Page 100 of Hellebore

“Are you saying this is my fault?” I move, stopping inches from him.

“I am saying people keep bleeding around you.”

The words hit harder than any fist.

“You brought a war back with you, Drystan.” His voice remains low, but every syllable is sharpened into a blade. “Maybe Lucille was never the target. Maybe she was just the easiest way to hurt Briar. Maybe Briar is the easiest way to hurt you.”

Rage explodes through me.

I grab the front of his shirt before I even realize I have moved.

“You think I wanted this?”

“No.” He doesn’t even try to pry my hand off his shirt. “I think you only ever look at one person.”

My grip tightens.

“You see Briar.” His voice remains cold, unwavering. “Only Briar.”

“She is all that matters.”

“I know.” The words come without hesitation. “And that is exactly the fucking problem.”

I shove him hard.

“She breathes and you forget the rest of the world exists.” His eyes burn into mine. “You would burn down an entire city if it meant keeping her alive.”

“I would,” I growl.

“Then stop acting surprised when the fire reaches everyone standing beside her.”

The words slam into me.

“Lucille didn’t matter until she mattered to Briar.” Enzo takes a step closer, refusing to back down. “Now she’s lying in surgery because someone wanted to hurt the one person you cannot survive without.”

Rage surges through my veins. “You think I don’t know that?”

“I think you refuse to see what your obsession costs.”

My fist curls tighter in the fabric of his shirt. “I don’t give a fuck about anyone else.”

“I know.” For the first time, anger flashes openly across Enzo’s face. “But Briar does.”

Silence crashes between us.

“She loves people.” His voice drops lower, rougher. “She lets them into her life. And every person she loves becomes another target because of you.”

Enzo doesn’t back down. “She isn’t the only one paying for your war anymore.”

“Enough.” Easton wedges himself between us, one hand against my chest, the other pushing Enzo back.

“For fuck’s sake.” His voice echoes down the corridor. “We are standing outside an operating room. Lucille is fighting for her life, and the two of you are about to start another war.”

Silence crashes over us.

After a long moment, Easton looks at me.

“Briar?”