there.
“You don’t have to earn anything here, Violet. I thought after a month and a half, you’d know that.” Vinny said. “You don’t owe us sex, or obedience, you don’t even owe me a mark.”
My throat tightened painfully.
Benji nodded.
“We just want you happy andsafe.” Benji stopped speaking for just a moment. “Letting Vinny mark you is the safest way to do that.”
The look Vinny shot him mademesquirm.
“No. She doesn’t want marked, I don’t mark. That’s final,” he growled.
I shook my head hard, tears burning behind my eyes.
That’s not how it works, I signed, hands trembling.
Vinny exhaled, long and controlled, like he was forcing himself to stay calm for me.
“If I ever find out where the fuck you came from before Serena hit you with her car–” Vinny paused, rubbing at the square of his jaw.
He didn’t need to finish. He was going to threaten to kill someone for me, and that should have made me feel safe. I wanted Logan dead, Gods knew how badly I’d wanted that. But I didn’t want a violent alpha.
I didn’t need someone to kill for me. I needed someone to bekindfor me.
