Page 110 of Blackwood

Focus, Bella. Just think. What would Zeke do?

Well, bitch. Zeke would’ve never gotten himself tangled up in a situationship with an artsy version of a damn Esquire model and a Russian fighter who makes your brain short-circuit every time he looks at you with his damn icy eyes.

Zeke would’ve stayed focused. He would’ve stuck to the mission. He would’ve ghosted before feelings could complicate the plan.

Damn it, Bella.

No, fuck that shit. Not damn it, Bella. Damnit,Dr. Monroe and his“You need real intimacy. Real connection. Real trust.”crap.

Tell that to the part of me currently debating whether to lie, cry, or pretend to pass the fuck out in front of the two most beautiful men I’ve ever seen in my life.

This is such bullshit. This is exactly why I don’t do therapy. Or relationships. Or Russian fighters with tattoos on their fucking soul.

“Cade, please…”

His hands tighten around mine. Gentle. Solid. “Sweetheart, it’s okay.”

I swallow the knot in my throat. Then sigh. They obviously are not going to let this go.

“Okay. Fine.” I glance at Lex, then back to Cade. “We should probably sit down,” I mutter. “This is a pretty long story.”

We sit side by side. My hands still feel shaky, but they’re wrapped in Cade’s and Lex is close enough I can feel his warmth like armor.

“Okay,” I start. “So, you know that I was an orphan. Lived in Arkansas. Bad foster home. Brother got me out. Died. And now I’m here.”

They both nod.

“All of that is true,” I admit. “But there’s a lot more.”

I breathe out. “When I was little, I wasn’t in a bad home, I was in a good one. My dad was an ex-Razorback quarterback and a firefighter. My mom was a teacher, but also used to dance. I got my love of dance from her. I was loved.”

My southern accent slips out, soft and unguarded. “Really loved. Until my mama died of cancer and then my life blew up.”

Lex leans in, voice a low rumble. “What happened, baby?”

I swallow, the memories catching like glass in my throat. “Apparently there was some kind of issue with my paperwork, I really don’t know. Something with the records. CPS showed up out of nowhere and took me away. I still have nightmares about that day… being dragged out of my Daddy’s arms. My aunt screaming. Begging them not to take me away.”

I pause, breath shaking. “They didn’t care. They put me in a new home in Miami.”

I look down at my hands in Cade’s. “On the outside, it looked perfect. Ocean view. White pillars. Beautiful garden. Smiling couple. Everything clean and quiet like a damn brochure.”

I feel Lex tense next to me. Cade’s thumb stills against my skin.

“But it was all a lie.” I look up, throat tight. “Carlos was a monster. He took in kids knowin’ his fancy, sick pedo friends would pay good money for a few minutes with us. Or better yet, just buy us straight out like we were nothing but property.”

Lex explodes, “What the fuck?”

Cade grabs my leg, like his body’s on autopilot and wired to shield me before his brain even catches up. There’s panic in his touch, urgency in the way his fingers dig in, like if he holds me tight enough, nothing can touch me. Nothing can take me.

“It’s okay,” I whisper, holding up a hand as they both look ready to burn the world down. “No one touched me. They never got the chance.”

I blink, hard. “I was protected by my foster brother. Zeke.”

Lex’s voice is quiet, almost reverent. “The Z on your shoulder?”

I nod. “He intercepted every deal meant to buy me or our little brother Dylan. Hacked systems, rerouted payments, faked medical emergencies. Took every punishment when Carlos found out.”

My fingers trace the name on my wrist. Lex’s eyes follow the motion.