Chapter 23

“I’m just going to fuck this up, just like I fuck everything up,” Tai groaned. “I don’t want this. All I have is Raiden, and that’s because he’s got no choice. He’s stuck with me. We’re family.”

“In my experience, family isn’t as strong as it seems,” Indianna said gently. She thought about Rogue, about her mother, about her father kicking Rogue out. She thought of Brandon and Brooke. “You’re stuck with your mate as much as they’re stuck with you.”

Tai covered her face with her hands and abruptly stood up. She spun around and swore when she crashed into someone.

“Shit, watch where you’re—” Tai stopped talking when she felt sparks from the hands that were holding her shoulders.

“Correct me if I’m wrong, but you did crash into me,” Ace said softly.

“Fuck,” Tai breathed. “I’ve got to—”

“I can’t force you to do anything,” Ace said, and he gently trailed his fingers down Tai’s arms. She stiffened, but not in a bad way. “But I can ask you—please, give th