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"Hey," I softly say, my voice laced with concern.
Starla's hazel eyes lift to meet mine, worry and exhaustion etched into her features.
"Hi," she murmurs lightly, forcing herself to rise she takes a shaky breath. "I can't believe this."
I remain silent and wrap my arms around her, pulling her into a warm embrace.
I ask in a hushed tone, "Were you hurt?"
She responds with a quiet murmur. "No, I'm . . . I'm okay."
A wave of relief washes over me. Thank the Gods she's safe an unharmed.
I hold her tightly, pressing her body against mine with immense force.
There's no getting around this anymore. I have to be honest with her.
The tension between us is suffocating me, and I can't bear the thought of us not getting over this because I can't man up and tell her the way I feel.
I pull away slightly, lick my lips, and think about my words carefully before I speak.
"I'm sorry I've been giving you the silent treatment," I begin, trying to keep my voice steady. "The truth is, I got so upset because I don't want you flirting with anyone else. You're right about your position changing within the club. You're phasing out of being ahóra. You're gonna be the manager for Bubba's soon and I can't bear the thought of another man coming into your life."
Starla furrows her brows and anger starts to cross over her face. "I can't believe you?—"
I give her a stern look, "Please, let me finish," I place my hands on her shoulders and look into those gorgeous eyes of hers. "I don't want a man coming into your life becauseIwant to be the man you're with."
Emotions swarm through my chest as I wait for her reaction.
She stares back at me with her soft hazel eyes, and for a moment, everything seems to calm down between us.
Tears begin to well behind her eyes and she swallows hard before speaking. "You know, I wish you would have told me that before."
I inhale deeply, nodding. "I know. I do too."
I brush my hand against her face, feeling the softness of her skin, continuing. "I was a fool for not saying anything. We both know I could've lost you."
Starla wraps a hand around mine and looks up at me adoringly, "But you didn't, and you won't. Not ever."
I smile softly at her. "You have no idea how refreshing it is to hear you say that."
She closes her eyes for a moment and then looks back at me. "If I'm being honest with myself, I've always been drawn to you, but I tried to keep a line between it. We're such good friends. Let's face it, you saved me from a lot of hurt back in the day. I owe you a lot, Ivar, and I didn't want anything to ruin our friendship. You've always been my safety net in every room I walk into. Now I see why. Your protectiveness over me is a way of showing me you care."
I nod, my heartbeat finally slowing down from getting this off my chest. "Yeah, it is. I wasn't ever trying to take control over you or some shit."
Starla laughter rings out, a much-needed sound in the midst of the seriousness between us. "You know it wouldn't have been easy for you anyway."
I smirk at her words, knowing she's right. "You're right about that."
The night I found her, she was a broken woman, but she isn't broken anymore. She's stronger than ever.
Heavy footsteps come from behind me and Magnus' voice rings out. "Where are they?"
Starla responds calmly, trying to ease Magnus' worries in the process. "Aziza's getting prepared to get taken back into surgery so they can remove the bullet. It got lodged in her leg. Rayna's back getting a head CT right now, but if it's clear they said they'd release her."
I turn in time to see Magnus shaking his head in disbelief. "What the fuck happened? I don't understand."
Aesir is a couple of feet behind Magnus, his gaze searching between us all, looking for answers like we all are.
