Page 92 of The ARC Unit: Breach

Jackal’s eyes did not move from Wolf. “Don’t do that. Don’t fucking calm me down like I’m the problem in the room.”

Bear’s voice remained steady. “I’m not. I’m making sure this stays words.”

“Maybe he needs more than words.”

Wolf did not move, which almost made it worse. Jackal looked at the black webbing on his belt and something in his expression went so cold that I felt it from the couch.

“You know better than that,” he whispered.

I saw Wolf’s eyes suddenly change with recognition, immediate and uncomfortable.

“I know.”

Jackal’s jaw clenched as he spoke up. “Do you?”

“Yes.”

“Because she’s sitting there with your fucking gear printed around her wrists.”

Nobody looked at me. I wanted to disappear and yell at the same time.

“Jackal, please. That’s enough.”

He looked back at me.

“No.”

“I don’t need you fighting him for me.”

“I’m not fighting him for you.”

His eyes flicked toward my wrists again.

“I don’t care what fucking kink you two are into. You said no. That’s the fucking problem.”

There was too much underneath his words.

Jackal turned back toward him. “You don’t get to make somebody’s wrists a lesson because you lost your temper.”

Wolf’s hands remained loose at his sides.

“You’re right.”

That should have ended it. But Jackal moved again and Bear put one broad forearm across his chest.

“That’s enough Jackal,” Bear said, heavier this time.

“Move.”

“No.”

For the first time since I had met him, Bear’s gentleness disappeared without becoming anger.

He simply became immovable.

Jackal looked around his arm toward Wolf. “Say something else.”

Wolf’s voice stayed quiet. “What do you want me to say?”