Page 225 of Intense

“Come on. After what we saw the other day, it isn’t a real marriage. This is just another game to you, isn’t it?”

My jaw tightens, but I force myself to shake my head. “That was a misunderstanding, brother.” I take a step closer, closing the space until the tension between us crackles like a live wire.

I don’t often want to smash his skull into a wall, but right now I do.

“Your wife not only had a hit out on you twice, but she was also prepared to shoot Conan. I don’t think you are in any place to talk shit about my fuckin’ wife, Declan. Choose your next words very carefully.” My voice is low.

Declan draws in a breath; he’s battling with what to say to me next. I know him too well. “I’m worried about you, Finn. You’ve changed recently.”

“And that’s a bad thing? You want me to be a fucking robot that just kills people on your command? Is that it?”

He blinks, shaking his head quickly. “What? Fuck. No. I didn’t mean that. It’s just… different. I’ve never seen you in love. Never seen you trust someone, let alone forgive.”

“Sit down.” My order cracks like a whip as I point at the grand dining table.

Conan appears in the doorway, skidding to a halt.

“Shall I leave?” he asks.

“Do you have any concerns about me?” I fire back.

His mouth opens, but his eyes dart straight to Declan. Guilty.

“Sit.” My tone leaves no room for refusal.

I love my brothers, and I would die for them, but Stephanie is my wife, my equal, and now a part of this family. They need to understand that I will protect her the same way I’d protect them. And that I need them to protect her the way they would protect me.

We will give Stephanie the family she deserves. She will never be abandoned again.

They both take their seats opposite me. The room is tense; the only comfort is the glitter of Tower Bridge in the night sky through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Theo’s penthouse.

“Stephanie is my wife and will remain my wife until I fucking die. Do I make myself clear?” My stare shifts between them.

“Yes.”

“Nothing you can say or do will change that. She makes me…” I pause, searching, grinding through my chest for the right word. “…happy. Happier than I’ve ever been in my entire fucking life. She is part of our family now, and she will be treated as such.”

Conan scratches at his stubble, glancing at Declan. “Finn, we have no problem with her. We’re happy for you both.”

“Then what is it? Why are you concerned about me?”

Declan leans forward, voice quieter. “We know something happened, Finn. When we were kids. I remember. I remember you before and then the version of you after. I remember Dad screaming, Mom crying. But the married Finn? He’s neither version. It’s like something happens in life, and you just respawn as a new person.”

My throat closes up. They saw more than I ever wanted them to. All this time I thought I’d hidden it, locked it down so tightly my brothers never had to know. But they did. They’ve respected my silence, but they’ve always known.

“Stephanie has taught me how to love. How to heal from my past or, at least, begin to.”

Sweat beads on my forehead. My hand twitches toward the whiskey, but I hold back. Could I tell them? Saying it aloud to Stephanie took the weight off my chest. Maybe telling them will kill what’s left of the shame.

“Finn. You don’t have to tell us anything. Just know we are here if you need us.” Declan’s voice is steady, but his eyes flicker with something soft.

I glance toward the stairs, silently begging for Stephanie to come down and anchor me with her hand in mine.

Maybe this part of my past needs to die tonight too.

“Let me grab more whiskey. We’re going to need it,” I tell them as I stand. My hand trembles as I reach for the bottle, my fist clenching before I carry it back.

I pour slowly, deliberately taking my time. “Remember the little girl I used to play out on the bikes with? When we were younger?” My voice is cracking as I direct the question at Declan.