U

emotions all at once, and no matter how hard I tried to keep it in check, it just didn't budge. I told myself it

his life could have taken, he was standing here, in f

boy I once loved into a man who looked like he fought wars in his sleep. He didn't look happy, not in t

shoulders, but there was one thing that stood out. He was still as

I wasn't sure where it was coming from, but I had the tiniest urge and push

ctually wanted that. Whatever it was that had spurred that decision though, it didn't last bec

y doesn't deserve anything from me, e

n as I pulled myself ba

y, "we're not interested i

bitterness in my voice, bu

w him off balance, but it didn't. Instead, he smirk

filled with equal parts pride and something I term

ot going to get you anywhere today. You mi

a scene, and attention was the last thing I wanted. People were already watching, and waiting, and while a little visibility w

ow, and the last thing I wanted was to let

second guess myself and my own choices,

ing between Troy and me. I wasn't a mind reader, but I just knew he

ng." I nodded once. "Make s

turned to Troy and the man

ch other. It was brief and almost fleeting, but in the seconds that passed, I co

e my words before I turned away again. We'd ba

. A small gasp slid past my lips, but nothing could have prepared me for the familiar scent of him,

till feel it, but he sounded broken, like my departure had actua

ably trying to get into my head just so he could make things easier for himsel

hat?" I snapped. "Afte

wed, his jaw tighteni

" I lifted a finger, stopping him cold. "If th

Troy's turn to cut him off this time. "Don't,

t's that supposed to mean? Wh

anging into something lower and serious. "

ost l

the one who'd ruined everything you built the moment he got the chance a couple of years ago. He'd

het

he continued, pulling back to the present again.

my lips pressing

thought. "You ju

d machinery. It was me, I was the shield and it was all thanks to my power fuse

ny was all about. I protected their packs for a period of time, and in

stening, his tone professional and detached. For a quic

," he explained. "One year of protection costs fifty million,

at's... excessive." He said looking at me

stead, looking at h

aid. "Is

nd deep down, I just knew I was abo