Page 59 of Danger

“Guess I don’t.”

She shifts just enough to remind me exactly where she’s sitting. “Okay, so what's the verdict? Did I pass the kiss test?” she asks nervously. “Or am I going to need more lessons for that, too?”

I lean in a fraction, keeping my voice just for her. “I think you should be careful kissing a man like that, sweetheart.”

Her brows lift. “Why’s that?”

“Because he might not let you go.”

She gives a soft, disbelieving laugh. “I don’t know if I buy that.”

My hands tighten—not to pull her closer. Just enough to tell the truth.

“You’re on my lap,” I say. “That’s all the proof you need.”

She doesn’t answer, just bites her bottom lip and looks away.

Behind me, someone clears his throat, about as subtle as a shotgun blast. I know that sound. I’ve heard it most of my life.

“Danger, can I talk to you a second?” Trouble asks, already walking away before I can answer.

Winnie looks like she wants to disappear.

“I’ll be right back,” I tell her. She nods, and I help her off my lap.

Trouble doesn’t waste time. I barely make it to him before he rounds on me. “What the fuck are you doing?”

I take one step closer, forcing him to tip his head up.

“What I want.”

His stare hardens. “What is this? What are you doing with Winnie? What the fuck are people gonna think?”

A slow breath through my nose. “Oh, you're questioning me? You trying to be the big brother now? You about to step up and take on everything that comes with it, too?”

“No,” he says. “I’m the one telling you to back off.”

“Why do you care?” I say it with bite. “I know you’re not fucking jealous.”

He looks away, jaw twitching. “It’s not about that.”

“No? Then what’s it about, Trouble? You got Sawyer. Why the sudden interest in Winnie?”

He rubs a hand across his face. “I just want what’s best for her. She’s… she’s a good girl, Danger.”

I laugh, sharp and humorless. “I know what she is. I’ve seen you treat her like a consolation prize since you were kids. Now you want to tell me what’s good for her?”

“So, don’t do what I did to her.”

“That’s what you think I’m doing?”

He shakes his head. “I don’t know, maybe.” He hesitates, then softens. “You’re not just a brother to me. My whole damn life, you’ve looked out for me. Fought my fights. Covered my ass. Protected me from that monster growing up. I want you happy, Danger. Hell, I want you happy more than I want it for myself. But you’ve said a thousand times you don’t trust women. You don’t want anyone getting close to you after Rylee. That tells me whatever that is isn’t good for either of you. My bad if I don’t understand what it is.”

I don’t usually feel shit, but I felt that deep in my chest. Not because he’s wrong—but because he’s not.

I don’t let women close. That’s a rule I made after Rylee. After I learned what it costs when you let someone close enough to leave a mark. Winnie wasn’t supposed to matter. She was supposed to be easy. Temporary. Fake.

Except she isn’t.