Page 208 of Blackwood

Lex groans. “Seriously?”

“Yes, seriously. This is history.”

Ellie’s already dragging Cal into the next shot while Mom aims her phone at us like a sniper. “Cade, stand a little closer.Lex, less serial killer, more supportive boyfriend. Bella honey, try not to look like you just got railed backstage.”

Lex smirks. “Can’t help it.”

“Lex,” I mutter.

“What? I’m just saying her glow isreal, babe.”

Before I can fire back, he grabs Bella by the chin and pulls her into a very deep kiss. Like, unnecessarily deep. Like,Jesus Christ, people are watchingdeep.

Mom snaps the photo anyway. “Perfect. Looks like a promo for a very sexy HBO show.”

Bella’s cheeks flush but she doesn’t step away.

“Alright, Whitmores, I need all three of you together. Family shot!” Mom calls, already waving her phone like a damn paparazzi.

“Baby, that’s our cue,” Lex says, tugging Bella out of the shot.

I drag my feet behind Ellie and Cal, throwing on my best son-of-the-year smile while we shuffle into place. We’ve taken about twelve photos already, but apparently this is the official one, so Mom’s not playing around.

We’re standing there, grinning like the perfect little family, but all I can focus on is them. The two loves of my life. Lex’s hand on her hip. Bella’s fingers curled in his shirt. Whispering. Laughing.

God, I love them. Even when they’re being ridiculous. Even when they’re driving me insane. Even when I feel like I’m the only one who hasn’t quite figured out how to breathe without them.

I look away and that’s when I see him. Roman Russo. Striding through the crowd like he owns the damn building, like he built it brick by brick with blood and threats. Jet-black suit cut razor-sharp across a frame that looks like it could snap a man in half. Shoulders broad. Hands steady. One gripping a bouquetof red roses like they’re weapons. The other swinging loose. His steel-gray eyes are locked and loaded on Bella.

It takes everything in me not to step in front of her. Not to shield her from the man who made her, lost her, and now, God help us, wants her back. I don’t like the man. Don’t trust him. And I hate that the loves of my life both come from dangerous families who could swallow them whole all while calling itprotection.

Bella steps forward to meet him. Their voices blur. He hands her the roses. She hesitates but then takes them. Her smile flickers on, too polite. Too practiced. She’s not okay, not even close.

Lex slides up beside me, silent for a beat, then nods toward them. “You’re staring, babe.”

“Yeah. I know.”

“You want me to go punch him?”

“I want you to move her to another country.”

Lex chuckles under his breath. “Same. He wants to playdaddy of the year,but he knows nothing about her. I mean he brought her roses, babe. Roses. Her literal least favorite flower in the world. Fuckers not gonna last.”

I let out a small laugh.

“But hey, at least this is better than dinner at our place. Can you imagine that guy walking through our door?” He makes a disgusted face. “No fucking thanks.”

“It’s not our place yet, babe.”

“Semantics.”

I glance over at Bella again—still talking to Roman, still holding those damn roses—and something tightens in my chest. “What do you think is holding her back, Lex?”

He sighs. Then steps in, wrapping his arms around me from behind like he can shoulder the question for me. “I don’t know, but we’ll get her to move in, Cade.”

I lean back into him, let the weight of us settle. “I love you, Lex.”

Lex presses a kiss to my neck. “I love you too, babe.”