Page 114 of Dangerous Men

She could survive us.

All of us.

“I walked into a fuckingset up, is what happened,” Sydney snarls, picking up another book. “My friends invited me to a luncheon, but it was just… just a trap! Just an excuse for Chase to corner me and call me a whore in front of everyone.”

My jaw clenches. Next time I see him, I’m taking his tongue for that.

“Andthen.” She throws her arms up, still clutching the book. “Thenhe has the nerve to say he’s willingto take me back. Like… likeI’mthe one who did something wrong!”

“And tell the good doc what you did then,” Jade says from the stockroom door. I glance back to see her grinning, leaning against the frame.

“I slapped him,” Sydney says breathlessly. Her free hand clenches and unclenches rhythmically. “I looked right in his stupid face and?—”

I clear the few steps between us in a heartbeat, taking her face in my hands. Sydney stops, shocked, as I stare down at her in wonder.

“I’m so proud of you,” I murmur, running my thumb over the curve of her cheekbone. “So fucking proud.”

She blinks. Then the book she’s clutching falls to the ground with a dull thud, and her hands come up to cover mine, our fingers lacing.

“I wanted to hurt him,” she admits to me in a small voice. “I… I wanted to kill him.”

My grip on her tightens.

More than anything, I want to give this vengeful goddess the world. I want to give her Chase’s severed head and lay it right at her feet.

“Say the word,” I whisper to her. My eyes drop to her lips. Full and red and made to be kissed. Fuck, I want to know what it feels like to kiss those lips. “Say the word, and he’s a dead man, love.”

In the doorway, Jade clears her throat.

Reluctantly, I let my hands drop away from her.

“As fun as premeditated murder sounds,” Jade says, giving me a leveled look. “What Sydney needs right now is a restraining order against that prick.”

I force myself to nod in agreement. Sure. We can do this the hard way. The legal way.

“Let me handle that,” I tell them. “I’ll have the papers drawn up tonight. I know a few judges who can fast-track it. You won’t have to do a thing.”

Sydney’s cheeks are flushed when she gives me a shy smile.

“Well,Ineed some hot chocolate,” Jade announces. “Any for you?”

Sydney nods, but I shake my head. I have other places I’m needed right now.

“I’ll leave you two lovebirds to it then.” Jade gives me a shit-stirring smile and saunters back to the front of the store.

“Thank you,” Sydney tells me. She hugs her arms aroundherself, self-consciously. “For not telling Alec, I mean. And for being there when I needed you.”

She’s retreating, pushing that anger back inside, building up a sweet mask around it.

“Always,” I promise her. I watch that vicious queen slip away from me piece by piece.

I’d give anything to have her back.

40

SYDNEY

“Spill,”Jade says, setting a mug of hot chocolate down in front of me.