Page 3

Briar

I grab a broom, ready to sweep out a few of the cockatoo’s cages before the park fills up with its usual swarm of visitors. The air smells faintly of eucalyptus and fresh hay, mingling with the familiar scent of the aviary. From my spot in the back, I have a perfect view of the stage where today’s bird show is about to start, the very show I’d give anything to be a trainer for.

Jenny, one of the lead trainers, steps confidently onto the stage as the morning sun filters through the canopy, casting a warm glow over the space. Her posture is relaxed, and the crowd immediately perks up at the sight of her. I’ve always admired Jenny. She’s skilled, patient, and knows how to keep the audience engaged with every flip of a wing or screech from the birds. I can’t help but imagine myself in her place, commanding the stage, sharing my passion for birds with hundreds of wide-eyed onlookers.

Then, Jenny introduces the new trainer joining her team—Heath. The crowd claps politely, but I know the truth—they’re here for the birds, not the staff. I stifle a sigh and lean on my broom, watching as Jenny effortlessly transitions into the real stars of the show.

My eyes light up as she brings out Chester, the Yellow-naped Amazon, who’s as mischievous as ever. I can already tell he’s up to something. As soon as Jenny tries to settle everyone down, Chester is making a game of it, squawking loudly and darting between the other birds, pretending to cause chaos, but it’s all part of the act. His green feathers flutter wildly as he jumps from perch to perch, riling up the other birds, who start chattering and flapping their wings in response. The audience erupts in laughter, and I can’t help but chuckle along with them.

Chester is the show’s little troublemaker, and he’s absolutely brilliant at it. His antics are what makes the crowd fall in love with him every time, and honestly, it’s what makes me love him too. Out of all the birds here, Chester has the biggest personality—cheeky, smart, and just unpredictable enough to keep everyone on their toes.

Chester’s also the one with the most fans—Chester the Yellow-naped Amazon is practically a celebrity in his own right. Jenny manages his social media, and somehow, Chester has over twelve million followers. People adore him, and not just the locals. Tourists travel from all over the world just to catch a glimpse of him in action. I overhear families talking about how seeing Chester is the highlight of their trip. It’s wild to think that a bird can be more famous than most people, but Chester earns it with every mischievous squawk and playful dive off the perch.

I chuckle to myself as Chester cracks another joke, his sharp little beak snapping playfully as the crowd roars with laughter. My heart swells with pride, but I’m quickly reminded I still have a job to do. I push my broom across the floor of the aviary, sweeping up bits of feathers and stray twigs while glancing up at the show. It’s hard to stay focused with Chester putting on his performance, but I force myself to get back to the task at hand.

As I finish up with one of the cockatoo cages, something catches my eye—movement near the restricted area behind the enclosures. I squint, spotting a man slipping around the corner where only staff are allowed. My stomach tightens immediately. That area is off-limits to the public.

I put down my broom and step forward, my heart pounding as I call out, “Excuse me, you’re not supposed to be back here.”

The man steps out from behind the shade, and my breath catches in my throat as my eyes lock with his cold, familiar blue ones. Jason. My pulse quickens, and a chill runs down my spine. Of all the people I didn’t want to see today—or ever—it has to be him.

He’s wearing that smirk I’ve grown to hate, the one that used to make me feel special, but now it just makes my skin crawl. His blonde hair is tousled like he hasn’t bothered to comb it, and the slight shadow of stubble on his jaw suggests he’s been living in the same state of disarray since we split. But it’s his eyes that unsettle me the most—those piercing blue eyes that used to hold charm, now sharp and unreadable.

“I just had to see you,” he says, stepping closer, his voice low and uninvited in the otherwise peaceful aviary.

I take a step back, instinctively putting distance between us. “Jason, you’re not allowed to be here.” My voice is firmer than I expected, but there’s a tremor beneath the surface I hope he doesn’t catch.

He ignores my words, taking another step toward me, his presence invading my personal space like a thick, suffocating fog. “I know,” he says, his gaze never leaving mine, “but you won’t return my calls. I had to see you.”

There’s an edge to his tone, something desperate that sends alarm bells ringing in my head. I’ve been trying to avoid this confrontation for weeks, dodging his texts, ignoring his voicemails. But here he is, standing right in front of me, uninvited and unwelcome.

I glance around quickly, hoping someone might walk by, but the back area is secluded. Just me and Jason.

“There. You saw me.” I hold my hands up in a gesture of surrender, trying to convey just how much I want him to leave. “Now, go away.”

Jason’s face twists into a hurt expression, and he takes a step closer, his eyes narrowing with a mix of frustration and something darker. “Ouch, you’re being so rude, Briar. Can we just talk?”

I cross my arms over my chest in a defensive stance. I force myself to meet his gaze, though every second he’s near feels like an assault on my sense of safety. “Fine, let’s talk. Want to talk about how you lied to me? How you cheated on me?”

Jason’s expression shifts, and he moves in closer, grabbing my upper arm with a grip that’s firmer than I’d like. Almost painful. His touch sends a shiver down my spine. “No, I don’t want to talk about that. I saw you staring at the guy you work with.”

“Who, Perry?” I blink in disbelief. “You can’t be serious.”

“I don’t like when you stare at other men. I should be the only one you’re staring at.” His voice is low, almost possessive, and I can see the possessive glint in his eyes. It’s both unsettling and enraging.

This can’t be happening. My gaze drops to where his hand is still clamped around my arm. “Let go of me, Jason.”

“Or what?” he retorts, his eyes flashing with a dangerous intensity that makes my heart race. There’s something almost menacing in his gaze, and I feel a pang of fear mix with my anger.

“I’ll scream,” I warn, my voice steady despite the knot of anxiety tightening in my stomach. I brace myself and lift my knee sharply, connecting with his groin in a swift, deliberate motion. He drops my arm, his face contorting into a grimace of pain.

“Goddammit, Briar. You hurt me,” he groans, his voice a strained mix of anger and agony.

I take a step back, my pulse pounding in my ears. My hand trembles slightly as I reach for my phone, ready to call for help. The encounter has left me shaken, but I’m resolute. Jason’s presence here, his demands, his invasion—none of it will deter me from taking control of my own life.

I scoff, a bitter laugh escaping my lips. “You’ve more than hurt me. Now leave, Jason. I’m calling security.” My fingers fumble as I pull my phone from my back pocket, the screen bright in the dim light of the enclosure.

Jason’s face contorts into a mock gesture of surrender as he raises his hands, a smirk playing at his lips. “Fine, I’m leaving.” But his eyes, dark and cold, betray his words. The air between us is thick with tension, and I can feel my pulse quicken with unease.

Just as I start to dial, Jason’s eyes flash with a dangerous glint. In an instant, he’s moving toward me with a force that makes my heart leap into my throat. Before I can react, he’s pinned me against the cage door, my phone clattering to the floor. The sharp metal of the cage presses into my back, and I struggle to breathe.

“One last thing before I go,” he sneers, his breath hot and foul against my skin. “You’ll never disrespect me again like that.” Without warning, his lips crush against mine in a forceful, violating kiss. The sensation is painful, like a rough scrape against my dignity and my sense of self.

I squirm and twist, trying to break free from his unyielding grip, but his hold is firm and unrelenting. Panic surges through me, and I push against him with all my strength. Just as I think I’m trapped, a sudden, powerful force yanks Jason away from me. My breath hitches as I see the stranger who’s come to my aid.

The beast of a man grips Jason by the collar, slamming him against the side of the cage with a force that makes the metal rattle. Jason’s eyes widen in shock and anger.

“You do not touch her. Understood? Now, we’re going to get to the bottom of why you feel you can stalk her,” the stranger growls, his voice low and dangerous.

Jason, stunned and infuriated, sneers defiantly. “Fuck you.”

The stranger’s grip tightens, and the threat in his voice is unmistakable. Who is this man? And how does he know about Jason stalking me? I watch, my heart pounding, as Jason’s bravado falters. The sight of him being held back is both terrifying and relieving. I can’t help but feel a flicker of hope as the situation starts to turn in my favor.

Before the man can respond, Jason wriggles free and bolts down the path, his heavy footsteps echoing in the empty enclosure. The man watches him go, a storm of indecision in his dark, intense eyes, clearly torn between pursuing Jason or staying behind.

“Thank you,” I manage to say.

He turns to me, his expression fierce as he takes in my disheveled state. “Are you okay?” His voice is deep and gravelly, carrying an undertone of concern that seems at odds with his imposing presence.

I blink up at him, taking in the full extent of his appearance. He’s older than me, though by only a few years, and his physique is something out of a fitness magazine—muscles rippling under his fitted t-shirt. His face is ruggedly handsome, with sharp features and a strong jawline. His presence is both intimidating and incredibly captivating.

Whoa.

“Wow,” I murmur under my breath, unable to hide my amazement. I’ve never seen a man quite like him in real life. He seems more suited for the movies than for saving people at the zoo. His rugged charm is disarming, and for a moment, I completely forget what he asked me.

He chuckles softly, the sound like a warm rumble. “Are you okay, Briar?”

The use of my name jolts me back to reality. “How do you know my name?”

His gaze remains steady, and he gives a small, reassuring smile. “Your mother hired me to be your personal bodyguard.”

“Oh,” I say, reaching for my phone and preparing to get back to work before Marcie notices me lingering. “That’s all a big misunderstanding. I really don’t need a bodyguard.”

The man leans in, his presence overpowering and somehow comforting at the same time. “It kind of looks like you do. That asshole is definitely going to come back.”

I find myself momentarily lost in his deep, chocolate-brown eyes, their warmth and intensity making it difficult to focus on our argument. “It’s fine. I promise. I’m sure my mother will compensate you for your time.”

His black t-shirt has a logo that’s a circle with the words ‘Maddox Security’ inside, and jeans, and despite his casual attire, he exudes a powerful aura. He smiles, a small, confident curve of his lips. “I’m not leaving, Briar.”

I chew on my bottom lip, conflicted. “Well, my boss won’t appreciate you following me around while I work.”

The man glances around the aviary, his eyes scanning the surroundings with a possessive expression. “I don’t really care.”

I let out a soft laugh, shaking my head at his persistence. “What’s your name?”

“Orion. Orion Locke.” He pulls out a badge and shows me his credentials. I take a quick photo of them and text my mother to verify that this man is legitimate and not some random guy.

When my mother confirms that Orion Locke is indeed the security she hired, I turn back to him with a raised eyebrow. “Like the constellation?”

He nods, his eyes sparking with a hint of something there. Something powerful. Something I can’t quite identify. Something dangerous. “Yeah, just like that. My mother was really into star signs and constellations.”

“Well, my mother is into over-worrying. I promise you, I can handle myself.”

Orion steps even closer, his breath warm and faintly scented, brushing against my skin. His proximity sends a tingle of electricity through me. “I’m sure you can. But you don’t have to, now that I’m here.”

His closeness and the gentle touch of his breath stir an unexpected flutter in my chest. “Oh,” is all I manage to say, caught off guard by the strange but intriguing mix of emotions he evokes.