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“Uh-huh. And the assassin waiting for you outside the door? What about him?”

Jupiter sighed haggardly. “We’ll think of something.”

“Here.” Trev tossed the folder at Jupiter. “Hit him with this. I’m sure that’ll work. Good luck.”

Jupiter caught it. “I’m serious, Trev. This isn’t a game. Before you agreed to anything with Cold, you should have talked to me first.”

“Is that so?” Trev planted his hands on hips, batting his lashes as he fought to keep his anger from boiling right over. “Last time I checked, I don’t need your fucking permission to do a motherfucking thing. You don’t fucking own me, Jupiter. You don’t get to tell me what to do. You’re not my fucking boyfriend. You’re not my fucking anything, you fucking?—”

“Then why do you still wear that collar?”

“For the fucking aesthetic.”

Jupiter set the folder aside as he stood, glaring down at Trev. “I won’t allow you to put yourself at risk like this.”

“Won’t allow me?” Trev laughed right in his face. “Fuck you.”

Jupiter grabbed the ring of the collar. “I said no.”

Trev pushed Jupiter’s hand away. “If only that meant something to me! What a shame!”

“Trev, I can’t let you do this.” Jupiter growled.

“Let me? You can’t let me do this?” Trev growled right back. “You have some serious fucking misconceptions about who I am as a person if you think I would ever let anyone control me?—”

“Goddammit! This isn’t about control!” Jupiter reached for Trev’s shoulders. “This is about you risking your fucking life! It’s not worth it, baby doll. Not for this. Not for me.”

“Who said I’m doing it for you?” Trev shot back furiously. “I don’t know what the fuck Cold is planning except that he doesn’t give two shits about me, you, or anyone else except for how he can use us. This is the only play I have to get the fuck out of here and to a nice fancy fucking beach, okay? I’m doing this for me. I want a fucking happy ending, you arrogant piece of shit, and that means having you with me, okay?”

Jupiter blinked slowly and his mouth opened, but no words came out.

Trev wanted to strangle him.

But also kiss him.

Okay, but he also really wanted to strangle him.

Fuck it.

Trev grabbed Jupiter’s face and dragged him into a fierce kiss.

There was no future without Jupiter. He knew that now, even though recognizing that terrified him. He was willing to play Cold’s games, to do whatever it took to keep this man by his side.

“You are worth it,” Trev said with a gasp, dragging his fingers through Jupiter’s hair.

“But—”

“Shut the fuck up.” Trev clamped his hand over Jupiter’s mouth. “The risk, the fucking whatever, all of it. You’re worth it. To me.”

Jupiter hugged Trev’s waist tight and he smiled. “And here I thought you were smart.”

“I am fucking smart.” Trev scowled, but he relaxed as Jupiter toyed with the collar at his neck. “Smarter than you and your stupid family, Cold and his bullshit, and I…” He sagged in Jupiter’s embrace.

“What is it, baby doll?”

“There’s just something about you that makes me stupid.” Trev cradled his cheek. “But still not stupid enough to let you tell me what to do. So.” He took a deep breath. “I’m going to do this, okay? Just… shut up and let me do it.”

Jupiter’s expression softened, and he pressed their foreheads together. “I’m sorry. I know you’re a badass motherfucker, but last time I checked? You’re not bulletproof either.”