Page 10

“No.” Cyrus’s voice was firm. “Breathe.”

Squeezing my eyes shut, I shook my head. My body vibrated, the anxiety slicing through me like tiny little shards of broken glass.

“Look at me, pet.”

That rough demand forced my eyes open.

“I said, look at me.Now.”

A soft whimper left me, but I did as I was told and was met by a dark, stormy gaze.

“Breathe,” Cyrus said gently, taking a deep inhale before blowing it out slowly.

I did the same, repeating after him.

Inhale.

Exhale.

Repeat.

“Again.”

Inhale.

Exhale.

Repeat.

My heart finally started slowing down, the need to leave no longer there.

“I got you, pet,” he whispered, reaching out and running his thumb along the pulse point on my wrist.

That single touch sparked something inside of me that had been dormant for so long.

“We should go, Cyrus,” Piper suggested. “Jaron is here anyway.” She came up to me and picked up my phone. She quickly typed something on it and showed me the screen.

You good?

I nodded, my heart warming that she cared.

She smiled. “Take care of yourself, Ainsley.” She handed me my phone, spun on her heel, and went up to Sammy. “Let’s go.”

He hesitated, his eyes locking with mine. They flicked between his brother and me, a deep frown settling between his brows.

Cyrus didn’t budge.

That fact alone made me stand up straighter. I jutted my chin, refusing to back down from his incessant stare.

His mouth spread into a smirk, something flashing in his eyes.

Piper muttered something to him, gently pushing him out the door. I watched as she was greeted by Jaron. Before she even made it to their car, he had her in his arms. She threw her head back. Even though I couldn’t hear her, I could feel her laughter and for the second time that day, I smiled.

Cyrus

She was absolutelybreathtaking.Especially when she smiled. As cliché as it sounded, it lit up her whole face and reached her eyes. I woke up that morning in a shitty mood only to meet this beautiful woman and have her smile pull me out from under the dark cloud that constantly hung over my head.

Her blonde hair was pulled back into a messy ponytail with loose strands framing her face. Her lips were a light pink and freckles sat on her nose and cheeks where the sun had kissed her skin. She appeared to be small under the ripped jeans and baggy sweater she was wearing but I knew that if I let her, she could force me to my knees, and I would comply.