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His words settle in deep, heavy as stone and just as grounding.

I nod once, slow. “Thanks.”

He steps back, heading for the exit.

“Oh, and Zeke?”

“Yeah?”

“She did kiss you back. Don’t forget that part.”

Then he’s gone.

And I’m left with a stall full of horses and a fire in my chest that refuses to go out.

The sound of Jed herding the goats up to the dairy barn reaches me from outside, and if I close my eyes, I can pick up the snort of Kian’s Bull as he gives Rosie Posie a ride around the pen.

This place? The Motley Crewd Ranch? It’s pure fucking magic.

I’m honored to be here with these men and women—once-upon-a-time last-chancers who found their fated mates and get to live out their happily-ever-afters.

But I’m not like them.

I’m fire and destruction.

Chaos and terror.

Didn’t I prove that when I burned our neighbor’s barn after what they did to Arliss? When I devoured those fucking Bears who came for Dante?

What would a sweet-smelling woman with petal-soft skin, eyes like warm firelight, and a heart so pure it fucking radiates heat want with a wretch like me?

But even as I’m trying to convince myself I’m not enough good for her, my Dragon’s stance on the subject is immovable.

Casey Reynolds is mine.

Es meus.

And I’m not sure there’s anything in the world strong enough to stop me from claiming her.

CHAPTER EIGHT-CASEY

The sun is dipping low behind the trees, casting everything in this golden, buttery light that makes the entire ranch look like a country song music video.

Not the sad breakup kind.

One of the fun ones.

The kind with beers, dogs, and people who actually like each other.

It’s weird because I’m a Jersey girl through and through and country music isn’t usually our thing here.

But there’s always that odd breakthrough song. Add that to that one awesome vacation I took to Texas in college, and I have to tell you, I am a fan.

Anyway, smoke drifts lazily from the double grill out on Avery and Dante’s new stone patio.

They really outdid themselves.

Built it themselves, too, though let’s be real, she probably supervised while he Hulk-smashed his way through the dirt and carried slabs of stone like he was building a fortress.