Page 1 of Too Far

Chapter 1

Locke

Everythinghurts.Everythingalwaysfucking hurts, but this time, the pain rattling through my bones isn’t only physical.

My hand throbs. My head pounds.

But my heart—my heart is fucking shredded.

There’s a gut-wrenching sense of dread percolating in my insides. The kind of fear I haven’t felt in years.

“Nicky, look at me.”

She’s a vision. A fucking vision in a Crusader’s T-shirt and my boxers. Though they might be Kylian’s now that I’m looking closer. What I wouldn’t give to sink into her softness. To let it engulf me like a plush cloud, providing all the comfort I need.

But I’m not the one who needs to be comforted right now.

Even though I lost control. Even though I’m the one who threw the punch.

I’m not the one who was arrested, handcuffed on the beach, forced onto the police boat, hauled to the station.

“Where is he?” Decker rages, tearing into the master bathroom, where we’re holed up. The door leading from the patio to Decker’s bedroom made this the easiest place to seek shelter.

“He’s in shock.” Kylian doesn’t bother to look up from his phone.

“What the hell were you thinking?” Decker snarls at me.

He’s right up in my face, spitting mad and dripping fury.

Bring it on, brother.

“He grabbed her arm,” I grunt, clenching my throbbing fist and meeting his gaze.

I don’t have to explain further. Yet what I did was too much, and what Kendrick did…Fuck.

Decker looks from me to Joey, then down to my bleeding knuckles.

Focusing on her again, he extends one arm and whispers “Siren” in an uncharacteristically docile manner for Decker Crusade.

I give her a nudge. At first, she moves closer to me, like she doesn’t want to let go, but finally, she gives in and goes to him, receiving the comfort she deserves.

He tucks her under one arm, and she sinks into his side. That move alone gives me contentment. She belongs with him. She’s safe with Decker. He can protect her from this in ways the rest of us can’t.

Even if this whole debacle is happeningbecauseof him. I’d almost forgotten that detail.

Fuck.

Yes, he can protect her. Hire more security, set stricter limits for access to the house, use his name and money to keep her safe.

But none of that would be necessary if he hadn’t allowed the camera crew on the isle in the first place.

They’re here because of who he is. Because of the media’s obsession with his family, his life, the entire Crusade dynasty. They’re here because of who he’s destined to be.

Fucking media. Fucking fame. None of it is worth it if she gets hurt—or if she leaves us all because of it.

“This isn’t going to end well, Cap,” I warn. “They were up in her face. Theytouchedher. Filming hasn’t even begun, and already, they’re taking things too far.”

Decker clenches his jaw, assessing me for a moment, then he takes in Joey, who’s doing a poor job of holding back her trembles as she shrinks into his side. Finally, he turns to Kylian. “What’s the damage?”