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Glaring at Trace, she crossed her arms over her chest, haughty as hell. “You didn’t tell Briar about the upcoming movie that you and I are meant to be starring in together.”
Trace gave an easy shrug. “I saw no need, since I’ve already pulled out of the project.”
Relief settled over me, unclenching my still-rolling gut.
“Pulled out?” Alondra echoed, incredulous.
“Of course,” he said, his brow wrinkling. “I’m hardly going to star alongside Briar’s mother if the role involves—”
“You’re lying. If you had pulled out, I would have been told.”
“Feel free to call your agent and check. I’m sure she’d be able to confirm it for you.”
An annoyed flush sweeping up her neck and face, Alondra opened her mouth to speak again, but he got there first.
“You’re not going to drag me into a dispute. I have no interest in arguing with you. I have only one thing to say to you: You don’t have to like that Briar is with me and Kaleb. You don’t even have to accept it. But youwillstay out of it. Disapprove of the situation if you must, but do not continue giving her shit over it.”
Seconds of silence went by as Alondra stared at him, her lips parted in shock. “Withyou and Kaleb? She’swithyou and Kaleb?”
“That’s what I said.”
Oh, my insides went all warm.
Alondra’s arms fell to her sides. “You cannot possibly be serious about being in a permanent triad.”
Trace’s shoulders lifted. “Why not?”
She spluttered. “You’ll be the laughing stock, for one. Think of how this will affect your career. You will lose roles. You will lose popularity. You will be shunned by Hollywood.”
“Not necessarily. Another triad came out a few years ago—an actor, a producer, and a script writer, I believe. Ah, you forgot about that, I see. That’s the thing, it became old news after a year or so. Perhaps there are some companies or individuals who nonetheless don’t wish to work with those people—I don’t know. But their careers continue to flourish.”
“That doesn’t mean the same will apply to you.”
“No, it doesn’t. But I won’t sacrifice the things I most want in order to protect my career. One of the things I most want is Briar.”
My heart squeezed at that, and the corner of my mouth hitched up.
Alondra’s hands fisted, her jaw hardening. “I won’t have you wreck her the way Ansel did me.”
“I’d never hurt her.”
“She’s safe with us on every level,” Kaleb cut in.
Alondra gave a sharp shake of the head. “You say that now, but three is always a crowd.” She cut her gaze back to Trace. “I find it hard to believe that you’re as serious about Briar as you claim. If she truly meant something to you, you wouldn’t be willing to share her with another man.”
“Youhad no problem welcoming Troy into your marital bed when you were with Ansel,” Kaleb pointed out. “Does that mean you didn’t care for your ex-husband? Or do different rules apply to you?”
Her mouth snapped shut. “Briar deserves to have someone who is all about her.”
“I agree,” said Trace. “She has two men who are all about her. That should surely please you.”
She blinked in astonishment. “I should bepleasedthat she’s making the same mistake I made?”
“Briar is not you. Kaleb and I are not Ansel and Troy. The situation is not the same at all, nor are the dynamics.Youwanted the thrill of a regular threesome, not a triad. You got what you wanted, but then things fell apart. That won’t happen with me, Briar, and Kaleb; we all want the same thing, and it isn’t a simple thrill for us—it’s far from it.”
“You’re so certain that’s what she wants? Have you even asked her? No? Allow me.” She turned to me, the image of flustered. “Is this really what you want, Briar? Don’t be dazzledby the things they’ve said here. You’ll only be temporary, just like the other women they shared.”
“No, she won’t,” Kaleb stated. “Briar’s ours. There’s nothing temporary about what the three of us have. Trace has already explained that to you. If you don’t want to believe us, then don’t. It makes no difference to anything.”
