Chapter 1
Locke
Everything hurts. Everything always fucking 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 happening because of 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. They touched her. 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?”
“Doesn’t matter.” His reply is instant and dismissive. “I blocked the signals and wiped the devices of everyone present. There’s no remaining proof. It’s their word against ours. And since they don’t want to lose this job…”
“And since the man who confessed to assault is in custody…” Joey grouses.
What the hell was Kendrick thinking, taking my place like that? I wasn’t in my right mind when I lashed out and hit the reporter, but I would have accepted the consequences of my actions. But then Kendrick stepped up.
Confessed to a crime he didn’t commit.
Fuck. What I wouldn’t do to hit rewind. If I’d known one of my brothers would take the fall for me, would I have lashed out like that? Hell no.
I lean against the vanity at my back, then sink down to the floor. “Why would he do that for me?” I groan into my hands.
K’s got big dreams and a squeaky-clean reputation. He’s a shoo-in for the pros. A mark like this on his record could destroy it all.
“He told you.” Kylian’s still focused on his device, his thumbs flying across the screen. “He said he did it for you and for her. For everything we’re going to be.”
“Kylian…” Josephine’s tone is subdued, but it’s a warning, nevertheless.
I don’t bother lifting my head, even when Kylian squats in front of me.
“Nicky, look at me.”
Despite the unfamiliar level of intimacy his proximity brings, I take a long breath in and obey.
Because a kind of blanket trust is forming between us, knitting together this new relationship we’re forging. I might not have it in me to keep it together, and I might not know how to move forward right now, but I have no doubt they’ll help me figure it out.
When one of us struggles, the others hold us up. Right now, I’m the weakest link. As much as I hate it, I need them to navigate whatever the hell comes next.
Meeting Kylian’s light blue eyes, I open myself up, let him see my truth: the hurt, the heartache, the regret. Kendrick shouldn’t have been the one hauled away. It should have been me. It should have been fucking me.
That realization hurts more than any physical ache.
“He’s okay,” Kylian assures me. “He’s more than okay. He took his meds this morning. Worked out and stretched. We know where he is. He knew what he was doing, Nicky. He’ll be okay.”
“Come on.” Decker offers an outstretched hand, and when I take it, he releases Joey and cups my elbow so he can ease me up off the floor.
“We’ve got work to do. Kyl and I will find out who’s going to set his bail.
Then we’ll figure out whose campaign we have to donate to so that this goes in our favor. ”
Joey scoffs. She should know better by now.
There’s no price Decker won’t pay when it comes to us.
“We’ll have him home by dinner. Why don’t you make something he likes? But maybe rest first?”
“I can’t re—”
“Nicky.” Joey steps in and wraps her arms around my waist. “Don’t let Kendrick’s sacrifice be for nothing. He’ll be pissed if he gets home and you’re sleep-deprived and still hurting.”
She lowers her head and nuzzles into my neck. “I’ll come up and lay with you. Just promise them you’ll rest so they know you’re okay.”
Decker crosses his arms over his chest and lifts his chin, regarding me.
“Steer clear of anyone but us for now. They’re setting up today and tomorrow.
And they’ll be back on Thursday to start the real coverage.
Without evidence, I doubt anything will come of this.
Kyl’s right—they don’t want to compromise this feature, but let’s not give them any opportunity to retaliate. ”
“I’ll meet you in your room,” Joey offers. With one more quick squeeze, she drops her arms and turns to Decker.
“Come on,” Kylian says, clapping me on the shoulder and leading me out of the bathroom.