Page 97 of Briar

River reaches over and gathers the parts of him splashed across her beautiful face. She sucks it from his fingers, watching him silently.

Jenson looks at me, and I shake my head.I want the rest of the night.

I want to take care of her. To run her a bath, wash her hair, and curl up behind her in bed.

Jenson frowns.We need a bigger bed.

One that we can all comfortably fit in.

Build one then.

His eyebrows fly up.

Spend more time doing the things you enjoy. You enjoy building things. Fixing things. Make us a bed, J.

Spinning, I turn for the bathroom.I’ll think of you when I’m washing her hair, by the way.

His curse has me grinning.

Jenson

River and Kai lean against the wall beside me. The dance floor at Mystic is full, but our eyes are pinned on the girl currently dancing as if she’s put her finger into an electric socket and switched it on.

That is… something.

Beside her, Briar is grinning, dancing her arms above her head as Dove nearly takes out a nearby tray of glasses with her enthusiastic leaping.

I’m not entirely sure that I approve of their growing friendship, but she makes her own choices.

“Are you sure about this?” River keeps his voice low. Next to him, Kai has a small smile on his face as Briar waves to him.

Dove waves back to Briar as if it was intended for her, and she tips her head back in a laugh before she makes her way through the crowd.

“It’s time.” I glance to him. “It won’t change everything.”

But enough. Enough for me to loosen the chains of my past that feel like a noose around my neck.

Laughing, Briar throws her arms around Kai. “Dance with me.”

He doesn’t dance. Ever. But he follows her without looking back.

When they get back, I take Briar’s hand in mine. “Ready?”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

I promised she could be here, but I still stiffen as we head into the back. The ring is empty, the room closed off, but the six people who turn to face us still make me want to check that my gun is still in its holster.

“Jenson.” Alyss Lidell tips her head to the side. Curiosity sparks. “Who’s this?”

Briar bounces past me. “Hi! I’m Briar.”

Alyss glances at me before taking her outstretched hand. “Well, this is interesting. You’re joining us for this meeting?”

I nod. Buck grins behind Alyss, but he snaps his mouth closed when I glare at him. “She is.”

“Let’s get on with it, then.” Alyss settles back. “Why am I here, Jenson?”

I don’t hesitate. “I’m dissolving the Diamonds. Splitting my territory between you and Keenan.”