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I definitely don’t need guys from the Vipers protecting my girl, but I also don’t need her to think I’m some overprotective Neanderthal. She had enough of that with Dylan.

And apparently, she’s perfectly capable of handling herself because she barely misses a beat as she disarms West and redirects the conversation.

I love watching her come out of her shell.

“It looks like Aspen is feeling better,” I say to Banks, forcing myself to allow Willow the freedom to do her own thing, no matter how hard it is to let go. I’m not the kind of man who’s generally overly possessive, but my need to protect her reared its head the moment I saw her in that hospital bed and now that she’s mine, I can’t seem to let go.

Not that anyone will hurt her here.

Certainly not our friends from the Vipers.

“She is,” Banks agrees, following my gaze as I watch Willow talking and laughing with West and Magnus. “And we got slammed tonight, so of course she jumped in to help. It’s good, though, because she was starting to go stir crazy at home.”

“I know how that is. Willow’s the same way. I just don’t know how to protect her until we get past this bullshit with Dylan.”

He nods. “Yeah. He needs to fuck all the way off.”

Willow throws back her head and laughs at something West says and I feel a tug of jealousy in my gut that I can’t tamp down.

Dammit.

“Relax,” Banks says quietly. “She’s not interested in him.”

“I. Know.” I grind out the words even though I don’t quite believe them.

Well, my brain does but my heart is an insecure, immature jerk.

“What can I get you guys?” Aspen comes over to us with a smile.

Her belly seems to have doubled in size since I last saw her, and I can’t believe Banks isn’t losing his mind with her behind the bar, but he’s smiling.

“Gamebreaker for me,” I say.

“Me too!” Willow calls out, grinning at me. I’ve told her all about the drink that Colt came up with in college and I know she’s anxious to try it.

The ladies chat while Aspen whips up our drinks.

“There you go.” She wipes her hands. “And now I’m going to take a break.”

Banks immediately reaches for her hand, and I slide an arm around Willow’s waist. “Do you want to sit with the others?” I motion to where Briar, Atlas, Royal, and Jade are sitting.

“Of course. Do you want to join us?” she asks West and Magnus before I can stop her.

“Sure.” They follow us to our table and pull up extra chairs.

My teeth are on edge as West sinks down next to Willow, but I’m surprised when she turns and presses her lips to mine.

“Jealous much?” she whispers in a teasing voice.

Good thing I’m not obvious.

I grunt. “Maybe.”

“Don’t be. From a romantic perspective, all I see is you. But I’m allowed to have friends, right?”

Well, that takes the wind right out of my sails.

“Absolutely.” I stroke her cheek. “Don’t mind me. It’s been a minute since I had a girlfriend, and after everything Dylan has done, my knee-jerk reaction to everything and everyone is to protect you.”