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“I’ve been a dick,” I say to everyone and no one in particular. “To all of you.” I pivot my body and look at where Skye’s back faces me. Lifting my hand, I place it on her lap, and she turns back. “Despite everything, you’re all still here. Thanks.”
“Shit’s boring. Nothing better to do,” Lorenzo teases, but I know he’s full of shit. The room is quiet for a second before Cyrus leans forward and places his elbows on the table. He looks fucking exhausted.
I feel it. The past few years have been hell. Probably the next after this, too.
“We need a plan. One to lure Felix out of hiding.”
Again, silence descends as everyone considers ideas that’ll get Felix to expose himself.
It’s Skye who speaks first. “Use me.”
What the fuck! There is no way anyone would ever contemplate doing that, but as my gaze lands on Lorenzo, I see the wheels already turning.
“No!” I tell anyone in the room who would dare even consider it.
“Hear me out—” she starts, but I don’t let her continue.
“I said no. Absolutely not.” I glare at her as I reply sharply.
In typical Skye Matthews form, she squares her shoulders, doesn’t look at me, and addresses the other men in the room. Her defensive nature and tough exterior piss me off and turn me on in equal measures. I push down the latter and welcome the anger.
“Where does Williams think I am?” She’s looking at Cyrus when she speaks as if he’s running the show. Spoiler alert: he’s not.
I glare at him. “Do not answer her.”
She spins her attention back to me. “It’s a logical question. Does he know I’m here?”
“No,” Cyrus answers her, not me.
“I made it look like you were shaken by the fact you think your client is missing.” It’s Jax who speaks this time through the speakers in the wall.
Skye has a dazed expression on her face. “And how did you do that?” she asks. There is a bite in her voice that she reserves for when she is annoyed. She’s pissed. Rightfully so.
She stands from the chair and paces around the room. She moves back and forth, and I wonder what she’s thinking. Knowing her, it pisses her off that Jaxson Price most definitely hacked her email and pretended to be her. This doesn’t shock me, but then again, I have seen him do worse.
It’s fascinating to watch the emotions play out on her face as she decides what to say. Her mouth opens and shuts, and lines form around her eyes. When she finally speaks, it’s not what I expect. “This plan works. Also, Jaxson . . .”
“Yeah, Skye?”
“Don’t hack me again, or I will kill you.”
He laughs. “Duly noted.”
“What are you thinking about over there, Lawyer Lady?” Trent teases, amusement present in his voice.
“Use me. If he doesn’t know I’m with you, I can be bait.” Skye speaks so matter-of-fact it’s almost hard to object. However, it’s not going to happen.
“As I said before, no.” I drill her with a look to shut her up and stop this insanity. My eyes narrow, and my jaw clenches because, to make matters worse, she isn’t looking at me when I do.
Nope. She’s looking at Cyrus and then Lorenzo. While I’m biting back my anger, she’s imploring these men, my men, to agree with her. To let us sacrifice her.
“No. Fucking. Way.” I abruptly stand from my chair, causing it to fall to the floor with a crash.
“Tobias!” Everyone turns toward Matteo. “She has a right to this fight.” I narrow my eyes at him.
“Careful, cousin, you’re treading into dangerous territory. Tobias looks like he might skin you alive.”
“He might, but trust me when I say she’s right. Sometimes you have to put away your fears.”
“Priceless, coming from you, Matteo,” I snap. “If this were you . . . Oh wait, this was you, and you lost your shit.”
“You can’t always protect her. Sometimes, she has to protect you back.”
“Don’t I fucking know it? She and I have the bullet wounds to remember the two times she did.” Pulling my shirt up for emphasis, I dare anyone at this table to object.
That’s when I feel the soft touch of her hand. It’s on my shoulder, trying to get my attention and calm me. It’s working. Having her close is enough to calm the beast inside of me. The next thing I know, she steps up to me and wraps her arms around my middle.
“I need to do this, Tobias.” She’s not asking permission, nor should she. She is telling me, but she still wants my support.
“Tobias . . .” Her lips touch mine, pleading with me to see her side. “My parents died, too.”
I know she’s right, and I also know this is the best option for us. Reluctantly, I nod, and she kisses me again before pulling away.
