“If anyone fucks with us, you’ll deal with the wrath of the United. Your city will also lose our protection,” he asserts, and everyone instantly takes a step back.
Their vicious eyes simmer down, and they begin acting as if we’re no longer on the elevator with them.
“See,” Clay says with a shrug. “Nothing to fear.”
“As long as you have a chance to announce your rank,” I grumble, and Brazen takes my hand in his again.
“If you just stay with me, you won’t have to worry at all. I’m one of them, and they know who the fuck I am. No one will even come close to you as long as you’re with me,” he assures.
“I thought you just had a couple of friends here,” I say suspiciously.
“I do, the rest are too fucking scared to speak to me,” he boasts with a smug twinkle in his eyes.
“I wasn’t aware you were such a bad boy,” I chuckle out, and he gives me a sexy-as-fuck smile and wink.
“I’d be glad to show you how fucking bad I am. You never knew everything, baby,” he smolders out, and my knees tremble slightly as he pins me against the wall between the scattering full bloods with gaping mouths.
“See,” he seduces. “Not a fucking word,” he boasts again, and his lips brush against mine.
When the fuck did he get so damn ridiculously hot? He’s always been sexy, but not this kind of sexy. Fuck my life.
“Stop, Brazen. Please don’t do this,” I plead, and I can see Clay squirming uncomfortably with uncertainty of what to do plaguing him.
Suddenly his lips are firmly gripping mine, and his hands begin burning against my sides as he pushes me harder against the wall. I struggle uselessly against his powerful hold, and then I finally find the leverage I need to push him off.
“You don’t fucking get to say my kind is beneath you and then tell me you love me,” I scold. “You don’t get to accuse me of just fucking someone and not knowing love, and then try to fuck me. Just leave me alone. I want to be alone,” I scold, and then I rush off the elevator the moment it dings.
Hale is in the hallway, and I want to just launch myself in his arms. I know it would obliterate Brazen though. I honestly feel so fucking crazy right now. They’re playing a game of tug of war, and I’m the damn rope.
“What the fuck? Why are you crying?” he gasps, and he grabs me before I can pass.
“Araya, I’m sorry,” Brazen calls, and his eyes narrow when they meet Hale’s.
“What the hell did you do to her?” Hale barks.
“He didn’t do anything besides try to make amends,” Clay sighs. “Let’s not fight again, or I’ll separate Araya from the both of you. I’ll let her lead her own fucking brigade if that’s what it takes.”
Hale tightens his grip on me, but I softly start to pull away before Brazen catches on.
“I’m down the hall from you if you need me,” Hale almost whispers, and he’s fighting the urge to pull me into the room with him.
“I’m on the other end,” Brazen snarks to let Hale know he overheard his gesture.
“Don’t you have friends here to be contacting?” Hale retorts.
“I do, but I want to make sure Araya doesn’t have any problems,” he growls.
“Oh for fuck’s sake. I’ll go tuck Araya into bed if it will shut the two of you up,” Clay admonishes, and he rips me away from the pissing match in play.
“You should have left me behind,” I huff.
“I couldn’t. I need Hale, and he refused to come without you. It’s been a difficult three years for him, and now that he has you, he’s not going to risk ever losing you again. I owe it to him to give him what he wants,” Clay gripes, and I whip around to look at him as the door to my room closes.
“What the fuck? So you only brought me to have Hale here?” I screech.
His face drops when he hears his accidental slip, and then he takes a deep breath before starting his climb out of the ridiculous hole he just dug.
“I brought you as a favor to him, but also because I’ve been far too overprotective of you. You were always good in the field - great even. You would have had your own platoon by now if it hadn’t been for the kidnapping. Knowing what could have happened to you scares the hell out of me. Not just because you could have leveled everything around you for who knows how long, but because we almost lost you. You’re my oldest friend, and you’re the voice of reason in every insane conversation. You helped me make commander, and you’re always on my side.”
