Page 103 of Dallas Rivals

I pause, searching Cala’s eyes. My words come out quietly, but with all the weight I feel. “What I mean is... I need you to trust me.” I squeeze her hand a little tighter, grounding myself in her presence. “You’re the reason I don’t have nightmares anymore—the reason I fall asleep wanting someone’s touch instead of dreading it.” My voice trembles with honesty. “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to find someone like you.” My stupid voice cracks halfway through.

Cala leans in and presses a quick kiss to my lips.

When she starts to pull away, I catch her mouth again, claiming another kiss—deeper, slower, hungrier.

“That’s gross!”

We break into laughter against each other’s lips, but our hands stay locked—and I’m pretty sure our hearts do too.

By the end of the day, the women head upstairs, and the brothers stay behind in the living room.

The fireplace crackles softly, painting the walls in shades of orange and red.

The lights are dim. Each of us has a glass in hand—two on one couch, two on the other.

Astro sleeps peacefully at my feet.

Out of all my brothers, Luca’s usually the quiet one, so it doesn’t surprise me that he hasn’t said much all night. But now, “Should we start preparing for the wedding?” he asks, eyes locked on me.

I take a longer sip of whiskey than usual. The burn feels good.

All three of them are watching me, waiting for an answer.

“Did I rush you when you were with the Green sisters?”

“Yes,” Silas and Luca say in unison.

I shake my head and exhale, hiding a smile behind my glass.

“It’s not that simple.”

My gaze drifts toward the stairs, wishing I could just go up there—to her.

Killian leans forward, elbows on his knees, rolling the ice around in his glass.

“Whatever you decide to do, you’ve got our full support.”

“That’s right,” Silas adds. “But don’t take too long to decide. You don’t want to let her slip away. That’s the same advice you all gave me about Lauren, and I thank you for it every damn day.”

I nod, but inside, worry is gnawing at me.

“Lucien doesn’t know,” I admit quietly. “And she doesn’t want him to.”

“Why not?” asks Kill.

I sink further into the couch, feeling the weight of the conversation and everything it implies pressing down on me. “The truth is, when it comes to Cala, Lucien struggles with serious issues, especially his overwhelming need for perfection. It’s not just a minor flaw; it’s a major part of his personality. Because of this, he sees Cala—and by extension, anyone associated with her—as somehow inferior to us, as if they owe me something simply by existing. I’ve done my best to change his perspective, to help him see things differently, but it hasn’t worked. If he ever discovered what was going on between us, he would see it as an unforgivable betrayal. In his eyes, it would cross a line that could never be repaired.”

“Damn,” Killian mutters. “And here I thought you two were close.”

“We were,” I say. “But after the accident, everything changed and I don’t blame him. Still, there are new factors now… and I don’t know how much I’m willing to sacrifice just to keep him comfortable.”

“That’s bullshit,” Silas cuts in.

Luca shoots him a warning look.

“Sorry,” Silas says, then leans forward, locking eyes with Luca. “But it is. Tell me something, how many times have you been with a woman and actually thought she was the one?”

“One,” Luca answers. “Always Emma.”