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"If he has me arrested, I need your guarantee that you'll be on Makenzie's doorstep the second I'm in cuffs. He's already put his hands on her once."
"Jesus Christ," Zayne growls.
"If he touches her again, I'll kill him."
My older brother goes completely silent before muttering a low curse.
"So it's like that?" he asks.
"It's precisely like that. She's mine." I'm not going to deny it. I don't give a fuck about our rules or what we promised. This is bigger than that. She's more important than that. And right about now, I'm thinking Zayne and Gideon both know exactly how I feel. Zayne's lost it for Emma, and Gideon's already sleeping with Kenna. Not a single one of us can point the finger without pointing four others in our own faces.
"Ma is going to lose her mind."
That makes me smile. Ma is going to lose her mind. She's all but given up on us giving her grandbabies. Hell, I think she's given up on us ever giving her the daughters she always wanted. She got saddled with the three of us, and Lord knows, we haven't made it easy. But she's going to love Makenzie. And Makenzie will love her. She deserves Ma in her life.
"Just promise you'll be on her doorstep the minute they put me in cuffs if he decides to lash out once the shit hits the fan."
"I'll be there," Zayne vows. He may be driving me up the fucking wall lately, but one thing Zayne doesn't do is break a promise. He'll protect my girl with his life if that's what it takes.
I just hope like hell the little voice whispering that this is necessary is wrong for once in my life. Because if Lyle comes after Makenzie again, I'm not sure I won't kill him anyway.
Chapter Eight
Kenzie
"Stoplookingatmelike that."
"If you didn't want me looking at you, you shouldn't have worn that fucking dress," Zion growls, watching me from between slit lids as we make our way into the ballroom at the Hilton. "I'm mad as hell it's not on the bedroom floor while I'm wearing you, angel baby."
My cheeks heat as a blush climbs up them. His mouth is going to be the death of me. He says the filthiest things, but in the sweetest way possible. And I don't have to ask to know he means every word. The truth is written all over his face.
"It's just a dress, Zion," I say, trying not to think about how badly I wish it were on the floor while he was wearing me. I got so used to him being in my space yesterday, spending the day away from him today felt…different. Even though he was right outside, I didn't like it.
I think I'm addicted to this man.
I also think I don't care.
I've had nothing but time to think all day. And every road led right back to him. It's terrifying how quickly he's become important to me. It defies logic how perfectly he fits into my life. I feel like the little warning voice in my head should be screaming at me to slow down. Going this fast can only end in disaster. Yet, everything about this feels right.
I've always believed that we forge our own fates. Our futures aren't predestined. There is no higher power and no magical beings weaving looms that decide how our lives will unfold. We're the only ones who decide that. What we choose to do every day—whether we fight or fold, whether we give up or get up—determines where we land in life.
But with Zion? He feels bigger than any decision I've ever made, as if somehow, he was meant to step into my path and help decide the course of my future. He was meant to change my life. I just had to find the courage to let him.
I think I found it somewhere inside the salon today.
"That's just a dress," he says, nodding to a middle-aged woman a few paces ahead of us in a royal purple ballgown. "You're in a goddamn Siren's lure."
I smile, glancing down at myself. The dress isn't at all racy or inappropriate, but it is beautiful. It's a teal, off-shoulder front-split gown with draped lace, tulle, and gorgeous beading. The bodice hugs my curves before the tulle skirt flares out, floating around my legs like water. I fell in love with it the minute I laid eyes on it.
I feel a little like a princess in it, especially with Zion on my arm.
"I'll be sure to let the designer know you approve."
He hooks his arm around my waist as we approach the doors to the ballroom, pulling me up against his body. His mouth lands close to my ear. "I'll show you exactly how much I appreciate it as soon as I get it off of you tonight, angel baby."
My stomach quivers.
We reach the doors. Camera flashes light up from every direction, momentarily blinding me. I lean into Zion, my mind clouded with his scent, with his promise, with him.
