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A forearm locks around my throat and knocks the wind out of me.
“You can’t go over there in a raging blackout. Take a breath. You’ll scare the shit out of Aurora, and it’ll be all over the media.”
I attempt to throw him off, but Ethan’s a tough fucker. His arm is tight around my neck, his body a solid wall against my back.
“We’re not losing her.” He relaxes his grip but continues to hold me. “They’re talking, and I’m sure it’s about you, but she’d never leave us.”
When I return to reality, Aurora is separating from Ricky, and the heartbeat whooshing in my ears quiets.
Ethan wraps his other arm around me in an embrace. “You can’t get violent whenever you’re pissed. Save that energy for the ice. You’re going to need it. I won’t let anything happen to heroryou.”
I nod and inhale a slow and deep breath, then another. I elbow him in the ribs playfully and pull away. We navigate past agroup of moms with strollers and head toward the bench where they’re seated.
Ricky leans in and kisses Aurora’s nose. Honestly, I’ve seen enough of him touching her.
“Well, isn’t this cute and fucking cozy?”
Aurora’s gaze snaps to mine, and her face flushes as she glances between Ethan and me with anoh shitexpression.
“What did I tell you?” Ricky says to her. “He’s tracking you.”
I scoff. “She shares her location with me, Einstein.”
His phone buzzes. He removes it from his jacket pocket and scowls. “We need to pause this dick-measuring contest. It’s Charlie, and he never calls.” He places the phone to his ear and strides off.
Ethan juts his chin. “Get over here, brat.”
She lowers her head and saunters over like a child about to be reprimanded. Her arms encircle his waist, and she peers up at him.
He clasps his hand over the back of her neck. “You and I will be talking later. You’re supposed to be resting.”
“When? When I’m not fucking one of you? Or both?”
I snort, and he levels a glare.
“Exactly.” He recovers from her sass with a sly smile. “Perfect reason to rest. Now, next time you sneak off, even with Ricky?—”
“It’s Reece… His name. Not Ricky.”
“Even withReece, I’m taking you over my knee.”
“Promises, promises,” she says before those naughty eyes turn my way. “You look hot today.”
I shake my head. “Don’t suck up to me.”
“I’m not! It’s the backward hat and unlaced boots.” She dares to give me a mischievous smile. “It gets me every time.”
My chest swells, and the traitorous corners of my lips curl. “Shut up.”
Ethan frowns. “What about me? Why am I never hot?”
She shrugs. “You are. It’s your serious voice that does it for me. You get all growly and rough; makes me wanna behave.”
“I’ll make you behave, all right...with my hand on your ass.”
Ricky—orReece—approaches, his jaw rigid and his gaze on me. “We need to get home.”
“Why? What’s up?” I ask with a quirked brow.
“Your father is dead.”