Page 33 of Property of Heart

Motherfucker.

I tighten my arms and let her know, “Pain in the ass or not, you’re mine, Floraline.Don’t forget the fact that I’m your pain in the ass in return.We’re bound together.I’m not giving up, and neither should you.So, let’s be clear about one thing right here, right now.We don’t walk away or slam doors between us.We face shit head on together from here on out.No getting rid of each other, no shoving away.We carry any baggage together, yeah?”

She swallows hard and croaks, “Yeah.”

I lean in and softly kiss her, feeling my chest fill with warmth to know we’re on the same page.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

–LINA –

Hope.The relief I feel ignites hope for the future.I didn’t expect Heart’s reaction.The disappointment I felt when he mentioned Karev made him handle the shit I was wrapped in, in exchange for having me hit a nerve.

Another reminder of how I’m a burden to everyone in my past, and basically why Karev advised me not to have any relationships.Maybe he knew Heart would be different, forcing him to claim me.I squeeze our joined hands as we walk down the hallway.A smile tugs my lips as I glance down and see his fingers squeeze in return.

The movement is one I feel inside my chest; Heart makes my heart skip a beat.

The line makes me smile wider while I simultaneously wonder, “Is Heart your given name?”

“Nope, it’s Ted,” he rumbles.

I blink a few times and ask, “It’s not short for Theodore, and your middle name isn’t Robert, or a last name somewhere in the lines of Bundy or so much as rhymes with it, right?”

Heart barks out a laugh and stops to take my face in his hands.“No, Lina.My name is Teddy Axel Nichols.”

“Then why don’t they call you Axel?Or Nic?Why Heart?”I ask while my gaze drops to his lips.

Screw getting the answer, I want his mouth on mine.

My question is suddenly harshly answered by my annoying half-brother.“The fucker always goes for the heart of the matter.Cuts straight through the bullshit and goes for the core without any emotional attachments.He’s a loyal fucker, is dedicated, and easy to be around.If any man would tolerate you, it’d be him.It’s why I demanded he’d claim you, and he did.Now, are you two done fucking around?Because I didn’t think you had a tender side to you.Protective and possessive, sure...having actual hearts in your eyes?Fuck no.”

“Fuck off, asshole,” Heart growls.“She’s not an item you throw at someone and be done with it.”

Karev shrugs.“You caught her fast enough when I threw her at you.”

“What the actual fuck?”Heart snarls and lunges for Karev.