Page 14 of Wraith’s Betrayal

"Holy shit." Tiffany sat back, eyes wide. "Blade's going to lose his mind."

"Nothing's happening." Technically true. One explosive kiss followed by three days of pointed distance wasn't exactly something.

"But you want it to."

The truth spilled out before I could stop it. "I've wanted him since the second I walked into that clubhouse. It's insane. Love at first sight isn't real, right? That's romance novel garbage. But I looked at him and just... knew. Like my soul recognized his or some ridiculous cosmic thing that makes no sense."

Tiffany's expression softened. "That's how it was with Blade. One look and my entire world rearranged itself around him."

"But you didn't have to worry about Blade murdering someone for touching you."

"No, I just had to worry about thugs trying to steal drugs from the clinic." She reached across the table, squeezing my hand. "Look, I won't tell Blade. That's not my secret to share. But Raven? Be careful. Your brother loves you both. This could destroy his friendship with Wraith.”

"You think I don't know that?" Frustration bled through. "You think I want to feel this way about my brother's best friend? His military brother who literally saved his life?"

"What do you mean?"

I'd said too much, but Tiffany deserved context. "Blade never talks about it, but Wraith mentioned it that first week. They met at some VA hospital bar, both drinking themselves toward bad decisions. Got in a fight together, ended up in lockup. That's where Viper found them."

"I knew they had history, but..."

"There's more. When Wraith's sister died—cancer, few years ago—Blade kept him from eating his gun. Literally. Took the weapon, stayed with him for three days straight until the worst passed."

Tiffany's eyes glistened. "Jesus."

"So yeah, I get it. This thing with Wraith? It's the worst idea possible. But I can't make it stop. Every time I see him, every time he makes my coffee exactly right without asking, every time he tries so hard to maintain distance... it just makes me want him more."

"The forbidden fruit thing?"

"No." I pushed hair behind my ear, trying to find words. "It's like... imagine you've been speaking a foreign language your whole life, and then you meet someone who speaks your native tongue. Everything just clicks. Makes sense. Feels right in a way nothing else ever has."

"That's beautiful and terrible."

"That's my life." I managed a laugh that came out shaky. "I should leave. Find somewhere else to stay. Remove the temptation."

"Where would you go? You're broke, between jobs, and Blade would track you down anyway."

All valid points that I'd already considered during my sleepless nights. "Maybe I could stay with⁠—"

"Don't you dare suggest staying with some random person when you have family here." Tiffany's mom voice emerged, surprisingly fierce. "You belong here. The question is what you're going to do about Wraith."

"Nothing. There's nothing to do. He made that clear after—" I caught myself.

"After what?" When I stayed silent, her eyes narrowed. "Raven Beckett, did something already happen?"

"We kissed." The admission felt like relief and condemnation combined. "Three days ago. I came home upset about another dead-end interview—amazing how fast word spreads when your ex trashes your reputation—and Wraith was just there, being understanding, and I couldn't help myself. I kissed him."

"And?"

"And he kissed me back like a drowning man finding air. Pressed me against him on the counter top, hands everywhere, grinding together like teenagers." My skin heated at the memory. Then we got interrupted and we came crashing back down to earth.

"Shit."

"Yeah." I took a long drink of cold coffee, needing something to ground me. "Now Wraith can barely look at me. Like I'm made of glass. Or dynamite. Maybe both."

"He's scared."

"Of Blade?"