Bridges Burned (Going Down in Flames #2)(4)

“Thanks for the books.” Bryn opened the door so they could leave.

Zavien stood in the hall with his hand raised to knock. His eyebrows went up at the sight of the two Blue males. “What are you doing here?”

Jaxon wore a serious expression. “I stopped by to talk to my future wife about names for our offspring. Sadly, your name didn’t make the list.”

Zavien’s gaze darted back and forth between Jaxon and Bryn. “Tell me he’s joking.”

Before she could speak, Quentin said, “Sorry, it’s true. Your name didn’t make the cut. I believe they settled on Leonard and Beatrice.”

“They were just leaving.” Bryn pushed Jaxon out the door and then grabbed Zavien’s arm and tugged him inside.

He caught sight of the present on the table. His eyebrows slammed together. “What’s that?”

“Nothing exciting, it’s my new books.”

“Really?” He crossed his arms over his chest. “Open it.”

Where was this pissy attitude coming from? “Open the damn box yourself.”





Chapter Two


In two quick strides, Zavien crossed the space, and he ripped the paper off, revealing a white gift box. He removed the lid and frowned.

Clint leaned closer to peer inside. “Bryn, you might want to take a look in here.”

“It’s not books?” A small jeweler’s box sat on top of the textbooks. Nabbing the blue velvet box, she snapped the lid open. Dime-sized sapphire earrings gleamed on the silk liner. “Wow.”

“There’s a card taped to the bottom,” Ivy said.

Bryn opened the card and smiled. “They’re from Jaxon’s mom, Lillith.”

Zavien leaned over her shoulder and read the message aloud. “I thought these would make a suitable thank-you gift. Love, Lillith.”

Ivy touched the sparkling stones. “She’s generous.”

“I like her. She’s more like a friend than someone’s mom.” Her gaze moved to Zavien. “Feel better now?”

He ducked his head and shoved his hands in his jeans pockets. “After spending time around all that Blue Clan money, I thought you might be ready to move on.”

Moron. How could he not know how she felt about him? “Money isn’t important to me.”

Zavien pointed at the earrings. “It buys pretty things.”

She set the earrings down and moved closer to wrap her arms around him and lay her head on his chest. “I don’t care about things. I care about you.”

Clint stood and pulled Ivy toward the door. “I sense a heartwarming moment coming on. Call Ivy later to share.”

Ivy objected as he tugged her out the door.

Zavien’s heartbeat filled the silence. Why wasn’t he saying he cared about her? Her throat became tight. She lifted her head and met his gaze. “Don’t you have anything to say?”

He leaned down and pressed his mouth against hers. Happy warmth filtered through her chest. He may be too much of a guy to say he cared, but his actions proved he did.

Knock knock. Was that the door? Too bad. They were busy.

Knock knock knock.

“Damn it.” Zavien stepped away from her. “You better see who that is.”

Bryn opened the door ready to tell whoever it was to go away. Nola on her doorstep made her grind her teeth.

The dark-haired Barbie sniffled. “Is Zavien here?”

Zavien pushed past Bryn so fast, he shoved her into the doorframe.

“Nola, what’s wrong?” He wrapped his arms around the other woman.

What the hell? Heat fanned the flames in Bryn’s gut. She engaged in a brief fantasy about ripping every hair from Nola’s pretty little head.

Zavien led Nola to the couch and sat with his arm around her shoulders.

Why was he touching her? Smoke crawled up the back of Bryn’s throat. If this went much further, she might accidentally blast Nola to a cinder.

“I’m sorry.” Nola sniffled and dabbed at her nose with a lace-edged handkerchief. “I didn’t know who else to turn to.”

Zavien pressed his lips to Nola’s temple.

Bryn gritted her teeth and forced the flames down. She had to get out of there, but it was her dorm room. She needed a reason to leave. “I was going to grab a soda from the vending machine. Do you guys want one?”

Wiping a tear from her cheek, Nola nodded. “That would be great. Thank you.”

Pretending she wasn’t on the verge of losing control, Bryn walked out the door. Once out of their sight, she stomped down the hall and bought three sodas. “They’re just friends,” she stalked back to her room muttering to herself.

Hand on the doorknob, she took a deep breath. “You can do this.” The knob was yanked from her hand as Zavien opened the door from the inside. She lurched forward and stumbled against him. He caught her with his free arm, while he kept his other arm around Nola.

Trying to be a better person than she was, she stepped away from him and held a can of soda out to Nola.

“Thanks, I can see why you and Zavien are such good friends. You’re a sweet girl.”

“That’s me,” Bryn shoved the other soda into Zavien’s rib cage. “Were you leaving?”

“Nola needs me,” he said.