Then he turns and walks away.
I slowly sit down on the edge of the bed.
“I’ll stand here for the rest of my life,” Archer says.
“What, to block the door?” I ask. “You feel tough?”
“It’s not about being tough,” Archer says.
“Then I need to do what I need to do,” I say.
“Fucking stubborn,” Archer says.
“Beautiful and stubborn,” Cullen says.
“Don’t try to flatter me,” I say. “You know what happens next, right?”
“I guard the door,” Archer says.
“I kick you in your balls then,” I reply.
Archer takes out his knife. “Come here, sweet thing. I know how much you like my knife.”
Cullen steps toward me and sits on the bed next to me.
He puts an arm around me. “Whether you like it or not, love, we’re trying to keep you safe. I know that’s not what you want to hear. The past isn’t going to help you.”
“Says who?” I ask. “Maybe that’s what I need. To figure out the past to get to the future. Maybe that’s why Archer is blocking the door. Maybe Faye knows who my family really is. I should have just bugged her from the beginning.”
“Don’t fuck with me right now, Jaci,” Archer warns.
“Take is easy, Amatti,” Cullen says.
“I’ll cut your head off, Doyle,” Archer says.
I push away from Cullen and I stand up.
“I’m not doing this with you two,” I say. “You two want to fight over me? About me? Whatever. I don’t give a damn anymore. I need coffee. Now fucking move, Archer.”
“How about a little kiss first?” Archer asks.
“Since when do you ask for a kiss?”
Archer lunges himself at me.
Knife in hand.
He touches the dull end of the knife to my chin.
Cullen jumps up and he’s standing right behind me.
Making sure Archer doesn’t actually try to hurt me.
Sandwiched between these two mafia enemies…
Cullen leans down and brushes his lips against my neck.
“Go get coffee, love,” he whispers.