Page 64 of Playing with Trouble

I swallowed, forcing myself to calm down.It wasn’t Ford I was angry at.It wasn’t even entirely Christopher.I was upset because I knew Ford was right.

Christopher had never truly faced consequences.He’d always avoided jail time.I’d always been relieved, but maybe…maybe that also meant he never fully understood how dangerous his choices were.Maybe this was the first time he was realizing his actions held weight.

“I don’t give a damn about Christopher and what he has or hasn’t done,” Ford said quietly, though his tone was tense.“What I care about is you.You’remy priority and I want you safe.And the best way to do that is to help Christopher bring these guys down and put them in prison where they belong.This is what I do, Violet.Catching the people who hurt others.”

His voice went rough at the edges and he had to clear his throat.“Please…let us take care of you.And let Christopher make things right.”

I bit my lip, staring up into Ford’s pleading gaze.“I’ve had people break my trust before,” I said quietly.“But I’ve never had someone…want to fix it.”

His expression softened.“Despite everything, Christopher loves you.And he’s young.We all fuck up and hurt people sometimes.”A rueful smile tugged at his mouth.“What matters isn’t the mistake, it’s what you do to fix it.”

There was a shift inside of me, small but undeniable.Something I’d held tight for years…loosened.

“And you?”I asked before I could stop myself, searching his face.This man I’d given every reason to walk away, but hadn’t.

“I just want you safe,” he reiterated.

My throat tightened, and despite everything I found myself testing him.“And if that’s all I wanted from you?”I whispered.“If I didn’t want anything else but your protection.If, after all this is over, I said I only wanted to meet you at the club sometimes for a scene, and that was it?”

The question tasted like fear, and the ultimate truth.

“I wouldn’t be happy,” he admitted gruffly.“Because I’m only fucking human, Violet, and I want so much more than that.”His voice dropped, low and sincere.“But I would respect your choice.I willalwaysrespect you and the choices you make, even if I don’t like them.”

My heart seemed to stutter in my chest.Respect.Not pressure.Not manipulation.Not guilt.Respect.

His words landed harder than any romantic declaration ever could, because no one had ever offered me that before—permission to choose.Ford didn’t just want me.He valued me.

Ford tilted his head slightly.“Let me askyousomething,” he said carefully, watching my expression like he was afraid I’d bolt.“Do youwantto be with me?”

I’d spent so long arguing with myself about whether I should be with Ford, I’d never stopped to consider how much I desperately wanted that.“Yes, I do,” I replied, my voice steady.And because I couldn’t resist, I added, “Why do you think I’m so fucking terrified?”

He chuckled.“You think you’re the only one who’s fucking terrified?You’reterrifying, Violet.”

I grinned.He said it like a compliment and my face heated.For the first time, someone didn’t want to sand down my sharp edges or turn me into some softened version of myself.

“I guess you’d better get used to being scared then,” I teased him, or tried to but the wobble in my voice gave me away.

Ford didn’t make me explain.He just stepped forward and pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly.And I let him, burrowing against his chest because I knew this man would always be my safe place.

“Let me, and the firm, take care of you,” he murmured into my hair.“I have a plan.And Christopher is willing.I know we can pull it off.”

I didn’t like the idea of not knowing everything.I didn’t like the idea that my brother might be in danger.But he was already in way over his head.Ford was right.I had to trust that my brother would do the right thing.Christopher had hurt me deeply by hiding the truth, but the fact that he wanted to fix it?That mattered more than I expected.

I pulled back and looked up at Ford.“Is it okay if I talk to him?”

“Of course,” Ford said, pressing a soft kiss to my temple, the kind of affection I could easily get used to.“I’ll wait out here in the lobby with Chase.”

I walked back into Christopher’s room.He actually looked a bit better.A little more color in his cheeks that hadn’t been there before.“You seem more alert.”

“Yeah.”He cleared his throat.“Ford’s a good guy.I think he wanted to chew me out for putting your life in danger, but he kept his cool.”

“Yeah, he’s very good at that.”Annoyingly good, sometimes.“I just want to ask if you’re really sure about this.Ford didn’t tell me the plan, but I know he and his firm are experts in this kind of thing.Still…you’re my brother.I want you to be safe.”

“I want to make it up to you and I want these assholes taken down.”Christopher gave me a small, sad smile.“I really messed up, not telling you what was happening.I didn’t know how.But I should have.”

I understood, and even appreciated his honesty.“I just don’t want this to cost you everything.”

“I’ll be okay, Vi,” he promised softly.