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“Do you like books?” Rome asks.

“I could read.”

“Sure.” Rome shrugs. “Archer, walk me out while they say goodbye.”

I roll my eyes, but follow him out. We don’t speak until we stop beside his car.

“We needed privacy for this conversation?” I ask, crossing my arms.

“Are you okay?” he asks.

“I’m…” I shake my head. “In shock. I wasn’t expecting her.”

“No, we never do.”

“She’s everything I’m not,” I huff.

“And you think she won’t love you because of it,” he says softly.

“I don’t know.”

“She was meant to be yours.”

“I want her to be,” I confess.

“Are you going to tell her?”

“That’s the plan for the day,” I say roughly.

“She won’t judge you.”

“How do you know?”

“Even though you just met, can’t you tell how big her heart is?”

“I have.”

“Trust the process. You deserve her. Brother,” he whispers, stepping close. “She’s your chance to put all the shit behind you. Don’t you want that?”

“Fuck, yeah,” I sigh.

“Will you let me do a protection spell?”

“You know that I can do them.”

“Humor me,” he says, gripping the back of my neck.

“Fine.” I protest, but at this point, it’s part of our routine.

“Protect my brother. Guard him. Keep him safe. Let no one hurt him or his soul bond.”

He presses his forehead to mine, and I close my eyes. His spell falls over me, and I feel the peace and power of his magic. His love comes from years of brotherhood and respect, and I can’t deny how much it means to me. He has been one of the few people I've trusted with everything I am.

“Thanks.” I ease back. “I won’t let anything happen now that I’ve found her.”

“I know the feeling,” he rumbles, squeezing my shoulder. “Come to the store when you’re done.” He opens the car door. “Just be honest. Your past is part of you, and there is no shame in that.”

“You keep telling me that,” I sigh, walking backward.