Page 51 of Beautiful Scars: Unshakeable

It's obvious, as these men absorb my words, that they understand. And, that I made the right choice.

"I'll bring it up to them in the morning, so we can get started."

I can't help but break into a wide smile. "Thank you so much. I appreciate it more than you could possibly know."

"You're welcome," Chase adds with a grin, "And just so you know, we can be very persuasive. If you need us to be, of course."

I arch my eyebrow in his direction. "Is that what you call it?"

"Hey, my powers of persuasion are legendary." Chase clutches his chest in mock offense. "Just ask anyone."

"I think the word you're looking for is 'annoying'," Ty deadpans.

"That too." Chase winks at me. "But seriously, Angel. We've got your back on this. And between you and me?" He leans in conspiratorially. "I think learning some moves would be good for you. Might help quiet some of those nightmares."

The understanding in his voice makes my throat tight. These men, who could so easily be intimidating and dismissive, have become something like brothers to me. Protective but not suffocating, supportive without making me feel weak.

"Thank you," I whisper. "For listening. And understanding."

"You're one of us now," Ty says simply. "That means something."

The monsters that drove me down here are starting to feel a little more distant.

"So," Ty says, gathering up the scattered papers. "While we're planning your future as a badass, want to try helping me teach Chase some basic math skills?"

"Don't even start," Ty protests.

I pull one of the papers closer, studying the numbers. "Well, once upon a time I did actually enjoy numbers. Before..." I trail off, but at least the memory doesn't hurt as much as it used to. "Maybe fresh eyes will help."

"See?" Chase beams. "Sunny's on my side."

"I didn't say that," I counter, already finding three errors in his first equation. "But I'll help you fix it."

The conversation shifts back to work matters, but I can feel something has changed. A small step maybe, but an important one. Towards what, I'm not sure yet. But for now, sitting here with these two men who've become family, I feel stronger than I have in a long time.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Levi

Ipacethelivingroom, trying to work off some of this nervous energy. The conversation with Sunny from earlier plays on repeat in my head. Her quiet determination. The way she twisted her fingers in her lap while explaining why she wanted Chase and Ty to teach her self-defense instead of me or Z.

My teeth grind. The rational part of me understands. Of course she needs this. Of course she should learn to protect herself. But the thought of anyone putting their hands on her...

I slam my fist down on the desk, knocking over an open bottle of water. Fuck.

"Real mature." Zane's dry voice cuts through my spiral. He leans in the doorway, arms crossed.

"Not now." I continue pacing, unable to meet his eyes. He gets it too—I can see the same tension in his shoulders.

"She's right, you know." Zane moves to block my path. "We'd never push her hard enough. We'd hold back. Too much."

"You think I don't know that?" The words come out as a growl. "Doesn't mean I have to like it."

"No one's asking you to like it." Zane's voice stays measured, which only irritates me more. "But you throwing a tantrum isn't helping."

I whirl on him. "A tantrum? You want to see a fucking tantrum?"

"Actually, I'd rather see you get your shit together before Sunny comes in here and thinks this is about her." His eyes narrow. "Because it's not and you know it. This is all a you issue.”