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“You’re selfish.” Titus’s voice was stern. “Even if this thing with Bryce works, it will need to end eventually. What are you going to do when peopleknowwho she is? She’s always been a target because of you.”

“I don’t care if it’s selfish. That’s who I am. Besides, you’re one to talk,” Damen retorted, his tone slightly sharper than before. “You’re even worse than me in this case.”

When Titus didn’t respond, Julian said, “What are you implying, Titus?”

“I was only checking,” Titus said smoothly. “You can’t blame me for trying.”

Julian’s hand, which had been lightly drifting down my arm, froze. “Trying what?”

“To see if everyone would be willing to back off.” Titus’s tone was casual, even if his words carried a veil threat.

Damen scoffed.

“You must be joking?” Julian said.

“It couldn’t hurt to ask,” Titus replied. “I need to mentally prepare, in either case. What about you, munchkin? You’ve been quiet.”

Miles took in a shuddering breath. “What do you want me to do?”

“It’s not about what we want,” Titus said. “Don’t avoid the question. Are you in this or not?”

“We’ve been over this before,” Miles said calmly, even though I heard his racing heartbeat. “Or have you forgotten?”

“Things aren’t the same in this life,” Julian said, a warning underlying his tone. “Everything is going to be different. She’s not even remotely ready for this.”

“It is always, eventually, the same. I don’t care what it takes, or how long I need to wait,” Miles said. “Are you shutting them up any time soon? They are giving me a headache.”

For a second, I had forgotten about the yelling. I’d been so focused on the conversation that everything else had faded.

“I’ll tell them to knock it off.” Titus sighed, moving farther away. “If that doesn’t work, I’ll make them live in the shed.”

Damen gasped as the door closed. “I cannot believe I didn’t think of that!”

“You can’t do that,” Julian said. “You’ve already given them their rooms.”

“I’ll figure out a way. I can demote him.” Damen sounded so certain and so full of hatred. “Somehow.”

“Bianca is the only one who can demote Bryce.” Julian didn’t miss a beat, humor entering his voice. “And I don’t think she’ll do it.”

Damen sounded venomous in his response. “Oh, I think she’ll do it.”

This pretending-to-sleep business was fascinating. I was learning all sorts of new things.

Like the fact that Bryce’s fate rested entirely in my hands.

“You’re awake.” Miles’s chest moved, and his fingers brushed over my forehead. “You’ve got an evil look on your face again.”

I opened my eyes, meeting Miles’s expectant expression. That wasn’t even fair! I hadn’t even planned to do anything yet. “I do not have an evil look.”

“Leave Bryce alone,” he said, his expression serious. “He’s a great asset, and he’s blindly loyal. You can’t crush that because of your rivalry.”

Confusion, and a tiny bit of self-consciousness, creeped up inside. “What are you—”

“You were right to distrust Bryce. Hewaschallenging you. He had no idea who you were and was protecting his position,” Julian said, his hand moving over my arm again. “But, if you’ve noticed, he’s stopped.”

I glanced at Julian, who had repositioned so I could see him. “What?”

“He’s accepted who you are. But he’s having trouble adjusting,” Julian continued, his gaze slightly sympathetic. “I suggest you give him a break. He’s always been overbearing and protective. But he’s shy and doesn’t know how to channel his emotions. Keep in mind, Bryce has been trying to take on your responsibilities on his own. Besides, that family…” Julian’s words trailed off, and his face twisted as if he couldn’t decide how to phrase the next part.