Page 134 of Down & Dirty: Rage

“She was pretty damn impressive, if not crazy. Avery, too.”

“Can agree those two are crazy.” But what the fuck would’ve happened if she had been alone?

Thinking about that scared the fuck out of him. Lyric wasn’t like Bri or Avery, Vi or Indie, or even the majority ofthe sisterhood. She was gentler, kinder. Quieter. Not one to cause issues or be loud or obnoxious.

Her temperament was more even-keeled, like her father.

And fuck, it hit him right in the gut. That was why she was perfect for him.

He needed even. Level-headed. Not prone to losing her shit or spinning out of control, which would make him spin like the cartoon version of the Tasmanian Devil.

It was also why her presence and touch were like a cooling balm when he was ready to burn it all down.

The second he slid inside her for the first time, he knew he’d be doomed. That there’d be no one else for him. He’d want no one else.

It was both a goddamn curse and a blessing.

It was why he’d tried resisting. And, of course, failed.

Now he just needed to wrap his head around that fact. That future.

It would probably be a good time to clue her in on that.

Tucking a thumb under her chin, he lifted her face. “Gotta tell you somethin’.”

She tipped her brown eyes up to him. “What?”

“That ride to the fuckin’ hospital the day the Souls tangled with the Angels of Fury was one of the hardest ones I ever hadta make. But the one today? Not knowin’ exactly where the fuck you were? Not knowin’ what shape you were in? Or if the Souls…” His breath hissed from him. “So much fuckin’ worse, baby. So. Much. Fuckin’. Worse.” He emphasized his words with a shake of his head. “Had the worst goddamn images in my head as we were tryin’ to find you. Never wanna deal with that shit again.”

Her brown eyes went soft and she cupped his cheek. “I’m sorry you were worried.”

“Lyric.”

“Yes?”

“Just found you, baby. Don’t wanna lose you already.”

Her eyebrows knitted together. “What are you saying? We’ve known each other our whole lives.”

“Not like we do now.”

“Simply because we had sex a couple of times?”

“No. Ain’t ‘cause of havin’ sex. Bottom line is, ain’t just sex. That’s the fuckin’ problem. Heard my father—hell, even my uncle—say that they became so much more vulnerable once they found their ol’ ladies.”

They were more than ol’ ladies, their women were soulmates. And if something happened to half of their soul, it would be devastating.

“Ol’ ladies,” she repeated. “But I’m not your ol’ lady.”

His heart was thumping like a bass drum in his chest. “Yeah. Know it. But ain’t stupid enough to deny we’re headin’ down that road.”

Her lips parted and a breath rushed from her. “We are? Did you forget to tell me this?”

“You don’t want that?” Was he wrong?

“Of course I do, but I’ve had to convince you to make a move on me. Twice.”

Of course, fucking Lyric twice wasn’t enough. He wanted to do it every day for the rest of his life.